Kuala lumpur: National men’s hockey squad head coach Sarjit Singh should not be blamed entirely for Speedy Tigers’ poor performance at the recent International Hockey Federation (FIH) 2025 Nations Cup Hockey Tournament. Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal stated that the entire team, including the players, must take responsibility after failing to achieve their mission of advancing to the semi-finals of the tournament.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Subahan expressed his views at a press conference, emphasizing that the Malaysian team under Sarjit’s leadership has the capability to compete with world-class teams. He highlighted the recurring issue of maintaining a lead, citing the match against New Zealand where Malaysia led 3-0 but eventually lost 3-4. Subahan suggested that the team’s ability to secure an early lead indicates their potential, although the inability to maintain it remains a concern.

Earlier at the FIH Nations Cup, Malaysia, who played host, finished outside the top five after losing 1-2 to Wales in the fifth and sixth place play-off. Subahan acknowledged his disappointment with the results but expressed satisfaction with the performance demonstrated by Sarjit Singh’s team.

He also mentioned that the Malaysian Hockey Confederation is committed to addressing the issues faced by the national hockey team to ensure future victories. The focus will be on identifying and resolving the challenges hindering the team’s progress in international competitions.