KUALA LUMPUR: Team manager Mirnawan Nawawi fears the growing number of injuries in the national hockey team will dent their hopes of doing well at the World Cup in India on Jan 13-29.
Three players — goalkeeper Zaimi Mat Deris (hamstring), midfielder Nik Aiman Rozemi (knee) and forward Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal (finger) — have been ruled out of the tournament.
Striker Shello Silverius is recovering from an arm injury.
Captain Marhan Jalil and forwards Shahril Saabah and Norsyafiq Sumantri, who all suffered injuries, reported to the national squad today.
Mirnawan is perplexed by the number of injuries in the squad.
"When I played for Malaysia, we never had so many key players on the crock list ahead of a tournament.
"I am concerned as we have an important assignment next month. We need the best players to play for Speedy Tigers in the World Cup.
"Coach Arul Selvaraj has included several junior players in his World Cup training squad. It is a precautionary measure in case the injured seniors do not recover well for the assignment," said Mirnawan, a three-time Olympian.
"Marhan and Shahril only started training today. They have not played competitively since September.
"Arul will monitor the progress of these players. He will likely name 18 players and two on standby for the World Cup."
World No 10 Malaysia will open their Pool C campaign against the Netherlands on Jan 14, followed by Chile (Jan 16) and New Zealand (Jan 19).