Another chance for Malaysia’s Rahim Razie to change the tone of familiarity in defeat Premium
The Hindu
Malaysia's hockey team has endured heartbreak in trying to qualify for the Olympics. Despite this, veteran Razie Rahim remains hopeful, motivated by the dream of finally making it to the quadrennial event. He has been part of the team since 2006, and his experience and leadership have helped the Speedy Tigers reach new heights. With a closely-knit unit, Malaysia is ready to take on the challenge.
The last time a Malaysian hockey team played at the Olympics, Bill Clinton was the president of the USA, France was the FIFA World Champion, and man had just averted the Y2K crisis.
Players who have worn the iconic ‘yellow and black’ jersey since, have had to bear the ignominy of faltering at the final hurdle in trying to secure a place at the quadrennial event. Then there’s the burden of letting down your fans.
Chances have come Malaysia’s way. On more occasions than one, the Speedy Tigers have had their fate in their hands, but they have let the opportunities slip away. It has been a tale of one heartbreak after another, the most recent coming in 2018.
The 2018 Asian Games offered one spot at the Tokyo Olympics. Malaysia had bettered favourite India in the semifinal and was just one step away from achieving the elusive feat.
In the final, Malaysia led Japan 5-2 with 10 minutes left in the last quarter. The spot was right there, ready to be grabbed. Malaysia was charging full steam at it. Until it was not.
The Samurai Japan struck thrice in the next eight minutes to pare the score. Abdul Jalil put Malaysia back in front in the penultimate minute only for Japan to squeeze in a goal in the dying seconds and force a shootout.
Malaysia lost 1-3 in the subsequent contest and its hopes of finally breaking the Olympics jinx came crashing down.
Asian Games champion Avinash Sable opened his season in the 3000m steeple chase with a silver in the Portland Track Festival, a World Athletics Continental Tour bronze event, in Oregon on Saturday. He clocked 8:21.85s. Asian champion Parul Chaudhary took the bronze in the women’s 3000m steeple chase in a season-best 9:31.38s. Former Asian bronze medallist Sanjivani Jadhav struck gold in the women’s 10,000m in 32:22.77s, a time which was a second off her personal best, while Seema was sixth in 32:55.91s.