Faizal Saari and Marhan Jalil Lead Malaysia’s 20 for Punjab: Speedy Tigers Name Their Asian Champions Trophy Squad

No more guessing. Malaysia’s squad for Punjab is out.

The Malaysian Hockey Confederation published the Speedy Tigers’ 20-man list for the Asian Champions Trophy on its official Instagram account on Thursday morning, five days before the tournament opens in Jalandhar. It’s a senior, settled group. Faizal Saari leads the forward line, Marhan Mohd Jalil anchors the defence, and there’s one name in there that Johor Cup watchers will recognise straight away.

The 20, position by position

Goalkeepers: Muhammad Hafizuddin Othman, Muhamad Zaimi Mat Deris.

Defenders: Muhammad Marhan Mohd Jalil, Muhamad Aminuddin Mohd Zain, Muhammad Shafiq Hassan, Muhammad Amirul Hamizan Azahar, Muhamad Faris Harizan, Andywalfian Jeffrynus.

Midfielders: Faiz Helmi Jali, Mohd Fitri Saari, Nik Muhammad Aiman Nik Rozemi, Mohamad Ashran Hamsani, Shello Silverius, Muhajir Abdu Rauf.

Forwards: Faizal Saari, Muhammad Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal, Mohamad Akhimullah Anuar Esook, Azimuddin Syakir Kamaruddin, Muhammad Adam Asyraf Johari, Che Aqilrullah Che Mohd Khairulzi Anwar.

The MHC graphic lists Brendon Carolan as head coach, with Dato’ Ahmad Najmi Abdul Razak as team manager, Azrul Effendy Bistamam as assistant manager and assistant coach, and Kumar Subramiam as goalkeeping coach. (One note: the New Straits Times has been naming Sarjit Singh in the role this month — the federation’s own graphic says Carolan, and that’s the one we’re going with.)

The teenager stepping up

Adam Asyraf Johari at No. 19 is the fun one. On Wednesday night he was setting up the opening goal for Malaysia’s under-21s in that 3-2 Johor Cup thriller against Pakistan. Now he’s in the senior squad for a Champions Trophy. That’s how fast this pathway moves when a kid takes his chance.

It also tells you Malaysia aren’t treating Punjab as a development trip. Silver medallists at the Asian Games earlier this month, beaten 5-1 by India in that final, this is close to a first-choice group with a semi-final as the stated aim.

Their week in Punjab

Malaysia open the whole tournament against China on Tuesday 27 October at 1:00 pm IST (12:30 pm PKT). Then Korea, Bangladesh, the big one against India on 1 November, and Japan on 2 November to close the league stage.

Four games in six days before that India night. Manage the legs early, and Malaysia should be standing in the semi-finals on 4 November. Slip up against China or Korea, though, and the India game stops being a free hit and becomes a must-win. That’s the trap in this schedule, and Carolan’s group will know it. The full opening-day fixtures are up, entry is free for every match, and Malaysia’s Perth camp plans after the tournament are already set.