World Cup Hockey 2014, no need to fear Australia

The national hockey squad are capable of creating an upset in their first Group A match in the World Cup Hockey Championship 2014 against Australia today.

What is important is that all players need to perform without pressure and not to be too respectful of their opponent's reputation.

National Hockey Squad chief coach, Muhammad Dhaarma Raj Abdullah said although Australia were strong in attack, he did not want the Malaysians to give their opponents too much respect.

"I admit Australia are a great team and I expect they would be playing an open game to create scoring chances.

"I hope all players will do their best without pressure and to launch sudden attacks into the Australian defence," he said when contacted in Holland by BERNAMA, Friday.

Malaysia will face Australia at 10.30am on Saturday (4.30pm Malaysian time) at Kyocera Stadium at The Hague, Netherlands.

The former project 2013 squad coach hoped the national squad would adapt themselves to the championship environment as Malaysia were last featured in the tournament in 2002 when hosting the championship.

"It has been 12 years since we last played at the World Cup and the players should find their rhythm fast as the World Cup is a different championship," he said.

In this regard, he confirmed that national defender Kevin Lim would not be ready for the tournament after suffering a tear in his thigh in a warm-up match against a local club on Thursday.

He said Kevin's place was expected to be taken by national youth player Mohammad Izad Hakimi Jamaluddin who would arrive in the Netherlands on Sunday.

Malaysia is scheduled to face Belgium in their second Group A encounter at the Green Fields Hockey Stadium in The Hague, Netherlands on Monday (June 2).