The Malaysian women and men’s team qualification for the World Cup will begin with the World League Round 2 matches in Singapore and Tunapuna in Trinidad and Tobago respectively next year.
For a start, K. Dharmaraj’s women’s team road to the 2018 World Cup begins in Malaysia hosting the event in Kuala Lumpur from Jan 14-22.
The Malaysians will battle for a slot in the World League Semi-finals and a shot at the World Cup in the World League Round 2 against Ireland, Italy, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Fiji and Wales.
The top two teams in Kuala Lumpur will qualify for the Semi-finals of the World League. The women will also compete in the 4th Asian Champions Trophy between October 29 and November 5 at the world-class Sengkang Hockey Stadium in Singapore.
The tournament will feature the Asian continent’s five best teams – defending Champions Japan, India, China, Korea and Malaysia.
The men’s team, however, will start their campaign in the World League Round 2 in Tunapuna from March 25-April 2. Stephen van Huizen’s men’s team have United States, Japan, Russia, Barbados, Chile and Switzerland for company. The Malaysians are ranked No1 in the tournament.
Bangladesh, however, will host the opening chapter of the World League Round 2 from March 4-12 in Dhaka with Canada, Oman, Egypt, Bangladesh, China, Sri Lanka, Ghana and Fiji in action.
Ireland will also host a men’s Round 2 event in Ulster, with a venue to be confirmed shortly from March 11-19. Hosts Ireland will welcome France, Poland, Ukraine, Italy, Wales, Scotland and Austria.
The Semi-Finals will be held at London’s Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre from June 15-25 next year.
