Akhimullah gets the nod for Perth

Kuala Lumpur (20 Sept, 2016): Tenaga Nasional Berhad Thunderbolt’s young striker Mohamad Akhimullah Anuar Esook is among 18 players who made the grade for the National Development squad that will compete in the Australian Hockey League from Sept 29-Oct 9 in Perth.

The 17-year-old, who is the leading scorer in the TNBMHL 2016 Division One League with 13 goals, will leave on Monday together with the men’s senior (Malaysian Tigers) and women’s team to compete in the AHL which has also attracted India’s Juniors and New Zealand Futures.

Terengganu Hockey Team forward Faizal Saari has also been included for the Down Under playing tour for the Development team which will compete as Malaysia Blues.

Defender Mohamed Sukri Abdul Mutalib will captain the men’s senior team, Baljit Singh the Blues and Siti Noor Amarina Ruhani will lead the women’s team in the 12-day Australian league which is considered one of the premier tournaments in the world.

However, missing from the senior squad are drag flick specialist Razie Rahim and Nabil Fiqri who are currently undergoing a nine-month police inspector course in Kuala Lumpur.

National senior team head coach, Stephen van Huizen, said: ‘Both players are in training and though we have an understanding with PDRM to allow the two to attend national team training and matches which concern Malaysia, they will not travel for overseas assignments during their course at Pulapol,” said van Huizen.

The ASL is seen as an important platform for the seniors who will be competing in the Asian Champions Trophy in Kuantan from Oct 20-30 while the Blues are down to play in the Sultan of Johor Cup and the women in the World League in January.

“It is an important tournament as those who perform credibly well in Perth may find their way to the Asian Champions Trophy. After the conclusion of the TNBMHL 2016 leagues on Sunday (Sept 25), the players will continue to train and play. There is no letting up,” said Van Huizen.

The Malaysian Tigers will open their campaign in AHL against New Zealand Futures while the Blues go up against India Juniors and women against New Zealand on September 29.
SENIOR TEAM
Goalkeepers: S. Kumar, Mohamad Hairi Abd Rahman
Defenders: Mohamad Sukri Abdul Mutalib (Capt), Mohamad Izad Hakimi Jamaluddin, Faiz Helmi, Muhammad Najmi Abu Hassan, Muhamad Najmi Farizal Jazlan.

Midfielders: Muhamad Marhan Mohd Jalil, Mohd Fitr, Muhamad i Saari, Meor Muhamad Azuan Hasan, Muhamad Azri Hassan.

Forwards: Joel Samuel van Huizen, Muhamamd Firhan Ashari, Muhamad Ramadan Rosli, Muhamad Rashid Baharom, Muhamad Haziq Samsul, Nik Muhamad Aiman Nik Rozemi.

Head Coach: Stephen van Huizen

Asst Coach: Lim Chiow Chuan

Goalkeeper Coach: Mohd Nasihin Nubli Ibrahim

DEVELOPMENT TEAM

Goalkeepers: Mohamad Ridwan Azmi, Muhammad Hafizuddin Othman
Defenders: Muhamad Firdaus Omar, Luqman Nul Hakim, Nor Azrul Abdul Rahman, Baljit Singh (Capt), Muhammad Aslam Mohamad Hanafiah, Shazril Irwan Nazli.
Midfielders: Syed Mohamad Syafiq Syed Cholan, Muhamad Amirol Aideed, Muhammad Ashran, Rafizul Ezry Mustafa, Harvinder Singh.
Forwards: Norsyafiq Sumantri, Muhamad Sufi Ismat, Mohamad Akhimullah Anuar Esook, Izwan Firdaus Ahmad Tajuddin, Faizal Saari.
Head Coach: Wallace Tan
Asst Coach: Muhamad Amin Rahim

WOMEN TEAM:
Goalkeepers: Mas Huzaimah Md Aziz, Siti Noor Hafiza Zainordin.
Defenders: Siti Noor Amarina Ruhani, Juliani Mohamad Din, Siti Shahida Saad, Nurul Safiqah Mat Isa, Nur Syafiqah Mohd Zain, Raja Norsharina Raja Shabuddin.
Midfielders: Norazlin Sumantri, Fatin Shafika Mohd Sukri, Nuraini Abdul Rashid, Surizan Awang Noh.
Forwards: Wan Norfaiezah Md Saiuti, Hanis Nadiah Onn, Siti Rahmah Othman, Nurul Nabihah Mansur, Fazilla Sylvester Silin, Fatin Naimah Zaki.
Team Manager: Nor Saliza Ahmad Soobni
Head Coach: Muhammad Dhaarma Raj
Asst Coach: Lailin Abu Hassan
Goalkeeper Coach: Roslan Jamaluddin