News

07-09 New Zealand to play against Malaysia and U21 squad Malaysia

2010-09-07 11:09:00

New Zealand will play two hockey matches against the Malaysian national team in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games.

The Kiwis will stop over in Kuala Lumpur en route to New Delhi for the Games scheduled for Oct 3-14 and they have requested to play three matches. The two matches against the national team will be played on Sept 27 and 28 at the Tun Razak Stadium and the third will be against the Project 2013 squad on Sept 29.

National coach Stephen van Huizen said yesterday that the matches would give them the opportunities to work on their combinations.

“The fringe players may also get the chance to play and prove their worth. As far as we are concerned, the final list of players for the Commonwealth Games has yet to be confirmed,” he said.

“We have a tentative list but it is for administrative purposes and we can still make changes just before we leave.

“Therefore no one in our training squad of 31 players is out of the equation.”

The team will leave for New Delhi on Sept 29.

Malaysia have been drawn in Group A with defending champions Australia, Pakistan, India and Scotland.

And New Zealand are in Group B with Canada, England, South Africa and Trinidad and Tobago.

Malaysia have also managed to get a warm-up match against Canada in New Delhi on Oct 1.

“The Canadians have confirmed their availability to play the match and this will allow us to get a feel of the competition venue,” said Stephen.

“I am sure that we will have ample practice to get ready for the Games.”

Malaysia begin their campaign against India on Oct 5 followed by matches against Pakistan (Oct 6), Scotland (Oct 8) and Australia (Oct 10).

The Star