Top teams for Azlan Shah Hockey

Top teams for Azlan Shah Hockey
United News of India

KUALA LUMPUR, JANUARY 25: India, Australia and defending champion Pakistan are among the seven nations which have confirmed their participation in the 11th Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey tournament to be held here from August 2 to 12. The other countries taking part are European champion Germany, Asian champion South Korea, England and hosts Malaysia. Interestingly, after Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) sent the invitation to England, they also received invitation to take part in the 4-nation pre-Commonwealth tournament to be held in Manchester.

This edition of the tournament also being touted as the mini-Champions Trophy will be played at the National Hockey Stadium, which is also venue of the next year’s World Cup.

Most of the participating teams will be new-look sides and under new coaches. Barry Dancer will lead an Australian squad sans Stephen Davies and Michael York who retired after the Olympics. They will also be without Jay Stacy who has been axed from the side Coached by Cedric D’Souza who has been recalled after team’s dismal performance in Sydney Olympics, India will also be fielding side with the hope that it will redeem some pride to country’s hockey.

Before coming here, India will go to Edinburgh to take part in the World Cup qualifier scheduled there from July 17-29.

Indian officials say that taking part in Azlan Shah tourney immediately after World Cup qualifier will pose no problem for the team as players would be in top condition.

England have not named their coach yet, while Germany will also be having new coach as Paul Lissek has been sacked after team’s poor display in the Olympics. Lissek is in touch with Malaysia, Cuba, England and Spain for coaching assignment. Holders Pakistan will also have a new coach.

Other coaches to be watched are Korea’s Kim Sang-Ryul and Stephen van Huizen, who is training the Malaysian. Olympic silver medallist Korea will be looking for revange as they have finished runners-up to Pakistan in the previous two tournaments.

Host Malaysia has yet to win the this tournament which India has won for the maximum three times, while Pakistan and Australia have bagged the title two times each. Korea, Germany and England won it once each.