Arulselvaraj shortlists five Junior World Cup players for national duty

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 7 -- Five players who featured in the men's hockey Junior World Cup 2021 at the end of last year are among 28 players shortlisted by national chief coach A. Arulselvaraj for various international competitions this year.

The five are defender Muhammad Arif Shafie Ishak, midfielders Muhammad Amirul Hamizan Azahar, Syarman Mat Tee and Alfarico Lance Liau Jr, and striker Muhajir Abdu Rauf.

Another midfielder, Tengku Nasrul Ikmal Tengku Abd Rahim, who represented Pahang in the Tun Abdul Razak Cup 2021, also impressed selectors to be included in the national squad for the first time.

Arulselvaraj said the shortlisted players would be monitored during the Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) 2022 from Feb 18 to March 31, and they needed to prove themselves to remain in the national team.

“The assessment of players would not be focused just on national players but also others so that they have a chance to prove themselves to fight for a place in the national team.

“My advice to the players is to take full responsibility for representing their teams and their own performance throughout the championship,” he said in a statement issued by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) here today.

He advised his charges to give their best in the league, adding that the national coaches would be stressing on physical fitness and maturity of play.

Arulselvaraj said he would study the MHL schedule to be issued by the organisers before drawing up special training sessions for The Speedy Tigers squad.

Players’ list:

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Goalkeeper: Muhammad Hafizuddin Othman, Mohammad Hairi Abdul Rahman, Adrian Andy Albert.

Defenders: Muhammad Razie Abdul Rahim, Muhammad Marhan Mohd Jalil, Muhammad Najmi Farizal Jazlan, Syed Mohamad Syafiq Syed Cholan, Muhammad Syafiq Hassan, Muhammad Aminuddin Mohd Zain, Muhammad Arif Shafie Ishak.

Midfielders: Meor Muhammad Azuan Hassan, Faiz Helmi Jali, Zulpidaus Mizun, Muhammad Firhan Ashaari, Nik Muhammad Aiman Nik Rozemi, Muhammad Najib Abu Hassan, Faizal Saari, Mohamad Ashran Hamsani, Muhamad Ramadan Rosli, Muhammad Amirul Hamizan Azahar, Syarman Mat Tee, Tengku Nasrul Ikmal Tengku Abd Rahim, Alfarico Lance Liau JR.

Strikers: Shello Silverius, Norsyafiq Sumantri, Muhammad Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal, Muhajir Abdu Rauf, Nur Rahull Hrsikesa Mohd Murni.

-- BERNAMA