
Sarjit calls up Danish after Hafizuddin's injury in Jincheon
First choice Hafizuddin Othman suffered a back injury during the five-match playing tour to Jincheon, South Korea from May 18-29.
Hafizuddin, who has 112 international caps, suffered the injury in the third friendly.
"Rafaizul Saini (ex-junior World Cupper) played in the fourth and fifth matches, but he was weak in defending penalty corners," said Sarjit.
"I am concerned about the goalkeeping department and have called up another goalkeeper, Danish Afnan Faizal (who played in the 2023 Junior World Cup)."
On the team's performance in Jincheon, Sarjit said: "Overall the players played well with a fast attacking game in all the five matches against the Koreans."
World No. 13 Malaysia beat world No. 14 South Korea with identical scores of 4-1 in the first two matches, but drew the next two 5-5 and 1-1 before losing 4-2 in the fifth.
The Speedy Tigers earned 23 penalty corners and converted five, while the Koreans converted five of 25 penalty corners.
Malaysia are drawn in Group B of the Nations Cup with world No. 12 New Zealand, Pakistan (No. 15) and Japan (No. 16). Group A consists of world No. 9 France, South Africa (No. 11), South Korea (No. 14) and Wales (No.18).

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Sun
10 hours ago
- The Sun
Speedy Tigers fitness at 80 percent for Asia Cup 2025
THE national hockey squad's fitness level stands at 80 percent ahead of the 2025 Asia Cup in Bihar, India. Head coach Sarjit Singh confirmed the team's condition during a squad announcement press conference. He stated that fitness improvements followed almost seven weeks of intensive training at the National Sports Institute. Sarjit Singh explained, 'I mean fitness we have done with the NSI routine.' He added, 'The chamber run (drill for explosive bursts) was good for about six to seven weeks.' The coach acknowledged, 'So we are prepared.' He noted, 'But other teams also are well prepared too.' Sarjit Singh observed, 'As we know South Korea, China and Japan have fitness levels that are really different.' He expressed confidence by stating, 'But we are getting there.' The coach revealed, '(This is) Because after the Nations Cup (in June), we had a few injuries.' He explained, 'So we need to recover from that as well.' Sarjit Singh concluded, 'Hence, we are moving slowly in the right direction.' Malaysia finds itself in Group B alongside South Korea, Bangladesh and Taiwan. The national squad will depart for India this Friday according to the coach. They will play two friendly matches against the host country and China. These matches will serve as preparation before their tournament campaign begins. The Speedy Tigers finished as runners-up in the 2022 edition of the tournament. They aim to secure a slot for the 2026 World Cup through this competition. This requires emerging as champions of the 2025 Asian Cup according to qualification rules. Sarjit Singh highlighted additional tournament significance beyond the title hunt. He emphasized the event as a platform to maintain Malaysia's Asian ranking position. The coach specifically mentioned maintaining number two status in FIH rankings. The Asia Cup runs from August 29 to September 7 in Bihar, India. - Bernama

Barnama
13 hours ago
- Barnama
Asia Cup 2025: Injury-Hit Speedy Tigers Still 20 Pct Short On Fitness
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- The fitness level of the national hockey squad is currently at 80 percent to face the 2025 Asia Cup in Bihar, India, scheduled from Aug 29 to Sept 7. Head coach Sarjit Singh said the players' fitness aspect, which will be decisive in the competition, has shown positive improvement after conducting intensive training for almost seven weeks at the National Sports Institute (NSI). "I mean fitness we have done with the NSI routine. The chamber run (drill for explosive bursts) was good for about six to seven weeks. So we are prepared. But other teams also are well prepared too. As we know South Korea, China and Japan have fitness levels that are really different. But we are getting there.


New Straits Times
13 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Coach says Speedy Tigers are only 80 per cent fit for Asia Cup
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia may be the continent's No. 2 ranked hockey team, but the Speedy Tigers head into the Asia Cup only "80 per cent fit". Coach Sarjit Singh admitted on Wednesday that his players were still short of their best condition ahead of the tournament in Bihar, India, starting Aug 29. The Asia Cup winners will book a ticket to next year's World Cup, but Malaysia's preparations have been hit by concerns over fitness. "Being ranked world No. 12 and Asia's No. 2 behind India (No. 8), our target is to reach the final," said Sarjit in Bukit Jalil. Featured Videos "The National Sports Institute revealed that after seven weeks of chamber training, the players are only 80 per cent fit. Teams like South Korea, Japan and China will be fitter as they are used to military-style training. "But with more than a week left before our first match, I expect the players to improve." Malaysia are in Group B alongside South Korea (world No. 13), Bangladesh (No. 29) and Taiwan (No. 38). They open against Bangladesh on Aug 29, followed by defending champions South Korea the next day and Taiwan on Sept 1. The top two will advance to the Super Four. Sarjit's side will also play warm-up games against India (Aug 25) and China (Aug 27) in Bihar after managing just two friendlies against the national juniors in Kuala Lumpur. "Those matches will help us iron out shortcomings," he said. The Speedy Tigers are expected to reach the Super Four, but Sarjit admitted it will be a stern test. "We will likely face India, Korea and Japan or China. My players must avoid defensive mistakes and remain consistent. I also hope injuries don't come into play," he said. Malaysia have come under fire for their poor results since Sarjit took charge in March last year. They finished fourth in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, seventh in the Nations Cup in Poland, sixth in the Asian Champions Trophy in China, and sixth again at the Nations Cup in Bukit Jalil in June, despite being set a semi-final target. Meanwhile, Group A comprises India, world No. 18 Japan, world No. 23 China and unranked Kazakhstan. The Malaysian squad: Goalkeepers: Hafizuddin Othman, Rafaizul Saini; Defenders: Faiz Helmi Jali, Marhan Jalil (captain), Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan, Amirul Hamizan Azahar, Fariz Harizan, Arif Syafie Ishak; Midfielders: Andywalfian Jeffrynus, Fitri Saari, Nik Aiman Nik Rozemi, Shafiq Hassan, Alfarico Lance Liau, Shellow Silverius;