Despite Speedy Tigers’ thrilling Japan win, time for an overhaul

 

From Amarjeet Singh

Following Malaysia’s thrilling 5-4 victory against Japan in the Asian Champions Trophy, it is crucial to reflect not only on this result but also on the broader challenges plaguing our national hockey system.

While this win reignited some hope, the underlying problems persist – problems that have long stunted the growth of our players and jeopardised Malaysia’s standing on the international stage.

Malaysia vs Japan: a game of missed opportunities

Despite the victory, Malaysia’s performance against Japan exposed glaring inefficiencies.

Malaysia managed three field goals compared with Japan’s two, converted two penalty corners out of 12 attempts, and had 28 circle penetrations to Japan’s 19.

These statistics highlight Malaysia’s inability to capitalise on critical scoring opportunities, something that was also painfully evident during the earlier 8-1 defeat to India.

Our players, especially at the national level, should not be making basic errors such as conceding no-angle goals or ball-watching during pivotal moments. Yet, in this game, we witnessed instances where defenders were caught ball-watching, leading to easy goals for the opposition.

Players failed to capitalise on opportunities in the D-zone, while Japan made every shot count – whether it resulted in a goal or a save from the keeper. These are not mistakes expected at this level, yet they continue to occur.

The lack of extra effort by our players, especially when compared with opponents like Japan and China, points to a broader problem in player development and mental preparedness.

The immaturity in handling high-profile matches is becoming a pattern, one that must be addressed if Malaysia hopes to improve on the international stage.

Millions spent but still poor results

This performance underscores a larger, systemic issue. Despite millions of ringgit being spent on the National Hockey Development Programme (NHDP), Malaysia is still struggling to produce reliable, quality players for the national team.

Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) coaching committee chairman Manjit Majid Abdullah recently admitted that the NHDP is failing.

There is definitely something wrong with the national development programme,

 he reportedly said, and the evidence supports this.

The programme has failed to deliver players who can perform consistently at the international level.

Even national junior coaches have expressed concern over the lack of quality players emerging from this system. Why, I ask?

Is it because of the quality of coaches or the way we conduct the development programmes.

The Asian Champions Trophy has brought this to light, with our team struggling not only against hockey powerhouses like India but also faltering against lower-ranked teams like China, where we suffered a humiliating 4-2 defeat.

The root of the problem

It is clear that the problem is not confined to the MHC alone. The disconnect between the state associations, the education ministry, and the youth and sports ministry is one of the key reasons for the lack of coordination at the grassroots level.

Without a coherent blueprint or collaboration across these bodies, the development of players remains fragmented and inconsistent.

There needs to be greater accountability at all levels, and the burden cannot rest solely on the MHC. If the MHC is to be held responsible for development, then they should be given the funds and authority to dictate hockey programmes at the school and district levels.

It is time for state leaders, ministries, and all involved to wake up to this reality and work together to produce a coherent strategy that nurtures talent from the ground up.

Conclusion: time for an overhaul

As we celebrate Malaysia’s narrow victory over Japan, we must not lose sight of the larger issues at hand.

The NHDP must undergo significant reform, with greater cooperation between state associations, ministries, and the MHC. Only then can we hope to produce players who are not just competent but capable of excelling on the international stage.

The road to the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics looks steep. However, with the right blueprint and collaboration, it is still possible to turn things around.

We owe it to the players, to the sport, and to the nation to ensure that Malaysian hockey doesn’t just survive, but thrives. - FMT

Amarjeet Singh is a hockey enthusiast and an FMT reader.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT