Shazrul and Shazril the first twins to play hockey for Malaysia

MALACCA: Shazrul Imran Nazli and Shazril Irwan Nazli are set to be the first twins to represent Malaysia in hockey.

The Perak-born boys will feature in the seventh edition of the Junior Asia Cup hockey tournament at the Bukit Serendit Stadium in Malacca from May 3-13.

Besides the twins, the 2013 Project squad will also feature another pair of siblings – national players Faizal Saari and his younger brother Mohd Fitri.

Faizal and Fitri featured in the Olympic qualifiers in Dublin last month. The team, however, failed to qualify for the London Games.

Team manager Mirnawan Nawawi said the Nazli brothers have put Malaysia in the record books as being the first-ever twins to play for the nation.

Making history: The Nazli twins – Shazril Irwan (right) and Shazrul Imran (inset) are in the national squad for the Junior Asia Cup hockey tournament starting next week.

“I hope they will play a big role and help Malaysia qualify for next year’s Junior World Cup in New Delhi,” said the former national skipper.

Mirnawan named the final 18-player squad after the third and final friendly against the Australian County team in Malacca yesterday. Mohd Fariq Saadaon was the only omission from the squad.

The national squad, under coach K. Dharmaraj, are expected to reach the final of the Junior Asia Cup.
Hosts Malaysia are in Group A and open their campaign against Iran on May 3.

Their other matches are against South Korea (May 5) and Japan (May 7). Group B comprises defending champions India, Pakistan, China and Sri Lanka.

THE STAR

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