KUALA LUMPUR: World No 10 New Zealand beat the national men’s hockey team 4-1 in a friendly match in Gniezno, Poland, on Wednesday.
Malaysian Defender Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan scored a penalty corner in the warm-up match for the Nations Cup, which begins on Friday in Gniezno.
According to Sarjit Singh, the national coach, his players found it difficult to adapt to the bumpy and uneven pitch.
Forward Faizal Saari could not play against New Zealand as he suffered a minor knee injury, but he is expected to return for the second friendly against South Africa.
Will Malaysia Overcome this Setback in the Nations Cup?
“I’m satisfied with the outcome as I fielded six newcomers (T. Naaveennash Panicker, Nur Rahull, Hrsikesa Thaitchana Muruthi, Syawal Abdul Razak, Faris Harizan, Kamarulzaman Kamaruddin and Arif Syafie Ishak). I will field them again against South Africa.”
“I have 20 players and will gauge their performance after both the friendly matches before naming the final 18 (for the Nations Cup).”
The Kiwis, who are preparing for the Paris Olympics, have had the support of established players such as captain Nicholas Woods, Kane Russell, Hugo Inglis and Simon Child.
On December 31, World number 13 Malaysia will open their Nations Cup campaign against world number 16 Pakistan.
