KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Cup final between Johor Darul Tazim (JDT) and Terengganu has taken precedence over the Junior World Cup (JWC) match featuring Malaysia and Australia on Dec 8.
In light of the football final, scheduled at 9pm at the National Stadium and anticipated to draw a massive crowd, adjustments have been made to the JWC Group A match.
The Malaysia vs. Australia hockey match has been rescheduled from 8pm to 2pm at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
This move aims to prevent potential mayhem and traffic congestion at the adjacent stadium.
On a positive note, early arrivals from JDT and Terengganu can enjoy free access to the crucial Group A hockey match between Malaysia and Australia.
JWC event manager Brian Fernandez said: "The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) has decided not to sell tickets for the JWC, and football fans are welcome to watch hockey on Dec 8 while waiting for their final.
"We took the decision to move our 8pm match to 2pm to avoid a traffic gridlock."
Other teams in Group are Chile and Argentina. The top two teams will qualify for the quarter-finals.
National junior coach Amin Rahim will finalise his final 18 on Tuesday, although the list is already available on the International Hockey Federation website.
Two defenders, Alief Adha Akhbar and Khairul Norizam, have been included in the JWC team, replacing Muhammad Norizam and Eswaran George, who are on standby in case of serious injuries to the selected 18.
The Sultan of Johor Cup team, finishing seventh out of eight teams, forms the core of the JWC squad.
The squad
Goalkeepers: Rafaizul Sani, Danish Afnan Faizal.
Defenders: Azmilmuizzuddin Misron, Ahmad Suhaimi Kamaruddin, Wan Najmie Ahmad, Andywalfian Jeffrynus, Faris Harizan (captain), Khairul Norizam.
Midfielders: Alfarico Lance Liau, Danish Aiman, Adam Ashraf, Danish Danial, Mughni Kamal.
Forwards: Shamir Rizmi Shamsul, Che Nur Aqilrullah, Harris Iskandar Osman, Shafiq Ikhmal Daniel, Shahmie Irfan Suhaimi.