Bekas kapten skuad projek 2016, Mohd Najib Abu Hassan, tidak pernah memadam impian ke Piala Dunia Remaja dan berharap keajaiban berlaku untuk Malaysia meraih tiket percuma ke Lucknow, India, bulan depan andai Pakistan menarik diri.
Skuad pembangunan negara meningkatkan tempo latihan selepas Konfederasi Hoki Malaysia (KHM) mengarahkan mereka bersiap-sedia.
Ia sebagai persiapan jika Pakistan selaku naib juara Piala Remaja Asia di Kuantan, Pahang, tahun lalu gagal menyelesaikan masalah dalaman dan terpaksa menarik diri.
“Piala Dunia Remaja ini merupakan cabaran terakhir sebelum menyertai saingan senior. Jika diberikan peluang beraksi di Lucknow, kami harus memberikan tumpuan sepenuhnya dalam sesi latihan,” kata Najib.
Persekutuan Hoki Antarabangsa (FIH) dijangka mengumumkan nasib Pakistan, minggu ini. Selain Pakistan, benua Asia akan diwakili India, Korea dan Jepun.
“Pembangunan skuad remaja masih lagi berjalan seperti biasa, kami gembira dan bersedia untuk menghadapi cabaran Piala Dunia Remaja jika diberikan peluang untuk beraksi,” kata penolong jurulatih hoki negara, Mohd Amin Abd Rahim.
Belanda akan mengetuai Kumpulan B dalam saingan Kejohanan Hoki Piala Dunia Remaja 2016, diikuti juara 1979, Pakistan, Belgium dan Mesir.
Ammar Hakim
Tue Nov 22 2016
Casillas: Real Madrid have to 'put the icing on the cake' with Champions League win
According to Iker Casillas, Real Madrid's wins over PSG, Chelsea and Manchester City will not be complete if they lose to Liverpool.
Berizzo confirmed as Chile national team boss
Eduardo Berizzo will become Chile's national team coach after La Roja failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
Scheffler shoots 66 for share of lead after first round of Charles Schwab Challenge
Scottie Scheffler was one of eight players with a share of the lead after Thursday's first round at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Texas.
Pochettino '100 per cent' at PSG, expects to be 'judged by work', not Mbappe relationship
Kylian Mbappe will not decide whether Mauricio Pochettino stays or goes, according to the Paris Saint-Germain coach.
Mane promises 'best answer' on Liverpool future after Champions League final
Questions on Sadio Mane's Liverpool future must wait until after Saturday's match, even if he teased reporters of a decision.
Mane saddened by lack of African Ballon d'Or winners
Coming into Saturday's Champions League final against Real Madrid, Sadio Mane believes he is in contention to win the Ballon d'Or.
Mbappe war of words wages on with UNFP blasting 'offensive, hateful' Tebas comments
Javier Tebas irked many in French football with his criticism of Kylian Mbappe's decision to stay in Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain.
French Open: Tsitsipas through against "complete player" Kolar
Stefanos Tsitsipas was made to work for his four-set victory against world number 134 Zdenek Kolar at the French Open.
French Open: 'We are responsible for our racket' – Alexandrova heated after racket slam incident in loss
Irina-Camelia Begu apologised after her racket hit a child during her match with Ekaterina Alexandrova at the French Open.
French Open: Halep reveals panic attack in Zheng defeat
2018 champion Simona Halep says she was beset by psychological issues during her second round French Open loss to Zheng Qinwen.