KUALA LUMPUR – National men’s hockey head coach Brendon Carolan is taking a methodical approach ahead of the Nations Cup in Cape Town, insisting that the squad must get its fundamentals right before chasing tournament glory.
Speaking to Scoop, the South African coach stressed that his priority is to “fix the house first” and ensure the team is structured, disciplined, and ready for the challenges ahead.
“For me, the focus is on ourselves first,” said Carolan when contacted.
“We can talk about dark horses or big-name opponents all we like, but if we don’t sort our own house out, it won’t matter.
“The first step is to get the team performing consistently, to build a strong environment where every player knows their role and the standards expected.”
Carolan also said that he will be closely monitoring talent emerging from the Malaysian Hockey League (MHL), believing that integrating young players now will secure the national squad’s long-term success.
“We’ve already identified promising juniors from the MHL, and we’re bringing them into training. The goal is to reduce the gap when senior players eventually retire, so we maintain continuity and depth in the squad. These youngsters bring energy, and it’s important to give them exposure early,” he said.
At the same time, Carolan made it clear that the experience of the senior core remains invaluable.
“Players like Faizal Saari, Fitri Saari, and Marhan Jalil still have loads to offer the national team,” he said.
“They’ve proven themselves over the years and their conditioning is still strong. They set standards for the younger players and provide the leadership we need, so it’s about balancing youth and experience effectively.”
Carolan’s careful approach includes a structured weekly routine, with Mondays reserved for rehabilitation sessions at the National Sports Institute and on-pitch work running from Tuesday to Thursday.
Every place in his 26-man squad is earned, with no guarantees, reflecting his intent to foster competition and high standards.
“The Nations Cup will be our first big test under my tenure, and it’s the perfect opportunity to see how the squad comes together,” he said.
“But before worrying about results, we must focus on getting the team right. Once we have a solid foundation, the outcomes will follow naturally.” – April 8, 2026