National men's hockey team coach Arul Selvaraj has no qualms about naming just one goalkeeper in the squad for the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
Arul said he was forced to make the bold decision due to the demand of the game which requires more attacking players to adapt to the system of fast attacking play.
"With the demands of the fast attacking play adopted by all teams, I need more attacking players rather than goalkeepers. To me, the prospect of the goalkeeper getting injured is less due to the limited movement in the goal area," he said during the naming of the men's and women's teams for the Asian Games, at the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) office at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil Thursday.
Arul said if goalkeeper S. Kumar suffered an injury, he could still name Mohammad Izad Hakimi as his replacement.
He added that the move was a strategy aimed at winning the gold medal and earning an automatic qualification to the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympics in Brazil.
"If we win the gold, the road to the Olympics will be cleared but if we don't, then we will have to face a difficult task by competing in the World League in India and Singapore," he said.
Arul said Malaysia who are ranked world number 13, must beat Singapore and Bangladesh, win or draw against South Korea and beat Japan in Group A.
If Malaysia top Group A and move into the semifinals, India or Pakistan who are in Group B together with Oman, China and Sri Lanka might be their opponent.
In the 2010 Asian Games hosted by China in Guangzhou, Malaysia won a silver.
Meanwhile, women's coach Mohd Nasihin Nubli Ibrahim expressed confidence that his charges would be able to create their own history by surpassing the semifinal target set by MHC.
"I have my own views and mission for the team that will be in Incheon. I am confident that the players will be able to pull off a surprise or two but I do not want to say anything that might put unnecessary pressure on the players.
"In my observation, the players have matured and more confident with their style of play in attack and defence," he said.
Malaysia are drawn in Group A with China, India and Thailand while host South Korea head Group B with Japan, Kazakhstan and Hong Kong for company.
The Malaysian women's team's best achievement in the Asian Games was a bronze medal won at the 1982 New Delhi Asian Games in India.
Bernama
Thu Sep 11 2014
ARUL: The team needs more attacking players than goalkeepers
Israel pounds Beirut and Gaza after rockets hit Israel's north
A drone was launched at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's holiday home.
Elon Musk promises to award $1 mil each day to a signer of his petition
He awarded a $1 million check to an attendee of his event in Pennsylvania aimed at rallying supporters behind Donald Trump.
Former special forces commander Prabowo to take up Indonesian presidency
Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto will take over as president of the world's third-largest democracy after sweeping the country's election with policies like free meals for school children
Zayn Malik postpones US tour dates after One Direction bandmate Liam Payne's death
Payne, 31, died on Wednesday after falling from a third-floor hotel room balcony in Buenos Aires, shocking fans of the boy band.
Why voters in a handful of swing states will decide the US presidential election
The contest will almost certainly be decided by just tens of thousands of voters a tiny fraction of the populace in a handful of states.
INSIGHT - Sudan's war risks 'lost generation' of children
A devastating crisis is unfolding in Sudan, where the most vulnerable members of society children are bearing the brunt of the violence.
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Trump says he would impose tariffs on China if China went into Taiwan
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said he would impose additional tariffs on China if China were to "go into Taiwan,"
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.