Malaysia

By S. RAMAGURU

KUALA LUMPUR: The experimental rule to limit the number of players of a defending team in the 25-yard area will be enforced in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL), which begins tomorrow.


The rule states that three players of a defending team cannot be in their 25-yard area. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) tried out this rule in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh in March.

The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) secretary, S. Satgunam, said yesterday the team managers had all agreed to the implementation of the rule but they voiced out their concern over the umpires' consistency in applying the rule.

“We believe that this rule will be confirmed by the FIH and we have to get used to it as soon as possible,” he said.

The errant team will concede a penalty corner and a player who persistently flouts the rule will be cautioned or suspended.

Satgunam said that some confusion was to be expected in the opening matches but he was confident that the teams would adapt to it quickly.

“I'm sure many of the coaches have seen the rule in force at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. If they have doubts, they can always refer to us,” he said.

“The tournament's technical committee will also review the matches every week and discuss the feedbacks they receive from the teams.”

Satgunam also reminded the teams that the rule would apply even a team has a player suspended during the course of the game.

“A defending team still need to have three players outside their 25-yard zone even if they are down in numbers,” he said.

Satgunam added that they had a briefing with the umpires on Monday to ensure that the rules were applied effectively. He hoped that teams would co-operate and not make it difficult on the umpires.

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