KUALA LUMPUR: The national men's hockey team lost 4-1 to world No. 10 New Zealand in a friendly match in Gniezno, Poland, yesterday.
Defender Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan converted a penalty corner for Malaysia in the match, which is a warm-up for the Nations Cup starting on Friday in Gniezno.
National coach Sarjit Singh said his players had problems getting used to the bumpy and uneven
green turf there.
He said forward Faizal Saari did not play against New Zealand due to a minor knee injury, but should be back for the second friendly against South Africa tomorrow.
"I'm satisfied with the outcome as I fielded six newcomers (T. Naaveennash Panicker, Nur Rahull, Hrsikesa Thaitchana Muruthi, Syawal Abdul Razak, Faris Harizan, Kamarulzaman Kamaruddin and Arif Syafie Ishak). I will field them again against South Africa.
"I have 20 players and will gauge their performance after both the friendly matches before naming the final 18 (for the Nations Cup).
The Kiwis, preparing for the Paris Olympics, were powered by established players like skipper Nicholas Woods, Kane Russell, Hugo Inglis, and Simon Child.
World No. 13 Malaysia will open their Nations Cup campaign against world No. 16 Pakistan on Dec 31.