Hockey Asia Cup 2025: Coach Sarjit Kundan keeps Malaysia grounded despite flying form

After back-to-back runner-up finishes, Malaysia entered the Asia Cup 2025 determined to prove a point. It wasted no time making a statement, sweeping the group stage with three wins out of three. Sarjit Kundan’s squad looked a class apart, scoring 23 goals while conceding just two. Still, the coach insists on keeping his players grounded as they prepare for the Super 4s.

In its final Pool B match, Asia’s No. 2-ranked side thrashed Chinese Taipei 15-0, following comfortable victories over Bangladesh and South Korea. Despite the emphatic scoreline, Kundan struck a cautious note. “It was a good day. We missed a lot of opportunities in our previous matches, so it’s good that the players were clinical against a weaker opponent,” the 62-year-old told Sportstar.

For the Speedy Tigers, Akhimullah Anuar scored five goals to take his tally to nine for the tournament, while Ashran Hamsani also netted five and Norsyafiq Sumantri added three as Malaysia topped Pool B.

Asked if the team’s momentum made it one of the favourites for the title, Kundan was quick to deflect. “We are not the favourites. The only favourites in the tournament are the hosts. India is in a class of its own. While teams like Malaysia, Korea, and China are capable of winning on a given day, India is a level above all of them.”

Rajgir’s hot, humid conditions — combined with awkward match timings — have been testing. But Kundan brushed it off. “Everyone is facing the same experience. That’s just part of the game, and you have to play no matter what. When we first arrived, it rained for a few days, which was great. But after that it suddenly became very hot. The good thing is that instead of two-minute breaks between quarters, we now get four-minute breaks, which is a nice change.”

Kundan, a former player who won bronze with Malaysia at the 1982 Asian Games in Delhi, praised the local support. “Indians love hockey. They appreciate good hockey. I’ve played here before, and it is always a pleasure to play in front of a good crowd; it gives players extra motivation to do well.”

Hockey holds a storied place in Malaysia, peaking in the 1980s and 1990s. That golden era was sparked by a fourth-place finish at the 1975 World Cup on home soil. But since their last Olympic appearance at Sydney 2000, the Speedy Tigers have struggled to regain past glory.

Kundan, who represented Malaysia at the 1984 and 1992 Olympics, outlined the team’s long-term goals. “We’re a young team building towards the 2028 Olympics, but the Asian Games next year is our biggest priority,” he said. “Before the Nations Cup, we went to Australia and Korea. Now we’re in India, and after this, we’ll compete in the Sultan Azlan Shah tournament against many of the top teams.”

As for the current campaign, the coach kept expectations modest. “We just want to play well and hopefully end up on the podium,” he said with a smile.

Published on Sep 02, 2025