BHUBANESWAR: Looking on the bright side, it was the first time that four-time world champions Pakistan had failed to beat Malaysia in six World Cup encounters.
That was the only positive in Malaysia’s 1-1 draw against Pakistan which is likely to see Roelant Oltmans’ men finish bottom of Group D and return home early from Bhubaneswar, India.
For Malaysia to keep their hopes alive of reaching the next stage, they must beat mighty Germany this Sunday.
However, off the field, the Germans are not as fortunate as the Malaysians. The German players are not only “underpaid” for their many successes, but they also have to fend for themselves after their hockey careers come to an end.
It's different for the Malaysians though. Our national players not only get good salaries as well as match bonuses from their clubs’, they are also well taken cared of by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC).
In Germany, the national federation does not pay players’, and they only receive money from their clubs.
“They play for their country with their hearts, and I am happy that they play with a lot of passion for Germany.
“They have to study during their playing days as well, because they know that after their hockey careers are over, they have to work for to earn a living for the rest of their lives,” said German coach Stefan Kermas, who is a full-time lawyer.
Life as a hockey player is not easy in Germany, as national star Dan Nguyen Luong would testify.
“My family came from Vietnam, but I was born in Germany and took up the sport because most my friends played the game,” he said.
“But it was and is never easy to balance playing hockey with my studies,” said Dan.
What is he studying for? “A PhD in computer analysis. I know after a short career in hockey, I have to work and there is no other option than to study and play hard to achieve both.”
Dan, who has played for Germany since 2014, has only 46 caps.
That’s unlike Malaysian players who would have reached at least 80 to 100 caps in four years.
Passion would be the difference when Germany play Malaysia, and hopefully our national players have more of it than Dan and his teammates.
-ENDS-
Keywords: Malaysia, Hockey, Bhubaneswar, Roelant Oltmans, India, Pakistan, Germany, Netherlands, Men’s World Cup, Group D, crossovers, Dna Nguyen Luong, Stefan Kermas.
Kookaburras wary of newcomers China
By Jugjet Singh
BHUBANESWAR: World No 1 and defending champions Australia will give newcomers China due respect in their final Group B match of the World Cup tomorrow (Friday).
And China have earned their respect, not only from fans worldwide, but also from the top coaches guiding their teams at the ongoing men’s World Cup at the Kalinga Stadium.
Two noteworthy draws by World No 17 China against England (2-2) and Ireland (1-1) have made the Aussies wary of them.
Australia have secured top spot in their group and qualified for the quarter-finals, but China cannot expect any mercy from them.
Matthew Swann, who together with Eddie Ockenden, helped Australia win the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, said the Kookaburras won't allow themselves to flirt with form against the Chinese.
Swann, 29, knows what’s required to win the World Cup: “Two wins for us. We’re happy with that but we know there’s still a long way more to go.
“We’re not getting too far ahead of ourselves. There’s a lot of work to do.”
China have done much better than the other Asian teams -- Pakistan and Malaysia. Only India are a class above.
However, China coach Kim Sang Ryul is still not satisfied: “We did not play well against Ireland, as we could have taken full points against them. We will have to play much better against Australia.”
China withdrew from the Asian Games in Jakarta in August so that Sang Ryul could concentrate on their fitness, and this has worked wonders as China held two European teams who have often beaten Malaysia.
Ireland had beaten Malaysia 4-1 in the 5th-6th World League classification match in 2015 to qualify for the Rio Olympics.