Kuala Lumpur, Sep 9 (Inditop.com) Malaysia will recall its star hockey player Jiwa Mohan from retirement for the World Cup in New Delhi next year, national coach Tai Beng Hai said here Wednesday.
Jiwa Mohan is still an asset and will be considered for the World Cup Qualifiers in Ivercargill, New Zealand Nov 7-15.
Malaysia need to win gold to realise their dream of playing in the New Delhi World Cup next year but it will be an uphill task considering hosts New Zealand, China, Austria, Scotland and Wales are also in the qualifiers.
Mohan, an ethnic Indian, retired from national duty last year and is presently playing in the Australian league. He has said he will be available if Beng Hai needs him, The Star newspaper said Wednesday.
“Basically, Jiwa proved that he is still a strong candidate after he helped Malaysia’s campaign in the Asia Cup,” said Beng Hai.
Jiwa will be called up to play in the three-nation tournament the Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) is planning in October.
“We will first invite him for the three-Nation (with Australia and South Korea the possible sparring partners) and see how he fares, and then consider him for the qualifiers.
“Jiwa is still actively involved in hockey, and fitness has never been a problem for him, so if all goes well, we will have him for the qualifiers,” Beng Hai said.
Malaysia are wary of New Zealand and China, but have not discounted the European teams in their group.
“Scotland, Wales and Austria are not highly ranked teams, but then again, Malaysia always had difficulty playing against European teams regardless of their ranking.
“It will not be easy to win gold, but I believe my players will give their best,” added Beng Hai.
The nine teams who have qualified for the World Cup are hosts India, Pan American champions Canada, Asian champions South Korea, Africa Cup champions South Africa, Oceania Cup champions Australia and semi-finalists of the EuroHockey Championship England, Germany, Netherlands and Spain.
Three more slots will be available via the qualifiers in New Zealand, France and Argentina.
rounak