The coaching and management staff of the 2023 Malaysian Junior World Cup hockey team are not only of multi-racial composition, but the majority of them have also played in a Junior World Cup.
Heading the list team manager I. Vickneswaran, who is managing the team for his second consecutive Junior World Cup (India 2021 and KL 2023), played in the 1993 JWC in Spain.
Stand-in manager Megat Azrafiq and assistant coaches Tengku Tajuddin and Baljit Singh were teammates in the 2005 JWC tournament in Holland.
Head coach Amin Rahim played in Hobart, Australia in the 2001 JWC tournament.
The only exception is the goalkeeper coach, Roslan Jamaluddin, who did not play in the JWC.
Other members of the team staff include medical doctor Devan Raguraja, physiotherapists Gan Chin Kong and Rodny Charles, and physical trainer from Scotland, John Archbold.
The national juniors are currently competing in the 11th Sultan of Johor Cup in Johor Bahru and have played two matches – lost to New Zealand 2-3 and to India 1-3.
They will play their last match on Tuesday against Pakistan.
This is a crucial tournament for the Malaysian juniors as it will assess how the team has progressed after two playing tours to Australia and Europe, besides playing in the Asian Junior Cup in Oman in May. They will play in the Junior World Cup next month, starting on December 5th at Bukit Jalil Hockey Stadium.
While the results so far may not favor the Malaysian juniors, the team has shown flashes of their ability but unable to sustain it throughout the game.
“There were shortcomings that we have to work fast to rectify before the JWC, but in general, the team has to believe in their ability to play with more confidence,” said Vickneswaran.
“We played well in patches and sometimes destroyed ourselves. These are self-inflicted problems that we need to avoid.
“I have told the players that they have nothing to lose against Pakistan and to go out and give their best for the entire game, but above all, believe in themselves and their capabilities.
“I believe the players will rise to the occasion, although we will be up against a rising Pakistan team.”