MUHAMMAD Adam Ashraf Mohd Johari is the youngest player in the 20-member Malaysian squad,was unveiled today for the FIH Junior Hockey World Cup (JWC) that begins on December 5 at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
The National team management committee, headed by its chairman and Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) Deputy President Dato’ Ahmad Najmi Abdul Razak announced the final list of players for the tournament at a press conference held at the National Stadium.
Apart from 17-year-old Adam who hails from Kelantan, two other players who were injured and did not compete in the Sultan of Johor Cup (SOJC) in October, namely midfielders Muhammad Addy Jazmi Jamlus and Muhammad Danish Danial Abdul Wahab are back in the squad after recovering from injuries.
Team captain and defender Muhammad Faris Harizan, forwards Mohd Shamir Rizmi Shamsul and Alfarico Lance Liau Jr will feature in their second JWC. All three competed in the 2021 edition in Bhubaneswar, India, while Shahmie Irfan Suhaimi played for the senior team in the World Cup.
The reserves are forward Eswaran George and midfielder Muhammad Khairul Norizam.
Chief coach Muhamad Azmi Rahim said that the selection of players was based on their performance in the Asia Cup in Oman, the SOJC and also during training.
“The inclusion of Addy Jasmi and Danish Danial will certainly strengthen the midfield department. After the SOJC, we conducted a postmortem of our matches and identified the weakness. I can say that we have overcome the weakness, and the team is playing much better,” added Amin.
“Adam is among the youngest in the team, and he has the potential to play better in the coming years. Giving him this exposure will benefit the team for the next Junior World Cup,” said Amin.
“I understand Chile have several players who are 16 years of age, and we will not underestimate them in our first match. I am certain they have good qualities and strength to be included in the team.”
The Malaysian Team:
Goalkeepers: Muhamad Rafaizul Mohamed Sani; Muhamad Danish Afnan Mohd Faizal.
Defenders: Muhamad Faris Harizan, Azmil Muizuddin Misron, Andywalfian Jeffrynus, Wan Muhammad Najmi Ahmad Dzaib, Ahmad Suhaimi Kamaruddin.
Midfielders: Alfarico Lance Liau Jr, Mughni Mohamed Kamal, Muhamad Adam Ashraf, Muhamad Danish Aiman, Muhamad Addy Jazmi Jamlus, Muhamad Danish Danial Abdul Wahab.
Forwards: Shahmie Irfan Suhaimi, Shafiq Ikhmal Daniel Suzaini, Muhammad Harris Iskandar Osman, Mohamad Shamir Rizmi Shamsul, Che Nur Aqilrullah Che Mohd Khairulzi Anwar.
Reserves: Eswaran George (Forward), Muhammad Khairul Norizam (Midfielder).
