Latest news with #NorSaifulZaini
New Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Young Tigers headed for Liaoning and Chennai
KUALA LUMPUR: The national junior hockey team have received two invitations — to play against the Liaoning Province in China next month and in the All India Murugappa MCC Invitational in Chennai in July. Nor Saiful Zaini, who was appointed national junior coach last week, said Young Tigers need to play at least 50 matches in preparation for the Junior World Cup in India from Nov 28 to Dec 10. "We are happy to receive an invitation from Liaoning to play at least five matches and also to play a few more matches in a tournament in India. "We will also play one or two friendly matches with the teams that will feature in the Nations Cup in Bukit Jalil in June. We are also planning for a playing tour of Australia." Young Tigers will also play in the Under-21 Sultan of Johor Cup at Taman Daya Stadium from Oct 19-26. A total of 37 players have been selected for training under Nor Saiful. They started training on May 14. The training squad: Nor Syakir Saini, Irfan Abd Nasir, Hafiezuddin Ali, Nabil Irfan Yusof, Nor Daniel Nor Effendy, Azimuddin Shakir Kamaruddin, Shafiq Ammar Fahmi Suzaini, Aqil Danial Mat Ruslee, Danish Haikal Saufi, Ammar Qusyairi Abdul Halim, Atif Aqil Zubir, Shafy Shahymm Huzzeini Shahrul Azran, T. Naaveennash Paniker, Danish Irfan Saufi, Haziq Zunnurain Azhary, Alief Adha Akhbar, Shafiq Adam Harris Suzaini, Danish Aiman Khairul Anuar, Handzalah Abdul Hadi, Muaz Bashir Shabri, Khairul Norizam, Wan Arif Faizuddin Wan Ameer Ruzman, Aiman Safwan Hisham, Eswaran George, Amandeep Singh, S. Yashvindraa, Khairil Hakimi Zainol, Nischal Singh, Ghirejdish Singh, Amanraj Singh, Yadiy Saifuddin, Addy Jazmi Jamlus, Khairul Amirin Kamarul Azlan, Haziq Muizuddin Hairul Mizan, Safwan Salihe, Shazwan Shamsul, S. Karthikesan.
New Straits Times
07-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Nor Saiful returns with six-month mission to shape JWC squad
KUALA LUMPUR: "Don't lose to teams ranked below us - that's the number one target." That's the message from national junior hockey coach Nor Saiful Zaini, who has returned to helm the squad ahead of the Junior World Cup (JWC) in Chennai, India, on Nov 28-Dec 10. Nor Saiful, officially reappointed on Tuesday on a three-year deal, faces the tough task of building a competitive team with just six months to go before the tournament. He stressed the urgency of starting preparations immediately to ensure Malaysia - currently ranked 11th in the world junior rankings and fourth in Asia - do not lose to lower-ranked teams. "In the Junior Asia Cup, we finished fourth, and there will be 24 teams at the World Cup. My top priority is simple - don't lose to teams ranked below us," he said. "We want the players to perform well, regardless of their position. That's why preparation is critical. "Our goal is to beat all teams ranked below us and challenge the stronger sides to pull off some wins. "If we achieve that, the players will return better and more mature with a real shot at breaking into the senior national team," said Nor Saiful on Thursday. Nor Saiful, who replaces I. Vikneswaran, had coached the junior side from 2016 to 2020 before stepping down to focus on grassroots development and leading the Tenaga Nasional team in the domestic league.
New Straits Times
03-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Olympian Saiful set to get national job
By - KUALA LUMPUR: Two names were mentioned, but now it seems to be turning into a one-horse race. Three-time Olympian Nor Saiful Zaini is the frontrunner for the post of national junior hockey coach. The other name for the job, I. Vikneswaran, is believed to be not interested. The Malaysian Hockey Confederation will have a meeting soon to decide the national junior coach, and he will helm Malaysia for the Junior World Cup in India from Nov 28-Dec 10. Saiful, 59, who guided Tenaga Nasional to the Malaysia Hockey League treble last year, was also the coach of the national junior team from 2016 to 2020. Vikneswaran, who was in charge of the national juniors last year, is said to be busy with his duties as the president of Kuala Lumpur Hockey Association, and he also wants to focus on his business.
