Sarjit Singh ready to quit if speedy Tigers miss 2026 World Cup
NATIONAL men's hockey head coach Sarjit Singh is ready to step down if Malaysia fails to qualify for the 2026 Hockey World Cup next August.
Sarjit, who took over in 2023, said the team is in transition with a new generation of players and asked fans and stakeholders for patience and support.
'If we don't qualify, I will step down. No need to blame the players. I'll take full responsibility,' he said at a press conference at the National Hockey Stadium yesterday.
The 62-year-old said the team is progressing under a two-year development plan, though recent results, including a sixth-place finish at the 2025 FIH Nations Cup, show there's more work ahead.
'These are young players. They're improving, but need experience and support to mature,' he said, adding that more exposure to high-level tournaments is key.
Team captain Marhan Mohd Jalil echoed Sarjit's call for patience, saying senior players are helping juniors adapt to international demands.
'The young players have shown great effort. Even when we're behind in matches, we keep fighting. Some are playing through injuries.
'Everyone on the field plays to win and the results show that effort,' he said.
Malaysia finished seventh in the previous Nations Cup and faces tough competition in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers later this year.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
6 hours ago
- New Straits Times
'Nations Cup failure a wake-up call for Speedy Tigers', says Olympian
KUALA LUMPUR: The national men's hockey team once again failed to impress — this time at the Nations Cup — as the Speedy Tigers must now fix glaring flaws ahead of a series of major assignments. The next few months will be crucial for Sarjit Singh 's side, with the Asia Cup in August in India up first. The winners will qualify for the 2026 World Cup. This will be followed by the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in November, the Sea Games in Thailand in December, and the World Cup Qualifiers in February, which Malaysia are likely to host. Sarjit, a former national captain, has vowed to quit as national coach if his team fail to qualify for the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands next year. At the Nations Cup, which ended on Sunday in Bukit Jalil, world No. 12 Malaysia finished a dismal sixth, failing to meet even the semi-final target and losing 2-1 to world No. 16 Wales in the classification match. Across five matches, the Tigers scored 13 goals but conceded 12. They managed just four goals from 15 penalty corners, all netted by Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan. In contrast, they gave away 33 penalty corners, including 11 against Wales. The team's performances were riddled with inconsistency and poor decision-making. In the group stage, they clawed back from 2-0 down to draw 3-3 with world No. 15 Pakistan, blew a 3-0 lead in a 4-3 defeat to eventual champions New Zealand and beat world No. 18 Japan 2-1. In the classification match, they overcame world No. 14 South Africa 4-2. Former international Maninderjit Singh said the Nations Cup served as a wake-up call. "This is a second-tier tournament. Malaysia should have finished on the podium. The fact that we didn't says everything about where we stand right now," said the Olympian. "It's not about the coaches. It's the players. We keep saying the same things year after year — the players just cannot deliver when it matters. "They've not been able to cross the line since 2015. Coaches have come and gone, but the problems remain the same. There's no game management, and mistakes are repeated." Maninderjit added that the quality gap within the squad is stark. "We only have about six players who can genuinely perform at the international level. The rest are nowhere near. Our Junior World Cup graduates — Fariz Harizan, Mughni Kamal, Andywalfian Jeffrynus, Alfarico Liau and Rafaizul Saini — made no impact at all." He warned that unless Malaysia raise their game dramatically, they stand no chance of winning the Asia Cup in India from Aug 27-Sept 7. In contrast, Nations Cup finalists Pakistan and New Zealand impressed despite limited preparation. Pakistan coach Tahir Zaman revealed his squad didn't have any international matches ahead of the tournament. "We created a development squad and played simulation matches back home," he said. "For me, it's about connection and motivation. The players respect me and listen — that's something I value. Our coaching philosophy is about making players understand the honour of wearing the national jersey and recognising their own potential." New Zealand coach Greg Nicol praised his players' adaptability. "Our boys are quick learners. Even with limited tests under our belt, we come together fast and prepare well." Results Final: New Zealand 6 Pakistan 2 3rd placing: France 3 South Korea 3 (France win 3-2 on shootout) 5th placing: Wales 2 Malaysia 1 7th placing: Japan 2 S. Africa 1
The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Sarjit to quit if Malaysia fails to qualify for World Cup next year
PETALING JAYA: Sarjit Singh has set a significant target for himself: qualify for the World Cup next year or step down. The national hockey team head coach stated he would resign if the team fails to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in Holland-Belgium next August and will accept full responsibility. Sarjit mentioned he has the support of the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) since taking charge in March last year but will leave if he feels unable to continue. 'If I think I can't do the job, and if we don't qualify for the World Cup next year, I will resign. 'Don't condemn the players. I will take responsibility,' he said. His comments followed the Speedy Tigers' 1-2 loss against Wales in the Nations Cup classification match, leaving them sixth out of eight teams on home soil at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Saturday (June 21).
The Sun
8 hours ago
- The Sun
Sarjit Singh ready to quit if speedy Tigers miss 2026 World Cup
NATIONAL men's hockey head coach Sarjit Singh is ready to step down if Malaysia fails to qualify for the 2026 Hockey World Cup next August. Sarjit, who took over in 2023, said the team is in transition with a new generation of players and asked fans and stakeholders for patience and support. 'If we don't qualify, I will step down. No need to blame the players. I'll take full responsibility,' he said at a press conference at the National Hockey Stadium yesterday. The 62-year-old said the team is progressing under a two-year development plan, though recent results, including a sixth-place finish at the 2025 FIH Nations Cup, show there's more work ahead. 'These are young players. They're improving, but need experience and support to mature,' he said, adding that more exposure to high-level tournaments is key. Team captain Marhan Mohd Jalil echoed Sarjit's call for patience, saying senior players are helping juniors adapt to international demands. 'The young players have shown great effort. Even when we're behind in matches, we keep fighting. Some are playing through injuries. 'Everyone on the field plays to win and the results show that effort,' he said. Malaysia finished seventh in the previous Nations Cup and faces tough competition in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers later this year.
