Former Pakistan captain and three-time Olympian, Sohail Abbas, has come on board to share his expertise with the Malaysian Hockey coaching set-up.
The 49-year-old, with 315 international caps, 348 goals, 21 hat-tricks, and celebrated for his lethal penalty corner flicks, is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.
He arrived in Kuala Lumpur today from Karachi, on a one-year coaching contract, with the provision of an one year extension.
Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) President Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal, said: “Sohail has been engaged on a one-year contract starting October 1, and moving forward, with extension of one more year. Sohail will also share his knowledge with the men and women’s senior teams, and the national juniors (men and women).
“The national juniors (both men and women) are preparing for the Junior Asia Cup that will be held in Oman in December.”
Subahan was speaking at a press conference held today at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil. It was attended by MHC Coaching Committee chairman Datuk Majid Manjit Abdullah, Sohail, and national senior team head coach Sarjit Singh.
“Following the effort by the Coaching Committee who held talks with Sohail, the executive board unanimously endorsed this initiative. Sohail is a penalty corner specialist. We have discussed with Sarjit and he is fully supportive of Sohail joining the team,” added Subahan.
Sohail represented Pakistan in the 2000, 2004 and 2012 Olympics, and also competed in the FIH World Cup in 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010. He also appeared in the former FIH Champions Trophy eight times from 1998 to 2011.
Sohail, when interviewed, said he has played in many leagues around the world, especially in the Netherlands and Germany.
“I have coached a lot of players there. I am a penalty corner specialist and I have a good record. I have seen the Malaysian team in some matches before and that is why I am here for the improvement of the Malaysian team,” he said.
“Coming to Malaysia I have a lot of sweet memories. I played in many international tournaments here. I consider Malaysia as my second home. I also played for BSN in the Malaysian Hockey League. When I was approached to join the coaching set-up, I saw it as an opportunity to share my knowledge with the coaches and the national team.
“I will share whatever knowledge I have and by the grace of God everything will go very well for the Malaysian national teams,” said Sohail.
Subahan also stressed that MHC had previously engaged former Australian penalty corner specialist and World Cup winner Christoper Ciriello to assist the national squad.
“But unfortunately, he (Ciriello) is not available for a long-term engagement due to work commitment. He came in as and when to help the national team. This time we need somebody to work full time.”
“Not only to improve the penalty corner skills but also to give his inputs towards other aspects of coaching. Sohail is one of the best penalty corner specialists in the world and has agreed to come on board. Tomorrow he will leave for Johor with Sarjit to watch the Tun Razak Cup,” said Subahan.
He will help identify several players who could be of national team material in future.
“The senior men’s national team will resume training on Oct 17 and Sohail will share his input to make the team better. Today he will also attend a training session by the national juniors and also hold talks with Nasihin (Nubli), coach of the national women’s team.”
“His input will be valuable to us. We are taking the lead and initiative to provide the best for the national teams, be it the men, women, and indoor teams. We will do whatever we can in aspect of the leadership in MHC. We want the coaches to take this opportunity to learn, and have a positive approach,” he said.
“We hope the players will also absorb what is shared on the pitch. They must learn from this experience with the top players in the world. We bring them here to help the players and must play their role with dedication and discipline,” he said.
