Nagoya:Malaysia's 1-5 defeat to India in the men's hockey final at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games has not dampened national captain Muhammad Marhan Mohd Jalil's belief that the team can still qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games (LA28).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysia missed out on an automatic ticket to LA28 after their loss to defending champions India at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium. Despite the setback, Marhan highlighted several positive developments throughout the tournament.

Marhan expressed disappointment over the team's performance in the final but acknowledged India's deserved victory. He noted that compared to three months ago, Malaysia had improved its gameplay, securing victories over Pakistan and South Korea, although they could not overcome India.

The team captain emphasized the need for the national squad to enhance its performance in crucial matches and stressed the importance of collective contribution from all players rather than relying on a few individuals.

Regarding Malaysia's prospects of securing a spot in LA28 through the Olympic qualifying tournament, Marhan remained optimistic. He urged all players to continue their hard work, expressing confidence in the team's ability to qualify. He mentioned that the coach would focus on identifying areas for improvement to strengthen the team's overall performance.

The national squad is now preparing for the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) in India, scheduled from October 27 to November 5.