Thursday January 3, 2013
Pint-sized Faizal out to make huge impact in India League
By AFTAR SINGH
KUALA LUMPUR: Diminutive forward Faizal Saari is ready to weave his magical goal-den touch with the Mumbai Magicians in the Hockey India League, which begins on Jan 16.
The 22-year-old has been plundering the goals for the national hockey team – including scoring six goals (three penalty corners and three field goals) en route to helping Malaysia finish third in the Asian Champions Trophy in Doha last month.
Now, he aims to do the same with the Mumbai Magicians, who will pay him US$26,000 (about RM78,000) for about three weeks’ work as the League ends on Feb 7.
Faizal, who has 97 international caps, said he was more than pleased with his performance in Doha.
“I scored six goals in five matches and was the top scorer for Malaysia in Doha. My mission in India is to score in every match and be the top scorer for the Magicians,” said Faizal, who will be making his debut in the professional league.
Faizal said he was excited to play in the league “not because of the money I will get but to prove that I can still score despite my size (157cm tall)”.
“For me, it’s more important to play well and score than what I’m paid,” said Faizal, who netted 20 goals for Tenaga Nasional to become the top scorer in last year’s Malaysia Hockey League (MHL).
“I want to make a good impression in the Hockey India League as I’ll be up against the best players from all over the world.
“It’ll also be a good learning experience for me as I’ll learn new things.”
The Mumbai Magicians will be handled by Australian national coach Ric Charlesworth, who guided Australia to the Champions Trophy in Melbourne last month.
The other foreign players in the Mumbai Magicians are Australians Glenn Turner, Joel Carroll and Matthew Swann and Pakistanis Imran Butt, Rashid Mehmood, Fareed Ahmed and Muhammad Tousiq and Spain’s Sergi Enrique.
Besides Faizal, national goalkeeper S. Kumar will also be making his debut in the league.
Kumar, who is a Tenaga employee, wil receive US$15,000 (RM45,000) from the Uttar Pradesh Wizards.
The other sides in the five-team league are Delhi Waveriders, Punjab Warriors and Ranchi Rhinos.
Australian Jamie Dwyer, 33 – a five-time FIH World Player of the Year in 2004, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011 – will feature for the Punjab Warriors.