Hockey World Cup: Malaysia must improve to beat Chile

Focus

By SINAR DAILY REPORTER

15 Jan 2023 05:06pm

ROURKELA - There is no time to look back and regret the heavy opening match defeat against the Netherlands in the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup here yesterday, as Malaysia immediately look towards the next Pool C match against Chile at the Birsa Munda Stadium tomorrow.

Coach Arul Selvaraj has identified mistakes that need to be urgently corrected, while confidence needs to be instilled as Malaysia face Chile in a must-win match if they are to retain any hopes of progressing past the preliminary round for the first time since 2002.

Malaysia lost their opening match 4-0 in a game dominated by the Dutch, who put Arul's charges to the sword from the start. Despite the heavy defeat, it was somewhat an improvement from the performance four years ago when Malaysia suffered a 7-0 hammering at the hands of the same opponents in the opening match of the 2019 World Cup.

"Some improvements we must make is that players must take on the responsibility to correct individual mistakes. There were mistakes when the ball carrier was under pressure and the lack of support for the ball carrier," said Arul.

"Most of the mistakes we made against the Netherlands were defensive, especially in one versus one situations and defensive marking, as well as body position in the lower half. We need to emphasise more on this."

Malaysia, ranked number 11 in the world, face 32nd ranked Chile at the same venue tomorrow aiming for no less than a victory. Chile opened their accounts yesterday with a 3-1 defeat against world number 9 ranked New Zealand.

"Against Chile of course, we will change a bit the shape of our playing positions for us to go for the win," said Arul.