Malaysia may have created history by winning the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup for the first time, but national coach A. Arul Selvaraj has his feet firmly on the ground.
Yesterday, Malaysia outfoxed Asian champion South Korea 3-2 in Ipoh, Perak, to win the trophy named after former Malaysian Hockey Federation (now known as the Malaysian Hockey Confederation) president, Sultan Azlan Shah, for the first time.
Arul admitted it was a historic victory but conceded the team needs more help in the sports science department if it is to surprise the big guns at the World Cup in January.
“Firstly, I have to say we have received plenty of help from MHC, National Sports Council (NSC) and the National Sports Institute (NSI),” said Arul, a former national defender.
“However, I wish we could have a fulltime psychologist and a permanent medical team to look after the boys.
“I understand NSI is short of staff, and NSC has budget issues.
“Our (MHC) president Datuk Seri Subahan (Kamal), went out of his way to find funding for a full-time strength and condition trainer for the team (Tom Drowley).
“We used to depend on NSI for the strength and conditioning coach, but that person has other teams to train.
“I told Datuk Seri (Subahan) that we needed a permanent trainer, and he obliged. Hopefully, as we prepare for the World Cup, we can get the help of a fulltime psychologist and a permanent medical team.”
For the World Cup in Bhubaneswar-Rourkela, India, from Jan 13-29 next year, Malaysia is in Group C with Chile, Netherlands, and New Zealand.
Before that, the Speedy Tigers will head to Potchefstroom, South Africa, for the Nations Cup, from Nov 28-Dec 4.
“The Nations Cup is an important tournament. If we can finish in the top two, we might get a chance to play in the Pro League.”
The Pro League is an international competition organised by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and serves as a qualifier for the World Cup and the Olympic Games.
Malaysia is in Pool B with Canada, Japan, and South Korea. France, Ireland, Pakistan, and South Africa are in Pool A.
“So, although we won the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, I am not getting carried away,” said Arul.
“The Nations Cup will not be easy as every team wants to play in the Pro League and ultimately, in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“For now, the boys need to recover as the team suffered many injuries. Quite a few of my players played through the pain barrier.”
Arul revealed that the team’s mental toughness is down to Datuk Abd Rashid Harun’s Amazing Camp Legacy in Kampung Danglang, Lenggong, Perak.
Abd Rashid is the president of the VAT69 Veteran Commando Association.
“I salute the boys’ mental toughness, and I would like to thank Datuk Abd Rashid for his help.
“When we went to his camp, it was not about hockey. He helped build the players’ confidence and instilled the spirit of never giving up.
“His message to the boys was that they were ‘special forces’ as there are 32 million Malaysians and 10,000 hockey players, but they were the only 20 representing Malaysia.
“That made them special, and they needed to fight for glory and honour, not just for themselves, but for the country.
“It made a difference to their mental outlook, and we could see that during the tournament. We lost our first game, and critics wrote the team off. But we then won four games in a row to emerge champions.”
Arul said he hopes to have another session with Abd Rashid before the World Cup.
Meanwhile, MHC deputy president, Prof Datuk S. Shamala, said the national body would help Arul and said the team needed high-level matches going into the World Cup.
“Whatever Arul needs, we will try our best to facilitate the requests,” said Shamala.
“I also feel the team may need more high-level matches before the World Cup.
“One way is to go early to India as many teams will be there to acclimatise to the weather. We will try to arrange some matches there.
“In the meantime, we will also speak to other associations to see if they want to play matches.”
