NATIONAL Juniors coach V. Muraleedharan has set his sights on the semi-finals in the Asia Cup in Hyderabad, India, on July 11-18.

Three tickets to the 2009 Junior World Cup will be on offer in Hyderabad, but since Malaysia have qualified by virtue of being hosts, the Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) selected only players who will be eligible to play next year.

Malaysia open their campaign against Singapore, who have also qualified as co-hosts, and Muraleedharan is confident of three points.

Malaysia have Japan, India and Singapore in Group A, while Bangladesh, South Korea, Oman and Pakistan are the Group B cast.

"Even if Singapore field Under-21 players, I believe we will win three points, and then we will have to beat either Japan or India to qualify for the semi-finals," said Muraleedharan after naming the 18 for Hyderabad yesterday.
There will be five new additions from the recent European Tour, where Malaysia only won two of nine matches played.

"I believe the team is now stronger and we will aim for the semi-finals."

The squad: Hakim Adnan, Safiuddin Sahrom; Kazamirul Nasruddin, Sybrie Shamsuddin, Nor Hafiq Gaffar, Marhan Jalil, Noor Khairul Azrain, Khairil Anuar, Shafiq Zain, Hang Edzharsyah, Andika Rahis, Fitri Bakar, Azammi Adabi, R. Nadesh, Fareez Ismail, Faizal Saari, Azreen Rizal.

Coach: V. Muraleedharan; Assistant coach: K. Rajan; Manager: Ranjit Singh.

l IT has been brought to Timesport's attention that in a report headlined "Bleak future for Muraleedharan's squad". which appeared on June 28, a quote which read: "These are the best players in the country today, but they do not measure up, because the schools system has failed to hammer the basics in them," was wrongly attributed to Muraleedharan.

The error is regretted.