The national junior squad, Young Tigers, must defeat India in their final
round robin match of the Sultan of Johor Cup (SOJC) 2025 on Friday if they
wish to secure at least a place in the third-fourth classification playoff.
Head coach Nor Saiful Zaini Nasiruddin stressed that his players must stay
vigilant and avoid being trapped by the fast-paced style of PR Sreejesh’s
side, who are also desperate for a win to reach the final.
“We’ll maintain our current tactical approach and won’t underestimate
their strengths. The players must stay focused and cautious because India
have great speed and technical ability,” he said.
Nor Saiful added that the Malaysian juniors must sustain their intensity
throughout the 60-minute contest and avoid sitting too deep, which could
expose them to India’s pressure.
“India will rely on their pace, so we cannot afford to play too deep — it’s
dangerous. The players need to read situations quickly and react fast if
India increase their tempo,” he explained.
After four matches, Young Tigers have amassed four points and currently
sit fifth in the standings. Meanwhile, India — the 2022 champions — have
seven points after losing 2-4 to Australia on Wednesday and are fighting to
stay ahead of Great Britain, who trail by just one point.
Nor Saiful admitted that India possesses superior sharpness and
experience, but urged his players to play as a united team.
“We know India’s players are sharper and more experienced, but what
matters most is teamwork. We must help one another and avoid repeating
the mistakes we made in the 1-4 loss to Britain,” he said.
Commenting on the team’s struggles with penalty corners, Nor Saiful
acknowledged that the pitch condition may have contributed to the
problem.
“We had a few PCs, but couldn’t convert them — maybe the pitch condition
played a part. Still, every team faces the same situation. It’s not an excuse;
we’ll give our best in the next match,” he added.