KUALA LUMPUR: Three young players are giving the seniors a run for their money in national hockey's training.
They are midfielders Adam Ashraf Johari (of Kelantan), Alfarico Lance Liau (Sabah) and Penang defender Fariz Harizan.
All three featured in the Junior World Cup in Bukit Jalil last December. They are among 46 players called up for centralised training.
After a series of matches among the players, head coach Sarjit Singh will trim the team to 30 players on April 1.
National assistant coach Sukri Mutalib said Adam, Alfarico and Faris have shown their talent and played well in matches.
"These three players will be considered for the 30-player squad for training in preparation for tournaments.
"We are building a team in the next two and half years for the 2026 Asian Games."
Adam was the youngest, at the age of 17, to play in the Junior World Cup last year. He did not play in this season's Malaysia Hockey League due to his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination.
"I was surprised to be called up for national training and I will give my best in training to impress the coaches. I have the skill and fitness to be among the 30 players considered for the next phase of training," said Adam.