KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian men’s hockey team will get a chance to sharpen their claws one month before the World Cup, as the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) will be hosting the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) in Muscat, Oman, from Oct 18 to 28.
The World Cup will be held in Bhubaneswar, India, from Nov 28 to Dec 16.
And in Muscat, they will have another Asian Games atmosphere, as the other teams involved in a one-group format are India, Pakistan, South Korea, Japan and Oman.
The team to beat for gold would be Asian champions as well as Champions Trophy silver medallists, India.
Oman will host the fifth edition of the ACT where India and Pakistan have dominated, winning twice each.
The first edition was held in Ordos, China, where India beat Pakistan in a penalty shoot-out.
Pakistan won the 2012 edition in Doha, after a thrilling 5-4 encounter against India and then retained their title in 2013 in Kakamigahara, Japan, before India took the trophy home in the 2016 edition in Kuantan, Malaysia.
Malaysia, who have competed in all editions, have only four bronze medals to show.
“We might use this tournament (ACT) to give a chance for those who are not selected to play in the Asian Games to prove themselves before naming a squad for the World Cup.
“We will see first who the other teams are fielding before making a stand. However, it is an important tournament for us leading to the World Cup as we get a chance to rest some players, while giving others a chance,” said Malaysia coach Stephen van Huizen.
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