KUALA LUMPUR – National junior hockey head coach Nor Saiful Zaini Nasiruddin is standing by his decision to experiment with different systems and tactics at the ongoing Sultan of Johor Cup (SoJC), describing it as a key part of preparations for the Junior World Cup (JWC) later this year.
Speaking to Scoop after Malaysia’s 1–1 draw with Australia, Nor Saiful said the heavy 2–7 defeat to Pakistan in their opening match was not a setback, but a valuable opportunity to assess and refine his tactical plans.
“The system has not failed us. As a coach, I want to try all the tactics and systems I have against each opponent instead of relying on just one,” he said.
“This is important so I can identify which players can adapt to different systems. The match against Pakistan showed me what didn’t work, so we’ll know what to do differently when we face them again. Testing every system now will help us perform better at the Junior World Cup.”
The Young Tigers, who showed marked improvement against Australia, will next face New Zealand in their third match at the Johor Hockey Stadium in Taman Daya tomorrow evening.
Nor Saiful said his squad are now focused on securing their first victory in the tournament and building on their improved display.
“Our main goal against New Zealand is to win. Although we expect a tough contest, I’m optimistic the players are capable of matching them,” he said.
“The draw against Australia boosted the players’ confidence. They played more openly but with better structure, not too exposed, and managed to close down Australia’s attacking space.
“Against New Zealand, we’ll raise the intensity and refine our tactics, especially in the fourth quarter when players tend to drop too deep. The players must avoid giving their opponents room to penetrate the D.”
Acknowledging that New Zealand remain a threat despite consecutive defeats to Australia (0–4) and India (2–4), Nor Saiful said discipline will be key.
“New Zealand are not an easy team to beat. Their tactical approach is similar to Australia’s, attacking mostly from the flanks. We must reduce penalty corners conceded,” he said.
“The players’ motivation is at 100%. We’ll make sure they’re ready both mentally and physically.” — October 14, 2025