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HOCKEY: Izzat, Fitri get surprise inclusion

 A SULTAN, a prince and a former top cop were on hand at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil to lend moral support to the team who will be playing at the Dublin Olympics Qualifier on March 10-18.

    Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) president Sultan Azlan Shah, Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and AHF secretary Tan Sri P. Alagendra watched the team train before 18 players were named for the Qualifier.

   The only surprise was the inclusion of youngsters Izzat Rahim, 22, with eight caps, and Fitri Saari, also 22, with only two caps.

   Fitri will be playing alongside his established brother Faizal for the first time in a tournament.

   Coach Tai Beng Hai decided on 16 players from the Asian Games silver medal-winning side and the two youngsters.

   Sultan Azlan Shah was the first to advise the players.

    "I have been watching the team closely and from my observation, Malaysia have been very vulnerable in the first and last five minutes of previous matches," said the former Malaysian Hockey Federation president.

   "A good example was the Champions Challenge I where we were leading India 4-2, but collapsed in the last five minutes to let India equalise and then win the match 5-4 in sudden death.

    "This must be avoided at all costs in Dublin if we harbour hopes of doing well."   Beng Hai said he has selected the best and even the two youngsters are ready for action.

   "The two players were included as cover for some of the regulars who are slightly injured.

    "However, Izzat and Fitri had also proved themselves during the tours and friendly matches so  should be able to give their best," said Beng Hai.

    Malaysia open accounts against Chile on March 10 before playing Russia the next day. And then it is Ukraine on March 13,  before playing South Korea on March 15.

    Hosts Ireland are last in the fixtures on March 17. The top two teams advance to the final. Only one ticket is on offer for the London Olympics.

    The squad: Roslan Jamaluddin (gk), S. Kumar (gk), Izzat Rahim, Amin Rahim, Marhan Jalil, Fitri Saari, Izwan Firdaus, Madzli Ikmar, Faizal Saari, Shahrun Nabil, Shukri Mutalib, Azlan Misron, Nabil Fiqri, Razie Rahim (skipper), Hafifi Hafiz Hanafi, Baljit Singh, Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin, Azreen Rizal. By Jugjet Singh

Read more: NST

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