Former national senior team player Faiz Helmi Jali has been included in the 20-member Speedy Tigers’ squad that embarks on a tour of Europe from July 1-14.
Faiz, 32, was among 20 players announced by Sarjit after the conclusion of the final phase of training today at the National Hockey Stadium.
Sarjit also trimmed the national training squad down to 25 players from 30. Those dropped are goalkeeper Adrian Andy Albert, defenders Luqman Nul Hakim and Muhammad Arif Syafie Ishak, midfielders Mughni Mohamad Kamal and Naaveennash Panicker.
Faiz, who has 215 caps and is a defender, last played for the Speedy Tigers during the Asian Olympic qualifier in Oman in January. He was not considered in the new look squad under Sarjit who had focused on building a younger side to mount a challenge at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
The Malaysians will leave for Brussels, Belgium on June 28 and return on July 16.
They will play a total of seven matches during the tour against World No 1 Netherlands, Belgium (World No 3), World No 7 India who will be touring the Netherlands at about the same time, Germany (World No 5) and German club Monchengladbach.
The match against Germany’s national team is classified as a Test match which qualifies the Malaysians for FIH ranking points.
Apart from Faiz Helmi, Sarjit has also included forward Tengku Nasrul Ikmal Hakimie Tengku Abd Rahim who missed out on the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and Nations Cup in Poland.
Regular goalkeeper Muhamad Hafizuddin Othman sustained a right shoulder dislocation (posterior labrum tear) during the friendly match against New Zealand before the Nations Cup in Gniezno. He is currently undergoing treatment and has been left out of the tour.
Goalkeepers Che Shahrul Azmi Che Saufi, who gave an outstanding performance in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, and Muhamad Zaimi Mat Deris have been named for the tour.
“The players named have been progressing well in training. This tour of Europe will help the players gain experience playing against top teams in the world,” said Sarjit.
“After two international tournaments, we (coaching staff) decided to further strengthen the team by recalling Faiz Helmi to beef up the attacking lineup. He has been training with the team for the last two weeks and we have seen his dedication and commitment,” added Sarjit.
The 20-member Speedy Tigers squad:
Goalkeepers: Muhamad Zaimi Mat Deris, Che Shahrul Azmi Che Saufi.
Defenders: Muhammad Marhan Jalil (Capt), Muhamad Marhan Jalil (Capt), Muhamad Amirul Hamizan Azhar, Muhamad Syafiq Hassan, Muhamad Faris Harizan, Muhamad Kamarulzaman Kamarudin. Syarman Mat The.
Midfielders: Mohd Fitri Saari, Nik Muhamad Aiman Nik Rozemi, Shello Silverius, Alfarico Lance Liau Jr, Syawal Abdul Razak.
Forwards: Faizal Saari, Muhamad Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal, Norsyafiq Sumantri, Azimuddin Syakir Kamaruddin, Tengku Nasrul Ikmal Hakimi Tengku Abd Rahim and Nur Rahull Hrsikesa Thaitchana Muruthi.