NST : We can make the quarter-finals of 2018 World Cup - van Huizen
KUALA LUMPUR: National hockey squad coach, Stephen Van Huizen believes his team still have a good chance of making the quarter-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Bhunaneswar, India come this November even though they have been drawn in the ‘group of death’.
Even though they face a difficult path after being drawn in Group D together with World No 4 the Netherlands, Germany (Fifth) and Pakistan (13th), Van Huizen is adamant that they are still in with a chance of progressing further.
He explained that they were not surprised as they had expected such a draw.
“The situation was out of our hands because the draw is based on rankings and being World No 12 we knew it would not be an easy path for the World Cup.
“However, we are certain that we are in with a chance to qualify for the quarter-finals because there is a slight change in format where only the winners of each group qualify automatically for the knockout stage while teams who finish second and third respectively will have to play a cross-over round to qualify for the quarter-finals.
“I believe one win in the group stage will be enough for us to play for a place in the quarter-finals,” said Van Huizen.
Based on previous meetings, Van Huizen’s squad who are in their final phase of preparations for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup which begins this Saturday, have never beaten the Netherlands or Germany, and to compound matters, first choice goalkeeper S. Kumar is provisionally suspended no thanks to a doping case which is still ongoing.
Malaysia’s best bet for a win is against Pakistan, as if they manage to overcome their Asian rivals then they stand to have a ‘lifeline’ to qualify for the quarter-finals provided they are able to win their cross-over round.
In the draw issued by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) earlier today (Wednesday), Malaysia are scheduled to begin their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on December 1, followed by Pakistan (December 5) and Germany (December 9).
Asia’s No 1 team India have an easier route to the knockout stage as the hosts have been drawn in group C together with Belgium, Canada and South Africa.
Group A has World No 2 Argentina along with Spain, New Zealand and France while defending champions Australia are in Group B together with Ireland, England and China.
Even though they face a difficult path after being drawn in Group D together with World No 4 the Netherlands, Germany (Fifth) and Pakistan (13th), Van Huizen is adamant that they are still in with a chance of progressing further.
He explained that they were not surprised as they had expected such a draw.
“The situation was out of our hands because the draw is based on rankings and being World No 12 we knew it would not be an easy path for the World Cup.
“However, we are certain that we are in with a chance to qualify for the quarter-finals because there is a slight change in format where only the winners of each group qualify automatically for the knockout stage while teams who finish second and third respectively will have to play a cross-over round to qualify for the quarter-finals.
“I believe one win in the group stage will be enough for us to play for a place in the quarter-finals,” said Van Huizen.
Based on previous meetings, Van Huizen’s squad who are in their final phase of preparations for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup which begins this Saturday, have never beaten the Netherlands or Germany, and to compound matters, first choice goalkeeper S. Kumar is provisionally suspended no thanks to a doping case which is still ongoing.
Malaysia’s best bet for a win is against Pakistan, as if they manage to overcome their Asian rivals then they stand to have a ‘lifeline’ to qualify for the quarter-finals provided they are able to win their cross-over round.
In the draw issued by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) earlier today (Wednesday), Malaysia are scheduled to begin their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on December 1, followed by Pakistan (December 5) and Germany (December 9).
Asia’s No 1 team India have an easier route to the knockout stage as the hosts have been drawn in group C together with Belgium, Canada and South Africa.
Group A has World No 2 Argentina along with Spain, New Zealand and France while defending champions Australia are in Group B together with Ireland, England and China.
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