KUALA LUMPUR — After a seventh-place finish in Poland last year, the Speedy Tigers are hoping to turn the tide as they begin their 2025 FIH Nations Cup Hockey Championship campaign against Pakistan tomorrow at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.
National men’s hockey team captain Muhammad Marhan Mohd Jalil admitted the pressure is immense, but believes that playing on home soil could be just what the team needs to reset and make a statement.
“For me, every game, anywhere, there is definitely pressure, especially when playing on home turf, the pressure is that the team wants to give the best result,” said the 35-year-old during a pre-match press conference today, Bernama reported.
“So the team needs to be more disciplined on the field from the first minute until the end. This is because the first game is important and we need to win to increase our motivation and increase our chances of advancing to the semi-finals.”
Marhan acknowledged that the support of local fans can be a double-edged sword—energising but also demanding—as Malaysia look to open their Group B campaign on the right foot.
The skipper expects a tough battle against Pakistan, who are known for their pace and technical flair. He also highlighted the threat posed by their penalty corner specialist, Sufyan Khan.
However, Marhan urged his teammates to stay focused on their overall defensive plan and not be distracted by any one player.
“We cannot focus on just one person because we need to remember that they (Pakistan) may have other weapons. Maybe they have a second person, we don’t even know.
“So, we will follow the plan that has been planned by the coach and hope the defence is at its best in the match,” he said.
Malaysia are grouped with Pakistan, New Zealand and Japan in Group B, while Group A features France, South Africa, South Korea and Wales. — June 14, 2025