Coach expects different ball game altogether against S. Korea

KUALA LUMPUR: After the walk in the park against China in the Asia Cup hockey tournament in Dhaka yesterday, national Stephen Van Huizen has cautioned the team that it will be a different ball game altogether against South Korea tomorrow.
In the Group B matches held at the Maulana Bishani National Stadium in the Bangladesh capital yesterday, Malaysia mauled China 7-1 while South Korea whitewashed Oman 7-2.
"We expect a tough match with South Korea as they also started off well with a big win, 7-2 against Oman. They have called back a few senior players as this is their last chance to qualify for the World cup (South Korea must emerge champions to get a slot).
"We will concentrate on areas that need improvement and hope for a more consistent performance against South Korea. It is important that we take one game at a time, focus and concentrate for 60 minutes," he said in a statement issued by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation.
Malaysia top Group B with three points, the same as South Korea but have a better goal difference.
Malaysia, although already having qualified for the World Cup, are looking for the best finish in this tournament to improve on their current number 12 ranking in the world and find an easy path to the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
World number five India and Pakistan (14) who are playing in Group A have also booked their berths in the World Cup which will be held in Bhubaneswar, India next year while South Korea, (13), Japan (17) and China (18) have yet to do so, Japan and hosts Bangladesh are also in Group A.
Malaysia's best outing in this tournament after nine outings was finishing third in 2007 in Chennai, India. — Bernama