KUALA LUMPUR: After sacrificing his studies for the Commonwealth Games last month, pint-sized defender Faiz Helmi Jali will now put exam papers and hockey 'side by side.'
This means the Universiti Malaya student will sit for his final semester examinations amid the national hockey team's series of friendly matches against Argentina in South America from May 21-June 3.
"I have not been able to fully concentrate on my training for the Argentina friendlies as I am preparing for four more papers, and the examinations fall smack during the friendlies.
"But I managed to get leave to sit for two papers first before heading for Argentina. And when I come back, I will sit for the other two," said Faiz.
Faiz believes he needs to be with his teammates for the Argentina tour to get back his touch.
"I need to start playing again, as a long layoff might see me lose my touch because like all the other players, I also need to fight for a spot in the Asian Games in Indonesia (In August)," said Faiz.
Malaysia aim to win the Asian Games gold and qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, a feat last achieved at the 2000 Sydney Games.
