MALAYSIA are just a few points away from breaking into the world No 10 spot, and only No 18 Wales stand in their way.
The senior hockey players edged Wales 4-3 in their first Test on Sunday, and if Malaysia win at Sophia Gardens again today, Malaysia will take over Canada's place.
Malaysia have 1,421.334 world ranking points while world No 10 Canada have 1,422.120 points. Wales are No 18 with 1,006.042 points.
Under the International Hockey Federation points system, in every match, the number of points gained by one team is exactly matched by the number of points lost by the other. Teams will win more points for beating teams ranked above them, and therefore teams will lose more points for losing to a team ranked below them.
That is why higher-ranked Malaysia can't afford to lose to Wales in the second Test if they want Canada's 10th spot, even though it may just be a temporary upward move, because other teams will also play international Test matches soon.
"We are looking forward to playing more international matches after five months of online sessions due to Covid-19.
"On the Britain Tour, I'm working on new team play, new playing concepts and a new team identity.
"And so, we are looking at Wales as just another international match overall," said national coach Arul Selvaraj.
The Malaysian players need a "take no prisoner" attitude as complacency against lower-ranked teams has proven to be disastrous in the past. Wales need to be taken as a serious international opponent, as they almost held Malaysia to a draw on Sunday.
Meanwhile, national juniors coach Wallace Tan will see his boys play against England Under-21 for the third time today at the Bisham Abbey Training Centre pitch. In the earlier two matches, Malaysia Under-21 lost 3-2 and 2-0.