KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16 (Bernama) -- The National hockey squad (Speedy Tigers) will be looking to put the 1-5 defeat to defending champions Germany in their opening Group B match on Saturday behind them and produce a much-improved performance against France tomorrow as they continue their 2026 World Cup campaign in Belgium.
National men's hockey squad head coach Brendon Carolan believes France are a good side which would present a stern challenge for his side tomorrow.
“France are a good side, They pushed Belgium all the way. They were 2-0 up against Belgium and Belgium came back with a couple of late penalty corners.
“So, you know, they’re obviously in the Pro League, so they’re a very good team. So again, I think we have to be better than we were yesterday,” he said in a video shared by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation today.
Yesterday, Belgium, who won the 2018 World Cup in Bhubaneswar, India, edged France 3-2.
After France, Malaysia will wrap up the Group B campaign against Belgium on Wednesday.
Malaysia's best achievement in the prestigious tournament was a fourth-place finish when they hosted the event in 1975.
-- BERNAMA