KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian men's and women's Olympic Qualifier teams were named yesterday, and the notable inclusions were Shahril Saabah and Kirendeep Kaur to help carry the nation's hopes in Oman and Spain respectively.
Both the Qualifiers are the last doors for three teams from each gender to play in the Paris Olympics.
The notable men's exclusion was seasoned forward Faizal Saari, who is plagued by a gout problem while his brother, Fitri, was included in the squad. The Malaysian men will play in Group A with China, Pakistan and Britain while in Valencia the women will be pitted against higher ranked teams Britain (7th) Spain (8th).
Malaysia are at 18th while their targeted team is Canada who are ranked 16th.
"I included Kirendeep even though she did not play in the last two tournaments (Asian and Sea Games) because she followed the programme which we gave her and kept herself fit.
"She will be an asset in the Qualifier," said Nasihin on the player who is currently studying in a local university.
"Even though Shahril did not play any international match since last year's January World Cup in Bhubaneswar because of injury, he has fully recovered and I selected him for the Qualifier based on his commitment in training.
"As for Faizal, he has an on and off problem with gout, which gives him constant pain, and it has made him mentally not prepared for a tournament like the Qualifier," said Arul.
Malaysia need to beat Pakistan and China at all costs, and give their best against Britain to qualify for the semi-finals where the three medallists will receive the honour of being called Olympians for life.
"My players know that they must beat China and Pakistan if they want to be an Olympian, and this is their chance of a lifetime," said coach A. Arul Selvaraj, whose KPI is to finish among the medallists in Oman.
As for Nasihin's women: "We will be playing for world ranking points against higher-ranked teams, and my players are ready to give their very best."
SQUADS
MEN: Goalkeepers: Hafizuddin Othman, Zaini Mat Deris.
Defenders: Marhan Jalil, Razire Rahim, Zulpidaus Mizun, Syafiq Hassan, Amirul Hamizan, Ramadan Rosli. Midfielders: Faiz Helmi Jali, Meor Azuan Hassan, Nik Aiman Nik Hassan, Shello Silverius, Fitri Saari. Strikers: Firhan Ashari, Ashran Hamsani, Norsyafiq Sumantri, Azrai Aizad, Shahril Saabah.
WOMEN: Goalkeepers: Siti Zaliha Nasir, Nur Hazlinda Zainal.
Defenders: Juliani Din, Anith Humaira Baharudin, Nur Nabila Yusaini, Nurul Fatin Azman, Fatin Shafika Sukri. Midfielders: Nurmaizatul Hanim Fuad, Nur Insyirah Effarizal, Siti Nur Irdina Nor, Dayang Nuramirah Mahadani, Kirandeep Kaur, Raja Norsharina Shabudin.
Strikers: Nuramirah Shakirah Zulkifli, Siti Nur Arfah Nor, Nur Afiqah Azhar, Nur Shamine Badusha, Azmyra Mia Azhairy Laili Ismail.
