Malaysia Chances - Hero Asia Cup 2022 Jakarta 23 May - 1 Jun 2022

*Hero Asia Cup 2022 Jakarta

23 May - 1 Jun 2022*

Malaysia Men's Hockey will participate in this event and placed in an easier Group B with Oman, Korea & Bangladesh whereas the Group A is called as Group of Death as India, Pakistan and Japan in same group.

There will be a total of 24 matches with top 2 from each group qualifies for Super 4 where this 4 teams plays round robin to be placed in Finals and 3/4 position.

Due to pandemic - FIH has allocated 4 slots for Asia with India as the host. Top 4 teams from this event including India will make it to 2023 World Cup in India early next year.

Thanks to FIH as now there will be 16 teams world cup rather than 12 teams, which allows many other below ranked teams to qualify.

What is Malaysia chances?

A 2023 World Cup ticket is a prerequisite for our Malaysian team. Due to in an easier group, we should qualify for Super 4s. First match against Oman tomorrow is crucial and results with Korea on Tuesday will be the first indication for Malaysia. Hope no any unwanted results from this first 2 matches as Oman is coached by Malaysian Coach - Lim Chiow Chuan. On another note, Malaysia last match is against Bangladesh where another Malaysian is Coaching - Gobinathan. So the first two matches will be a real test for Malaysia. There will be 3 Malaysian Coaches in this group B and will be interesting to see and gauge their strategies against each other.

On Group A - is a tough one. India send a mixed youth team, there is possibility of them not making it to Super 4s as depend on first match against Pakistan under the guidance of new Coaching structure. Japan is a dark horse and has showed that they are able to upset any top teams in any given day. Indonesia is mainly playing hosting and participation level and is coached by Malaysian Dharma.

With that, the available slots are open wide for Pak, Japan, Malaysia & Korea but Oman and Bangladesh may spring some surprises. India has qualified as host and with youth mix team, the question is what happens if they don't make it to Super 4s, then the 3/4 match will be a cracker for a last slot.

Bear in mind, every match there will be world rankings in play, therefore all Coaches will be aware of this predicament.

Malaysia should be able to qualify as we did in 2014 & 2018. But hoping no any upsets or below par performance which hinders the opportunity.

Wishing all the 8 teams the very best for the tournament and may the best teams qualify for the 2023 Men's FIH Hockey World Cup, the 15th edition of the Men's FIH Hockey World Cup, the quadrennial world championship in Rourkela, India from 13 to 29 January 2023.

To see the live match score, match fixtures, pool points, news updates and much more, see link below:

https://www.fih.hockey/events/others/men/hero-asia-cup-2022-1426/schedule-fixtures-results

https://www.fih.hockey/events/others/men/hero-asia-cup-2022-1426/schedule-fixtures-results

Godspeed and have a great weekend....

*Maninderjit Singh- Mike*