Clock ticking for Faizal and Syafiq in World Cup push

Syed Syafiq: ‘I have already returned to full training with the team since last week, and throughout this period, the injection has helped reduce the pain when I move.’

PETALING JAYA: Two of Malaysia’s key hockey players, Faizal Saari and Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan, are racing against time to regain full fitness ahead of the World Cup qualifiers in Ismailia, Egypt, from March 1-7.

Faizal is understood to be nursing an injury, while Syafiq is still battling a knee cartilage problem sustained during the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh last December.

Syafiq said he has sought opinions from several doctors regarding his condition and was relieved by the positive feedback, as surgery is not required.

Instead, he has been given injections to allow him to resume training, which he feels is sufficient with the qualifiers fast approaching.

“I have already returned to full training with the team since last week, and throughout this period, the injection has helped reduce the pain when I move,” said Syafiq when contacted.

The midfielder, who is aiming for his second World Cup appearance after featuring in Odisha in 2023, is confident the Speedy Tigers can secure a place in the tournament despite facing a tough challenge in the group stage.

A total of eight teams will compete in the Ismailia qualifiers, with Malaysia drawn in Pool B alongside China, Austria and Pakistan.

The top three teams from each tournament, as well as the highest ranked team that finish fourth, will qualify for the World Cup.

“The qualification format this time is different. We have to go through another round, and we are determined to qualify for the World Cup again.

“We want to perform at our best in the qualifiers and also collect world ranking points so that our position in the rankings can improve,” he added.

Malaysia are ranked 13th in the world.