Malaysia Junior Hockey Team to Face Japan in Friendlies Ahead of Asia Cup

Malaysia's junior men's hockey squad is set to test their mettle against Japan in a series of five friendly matches. This tour is a critical part of their preparation for the 2026 Junior Asia Cup, where they aim to secure a spot in the 2027 Junior World Cup.

Head coach Nor Saiful Zaini Nasiruddin views the encounters with Japan's senior and U-21 teams as vital for evaluating the squad, which features approximately 80% new faces. "These five friendly matches will serve as a benchmark for us to identify the team's strengths and weaknesses, so any shortcomings can be addressed before the actual tournament," he stated.

Following the Japan tour, the team will finalize their training before heading to China for the Asia Cup. Nor Saiful cautioned his players against underestimating other Asian teams, noting the significant progress made by nations like Bangladesh, China, Japan, and Korea. He expressed confidence that with thorough preparation and high fighting spirit, the Malaysian team can achieve their target.