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Hockey players Razie Rahim and Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Tengku Abdul Jalil have been urged to reconsider their decision to quit the national squad.

Forward Muhammad Haziq Samsul, 21, said the two senior players are still young and important because they are the backbone of the national hockey squad.

The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) and coaches also need to reconsider the decision of five senior players to quit the national squad.

“Perhaps it is time for some senior players to quit but players such as Razie Rahim, Shukri Mutalib and Tengku Tajuddin are still needed for their experience.

“Senior players such as Roslan Jamaluddin and Azlan Misron gave me advice and encouragement. I am confident that we will perform better in the qualifiers for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games,” he told Bernama.

Other senior players who plan to quit are goalkeeper Roslan Jamaluddin, Baljit Singh Charun Singh and Azlan Misron.

Muhammad Haziq said he will return to play for the junior squad in the Sultan of Johor Cup in October and the Asian Youth Cup in November.

Malaysia finished sixth at the World Hockey League championship in Belgium after losing 1-4 to Ireland, thus missing to qualify for 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Following the failure, the MHC is expected to reshuffle the national squad including coach Tai Beng Hai. – BERNAMA

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