Malaysian Men Hockey Team – Impact on new Algorithm FIH World Ranking Points & Other Matters:

Dear Readers, many announcement and bengkels (lost count) are held without valid & clear direction of National Teams. They also said they need more time & patience to be a world class team but saying otherwise such as winning Gold at 2022 Asian Games and qualifying to Paris 2024 and Women Team to be Asia No 1 in 2026. 

But you all have been there for 6 years since 2015 and still at learning curve, unbelievable and you still asking for more time. You are helming a High Performance Sports and main objective is to bring glory to Malaysia.

The strange part that leaves many questions is - What is the Performance Plan of Men & Women National Teams? How the Teams will achieve its target and be Top 10 in World Hockey as previously said we will be top 8 in 2018 and recently said in 2 year’s we will be Top 10 for Men and Asia No 1 for Women. 

Great Announcements but what is the basis or plan that you all have set to achieve the targets. As usual putting the cart before the horse style of management without knowing the real details of International Hockey.

Just to clarify matters, first let’s understand the new FIH World Ranking and observing the matters on World Hockey. Will divide into 2 segments – Men & Women and today will cover the implications for Men and will write for Women next when time permits.

To be honest – our current Performance plan is weak and late in making short, mid & long term detail plans.

Malaysian Men Hockey Team – Impact on new Algorithm FIH World Ranking Points & Other Matters:

Firstly, you have to look at the Event Importance (I), which indicates Importance and numbers given based on level of competition. Bottom line Malaysian Team have to play in Olympics & World Cup as both events give 10 for I. This is where Malaysian team will lose out in world ranking points as we are not playing in Tokyo Olympics and also by non-participation in FIH Pro League the Importance of 5, Malaysian will not get any points and the 9 Pro League teams gap will be widen.

And as for teams like Japan, Canada & South Africa will get many points as playing in Tokyo Olympics that gives importance of 10. If this 3 teams makes to the QF stage and beyond than their points will get closer with Malaysia points and Canada who is ranked 10th will collect more points and it will be tough for Malaysia to break top 10. More so, this 4 teams will be playing as many matches as possible in their preparation towards next year's Olympic Games.

As for Asian Games & Asia Cup Competition (not Qualifier Continental), the Importance given is 6. No allocation of Importance points at Sea Games outdoor level but with more than 3 teams then Importance of 2 or one off Test Match Importance of 1 will be considered.

Only important tournament for Malaysia will be the 2021 Men's Asia Cup as it gives 3 slots to 2023 World Cup in India and the level of importance is at 6. Overall Malaysia Men's team will be revolving by playing matches at Importance level from 1-6 the max.

Malaysia have to be worried for France who drastically improved their rankings from 17 to 11 now. Difference of points only 100, and if France periodization plan and play many tournaments than they may surpass us. And they are rebuilding and in preparation towards 2024 Paris Olympics.

My Question, with FIH Pro League & Tokyo Olympics postponed to next year, how Malaysia team is going to play official test matches with top 9 ranked teams in the World as their schedule is fully booked with events.

As for Sultan Azlan Shah event, the importance will be of 2. It means that the Top Teams playing in Tokyo Olympics & FIH Pro League will be well ahead than Malaysia.

And the delay of FIH Nation Cup, for sure it will dampen further the ranking points for Malaysian team.

The most important assignment will be the 2021 Men's Asia Cup which acts as qualifier to 2023 World Cup where 3 slots given with host India. This event importance will be at level 6. Malaysia need to perform in this tournament to sustain a better ranking points.

Let’s make an assumption:

Next year competition is Asian Champions Trophy, the importance will be 2. Then Malaysia plays in next year Sultan Azlan Shah & 2021 Men's Asia Cup (recognized as Qualifier Event) which is also importance of 2 and may play in 4 Nations or few one off test matches that provides Importance of 2 & 1. Technically, Malaysian ranking will be affected as Malaysia will only be playing at events at Importance of 2-6 and below.

Whereas, teams like Australia Belgium, Argentina, England/GB, India, Germany, Holland , Spain & New Zealand will be playing in Tokyo Olympics (Importance of 10) and FIH Pro League (Importance of 5) which is higher than Malaysian team which plays the events next year at highest Importance level of 2. The gap will be widen for sure based on the Algorithm model.

Currently, Malaysia is ranked second in Asia, it means at 2022 Asian Games level (Importance of 6), Malaysia will only get greater points if they beat India as they ranked 5th in World and cannot afford to lose to teams like Pakistan, Korea, Japan and China as they will gain more points from Malaysia.

Another pertinent point is winning a match gets greater points than winning a shootout which R is = match result (10 for a win, 5 for a shootout win, 1 for a draw).

The 3 i.e R*W*I is very importance in this model Result X Weighting X Importance. Therefore, the periodization of the National Teams must be planned vigilantly taking into the consideration of this RWI.

It shows that today till Asian Games in Hangzhou 2022, Malaysia could only be able to play matches of Importance of 2 i.e. Sultan Azlan Shah, Asian Champions Trophy, Asia Cup (Qualifier), test matches and invitational tournaments more than 3 teams.

Only at 2022 Asian Games & 2023 WC/2023 FIH Olympic Qualifier the importance changes to level 6. Then Malaysia needs to qualify to 2023 WC in India and need to qualify to second round (not as 2018 WC exit after first round) as you will get to play more matches and wins will give you greater points.

Looking at above details of facts, doubt the future is good for Malaysian Men’s Team unless better methodology or thinking out of box discussion and decision are made.

This is a critical predicaments but nobody is addressing this obstacles that would hinder our progress in World Hockey.

Good Luck and writing to allow hockey fraternity be well verse with the journey rather than listening all the “wayang kulit” announcements. And hope people in-charged of National Teams realize this issues and for sure they are lost or do not understand this algorithm system. Anyway, just call for tea and will give free tuition.

Reality bites and great weekend folks…

Next will be on Malaysian Women Team.

P/S - As for Commonwealth Games, there is no level of Importance given in the rankings.