KUALA LUMPUR: Finishing fifth at the Indonesia Asian Games has not given national women's hockey coach K. Dharmaraj any satisfaction.
Dharmaraj feels that Malaysia still has unfinished business to attend to and will now focus on the Hockey Series Finals next year where Olympic qualification for Tokyo 2020 will also be up for grabs.
"I had a discussion with the players recently and all feel sad that we did not get anything at the Asian Games," said Dharmaraj.
"The players promised to remain with the team until we achieve the success we are hoping for.
"They have also asked me to continue guiding the team and not leave.
"I myself feel that we have not completed our mission. I am not satisfied and from now on we need to work harder to prepare for Olympic qualifying next year."
Dharmaraj added that the team will continue to train as usual for the rest of the year but will release a few players who have received offers to play abroad.
"From now until December we do not have any competitions, however, Canada will come to Malaysia to play a series of friendlies with us."
The national team missed out on qualifying for the semi-finals at the Asian Games despite managing a few impressive performances including a 2-2 draw with China.
Their fifth place finish in Indonesia equalled their achievement at the 2006 Doha edition.
