The national men’s indoor team has set a personal target of making a promising start in the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup 2025 in Porec, Croatia.
Making their debut in the World Cup, the Malaysians are drawn in Group B alongside Germany (European champions), Iran (Asian champions), and Argentina (South American champions) scheduled to take place from February 3-9.
Group A features Austria, Croatia, South Africa and Poland, while Group C involves Australia, Belgium, Namibia, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Malaysia’s opening match will be against three-time champions Germany, ranked World No 5on Feb 3, followed by matches against World No. 12 Argentina (Feb 4) and they conclude their pool fixtures against the World No 2-ranked Iranians on Feb 6.
The team will depart for Austria on Feb 19. They will play four friendly matches against SV Arminen that boasts of several players from the World No 1-ranked Austrian side, before moving on to Croatia on January 29.
Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) President Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal said the national team will also play test matches against Belgium (Jan 31) and Australia (Feb 1) before the World Cup.
“We are among 12 teams in the World Cup.MHC is proud of the team. Although there was no financial help forthcoming in their preparations for the Asia Cup the players were committed and gave their best to earn a ticket to the World Cup,” said Subahan.
“A strong performance at the World Cup could boost the team’s recognition and funding. We do not have a permanent indoor hockey venue, and the national players only receive a minimal training allowance, but they’re not complaining,” said Subahan on Saturday (Jan 18) following the launch of the team’s jersey,courtesy of Mizuno sponsorship.
The players will also promote the 2026 Visit Malaysia Year by wearing jerseys emblazoned with the campaign logo during the World Cup
“MHC congratulates the team for qualifying to the FIH Hockey Indoor World Cup 2025 for the first time. It is held once every two years. I view this as a good start. We are ranked No 1 in Southeast Asia, and No 2 in Asia behind Iran as we lost to the Iranians in the final of the Asia Cup,” he said.
Subahan further added the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the National Sports Council (NSC) have agreed to fund the national Indoor hockey team to the World Cup.
A permanent training venue in Bukit Jalil, he added, will be setup upon the return of the team from Croatia in preparation for the Thailand SEA Games which will be held in December.
“Our men’s indoor team has shown a lot of improvement and the gap between the other nations in this region is not far away. This team will be the torchbearer in the Thailand SEA Games. We are looking at winning two gold medals from the men’s and women teams,” said Subahan.
He also thanked Tenaga Nasional Berhad, who are the main sponsors of MHC, and the Malaysian Hockey League since 2006. TNB’s financial support and partnership with the MHC have helped develop the sport at the national and international level.
National coach Rodzhanizam Mat Radzi said the players have pledged to aim for a top eight finish in the World Cup.
“My players are prepared and motivated to achieve a top-eight finish in Croatia despite the strong challenge. They know what is expected and are mentally ready for the battle ahead,” said Rodzhanizam.
Team captain Muhammad Najmi Farizal Jazlanexpressed the team’s excitement and pride in representing Malaysia at this prestigious event.
“It is the very first time Malaysia qualified for the Indoor Hockey World Cup. We are very excited to play in the World Cup. It is a new experience for us to play with the top teams in Indoor.”
He hopes this achievement will spur development and foster more age-group competitions, alongside the already established Malaysia Indoor Hockey League. He envisions Malaysia hosting a future Indoor Hockey World Cup.
The Malaysian Squad to Croatia:
Goalkeepers: Mohd Khairul Afendy Kamaruzaman, Mohamad Hazrul Faiz Ahmad Sobri,
Defender: Muhammad Najmi Farizal Jazlan, Muhammad Aslam Mohamed Hanafiah, Muhammad Firdaus Omar, Shazril Irwan Nazli
Midfielders: Muhamad Izham Azhar, Abdul Khaliq Hamirin,
Forwards: Faridzul Afiq Mohd, Muhammad Ashran Hamsani, Meor Muhammad AzuanHasan, Shahmie Irfan Suhaimi.
Team manager: Shurizan Mansor
Head Coach: Mohd Rodzhanizam Mat Radzi
Assistant Coaches: Mohd Hanip Che Halim, Saiful Azhar Mohd Afendi, and Mohd Badrul Hisham Osman.
