Array
(
    [_edit_lock] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1715149722:31
        )

    [tdc_dirty_content] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [tdc_icon_fonts] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:0:{}
        )

    [_thumbnail_id] => Array
        (
            [0] => 195581
        )

    [_edit_last] => Array
        (
            [0] => 31
        )

    [onesignal_meta_box_present] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [onesignal_send_notification] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [onesignal_modify_title_and_content] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [onesignal_notification_custom_heading] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [onesignal_notification_custom_content] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [_post_language] => Array
        (
            [0] => English
        )

    [_molongui_author] => Array
        (
            [0] => guest-99398
        )

    [_molongui_main_author] => Array
        (
            [0] => guest-99398
        )

    [td_post_theme_settings] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:1:{s:11:"td_subtitle";s:88:"National hockey goalkeeper credits trainer after crucial performance against New Zealand";}
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_primary_category] => Array
        (
            [0] => 601
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_focuskw] => Array
        (
            [0] => Sultan Azlan Shah Cup
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_metadesc] => Array
        (
            [0] => National hockey goalkeeper Hafizuddin Othman credits coach S. Kumar for his stunning display against New Zealand at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_linkdex] => Array
        (
            [0] => 63
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_content_score] => Array
        (
            [0] => 60
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes] => Array
        (
            [0] => 3
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_wordproof_timestamp] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [post_views_count] => Array
        (
            [0] => 219
        )

    [post_views_count_7_day_arr] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:7:{i:0;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:1;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:2;a:3:{s:4:"date";s:10:"1748451089";s:5:"count";i:2;s:14:"per_hour_count";a:1:{i:16;i:2;}}i:3;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:4;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:5;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:6;a:3:{s:4:"date";s:10:"1748761674";s:5:"count";i:1;s:14:"per_hour_count";a:1:{i:7;i:1;}}}
        )

    [post_view_7days_last_day] => Array
        (
            [0] => 6
        )

    [post_views_count_7_day_last_date] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1748761674
        )

    [post_views_count_7_day_total] => Array
        (
            [0] => 3
        )

    [post_views_last_24_hours] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [post_views_last_48_hours] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

)
Sultan Azlan Shah Cup: Kumar's coaching key to Hafizuddin's match-winning saves | Scoop
Malaysia goalkeeper Hafizuddin Othman keeps out another attempt by New Zealand in their Sultan Azlan Shah Cup match last night. – Abdul Razak Latif/Scoop pic, May 8, 2024
Sports

Sultan Azlan Shah Cup: Kumar’s coaching key to Hafizuddin’s match-winning saves

National hockey goalkeeper credits trainer after crucial performance against New Zealand

Main Author Image
Sandru Narayanan
Updated
2:25 PM MYT

 

IPOH – National hockey goalkeeper Hafizuddin Othman credits his coach S. Kumar for his man-of-the-match display against New Zealand at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup yesterday.

The 32-year-old Hafizuddin was in his element, making several saves, including sensationally blocking New Zealand’s second penalty stroke in the 30th minute, to help the Speedy Tigers to a 6-4 win.

Hafizuddin, with 107 international caps, has been Malaysia’s first-choice custodian since 2020.

He was also named the best keeper in the eight-nation Paris Olympics qualifiers in Muscat, Oman, in January.

Hafizuddin said he felt proud to be learning under one of the best goalkeeping coaches in the world and hoped to maintain his fine form for the rest of the tournament.

Hafizuddin hopes to maintain his form throughout the rest of the tournament. – Abdul Razak Latif/Scoop pic, May 8, 2024

“I thank coach Kumar for transforming me into what I am, and without his coaching over the years, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

“He has always been influential and encourages me to do better every day; his words always inspire me to give my 100% on the turf.

“Even when I have a bad game, he motivates me and has never given up on me in any circumstances, which is what all players want from their coaches: trust.

“I’m glad to have put up a man-of-the-match performance against New Zealand, and I hope to continue my fine form against the rest of the teams in this tournament,” said Hafizuddin during a post-match press conference.

S. Kumar, who made 321 appearances for the Malaysia hockey team, pictured during his playing days. – Bernama pic, May 8, 2024

Kumar is a former national goalkeeper who had a 20-year career with the Speedy Tigers.

The Tampin-born ex-Speedy Tiger helped Malaysia win silver medals at the 2010 Asian Games (Guangzhou) and 2018 Asian Games (Jakarta-Palembang), and the 2017 Asia Cup in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The 46-year-old, who made 321 international appearances, was also named the Best Goalkeeper at the FIH World League Round Three in London after helping Malaysia finish fourth to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

Kumar’s international retirement in 2020 saw him appointed as a coach for the national team by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation in the same year.

Malaysia, the defending champions of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, will take on Japan in their fourth match later today.

For the record, the Speedy Tigers made history when they ended a 39-year wait to win the invitational tournament for the first time after defeating South Korea 3-2 in the 2022 final.

Malaysia previously finished second five times – in 1985, 2007, 2009, 2013 and 2014 – since the tournament was first held in 1983. – May 8, 2024

Topics

 

◉ Popular

Asiad: CDM confident contingent can achieve target of 27 medals

The Malaysian contingent to the Asian Games is confident they can achieve the target of 27 medals, with eight days of competition remaining before the closing ceremony on October 8.

[LIVE] Nik Elin v Kelantan: justices void 16 out of 18 provisions, over 500 gathered outside

The justices rule that only two Sections out of 18 provisions contended are legal, which are Section 13 (selling or giving away a child to non-Muslim or morally reprehensible Muslim) and Section 30.

Haji Furada: Hajar Sazrul Travel & Tours diperintah bayar RM634,000 kepada 25 bekas pelanggan

Mereka terdiri daripada kumpulan 15 individu yang telah berlepas ke Jeddah selepas menerima e-visa namun terkandas di Lapangan Terbang King Abdul Aziz kerana visa terbabit adalah palsu manakala 10 lagi belum berlepas kerana tidak menerima e-visa walaupun sudah menjelaskan semua bayaran pakej haji dalam insiden pada 2019

◉ Related

Copyright © 2023. All rights reserved.