How Malaysia climbed the world ranking without playing a hockey match

 Coalition for Malaysian Hockey Renewal explains the sport’s fluid ranking system after debate sparked by Sarjit Singh’s sacking.

Nicholas Das says hockey’s world rankings are highly unpredictable, with teams able to rise or fall based on matches played elsewhere.

KUALA LUMPUR:

 Malaysia climbed the world rankings without playing a match, as results from two games last week in Japan reshaped the standings.

That is the reality of modern international hockey, where rankings can shift in ways that often confuse even seasoned observers.

The Coalition for Malaysian Hockey Renewal, formed after the recent sacking of national men’s head coach Sarjit Singh, explains how the system works.

It says recent movements in the rankings need to be understood within a broader context.

Sarjit has said Malaysian Hockey Confederation president Subahan Kamal expressed unhappiness with Malaysia’s position at No 15 in the world following the World Cup qualifier in Egypt.

That has raised fresh focus on how rankings are interpreted.

The coalition’s convenor Nicholas Das said the latest shift involving Malaysia, Japan and South Korea offers a clear example of how fluid the system can be.

“This is not a fixed table where you control your own movement alone,” he said.

“It is a live system where every match played anywhere in the world can affect your position.”

A shift without playing

Malaysia finished fourth at the World Cup qualifier in Ismailia last month and sat 15th in the world. Japan, who beat them in the playoff for third, moved up to 14th.

Last week, Japan hosted South Korea in a two-match test series, with the Koreans winning both games 2-1 and 3-2.

Those defeats cost Japan more than 26 ranking points across the two matches, pushing them below Malaysia, who climbed to 14th without playing.

“That is the system at work,” Das said. “You can do nothing and still move.”

“Or you can win and barely gain. It depends on who plays whom, and the outcome.”

How the system works

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) uses a match-based rating model similar to chess rankings.

Put simply:

• Teams exchange points after every match.
• Beat a stronger side, you gain more.
• Lose to a weaker side, you lose more.
• Even draws can shift points, often favouring the lower-ranked team.

Each match also carries weight based on the result, the strength of the opponent, and the importance of the match

“It is dynamic and unforgiving,” Das said. “There is no hiding. Every match counts, and every result has a consequence.”

More than just numbers

For the coalition, the key message is not about defending or criticising any one decision, but about understanding what rankings actually represent.

Das said: “Rankings move constantly, sometimes without you playing. They reflect global activity as much as your own results.”

Malaysia qualified for the World Cup in August through its ranking position despite finishing fourth in Egypt, underlining how fine the margins can be.

“Numbers can guide you but they should be read carefully, because they don’t always tell the full story of performance or progress,” said Das. - FMT