KUALA LUMPUR: Muhammad Hafizuddin Othman is ready to face the World Hockey League semi-finals beginning Saturday until July 5, even though he has been called into action by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation at the last minute.
The national squad had lost first choice goalkeeper S. Kumar, who withdrew following the death of his three-year-old son Haarshen on Thursday.
“When I received the call, I was on holiday in Terengganu, so I returned to Kuala Lumpur on Friday morning, as I had to leave for Belgium that night.
“Before the hockey squad left for Belgium, I had been told to be prepared to replace any keeper if there were problems,” he said.
Muhammad Hafizuddin said however, he was confident that fellow goalkeeper Roslan Jamaluddin will also have the opportunity to be selected to play.
Muhammad Hafizuddin, 23, said the last international tournament he had played in was the Glasgow Commonwealth Games last year.
“Although that was the last time I played in a big match, I am always ready and will do my best to ensure Malaysia qualifies for the final round,” he said. — Bernama