50 Tahun Lalu: Malaysia Menjadi Tuan Rumah Hoki Piala Dunia 1975
Pada 1 Mac 1975, tekanan sudah pastinya berada di atas pasukan tuan rumah,Malaysia dalam perlawanan pembuka tirai Piala Dunia Hoki 1975 menentang pasukan New Zealand.
Kedua-dua negara tersebut diundi ke dalam Pool A bersama Sepanyol, Poland, Belanda, dan Pakistan manakala Pool B peringkat kumpulan diwakili oleh India, Jerman Barat, Australia, England, Argentina dan Ghana.
Pakistan dan Belanda menjadi pasukan pilihan rama untuk menjuarai kejohanan ini setelah masing-masing berjaya membawa pulang trofi kejohanan edisi pertama dan kedua pada 1971 dan 1973. Naib kapten Belanda, Ties Kruize, dikatakan senjata tajam pasukan sebagai pakar pukulan sudut penalti. Beliau merupakan penjaring gol terbanyak mereka di Sukan Olimpik Munich 1972 dan Hoki Piala Dunia 1973.
Malaysia di bawah bimbingan bekas pemain kebangsaan, Jurulatih Ho Koh Chye juga bukan tanpa bintang. Penjaga gol legenda tersebut telah mewakili negara dalam dua edisi Sukan Olimpik (1964, 1968), sebelum bersara pada tahun 1970. Kapten skuad N. Sri Shanmuganathan juga pernah bermain di pentas Olimpik sebanyak dua kali (1968, 1972). Pada masa itu, beliau menganggap kemenangan pingat gangsa Malaysia di Sukan Asia 1974 sebagai salah satu kejayaan terbaik mereka.
Sebagai tuan rumah edisi ketiga, Malaysia semenangnya tekad untuk menjadikan kejohanan tersebut acara sukan terbesar negara. Perbelanjaan kejohanan yang dianjurkan oleh Konfederasi Hoki Malaysia telah melebihi bajet awal RM500,000 bagi menampung kos penginapan, pengangkutan dan makanan untuk acara-acara yang berlangsung di empat lokasi: Kuala Lumpur, Pulau Pinang, Ipoh, dan Seremban.
Nantikan paparan yang seterusnya untuk kisah Malaysia di Hoki Piala Dunia 1975.
(Kredit foto asal: The Star)
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50 YEARS AGO: Malaysia Hosts the 1975 Hockey World Cup
On 1 March 1975, the pressure was on for Malaysia to play the opening match of the 1975 Hockey World Cup against New Zealand.
The two nations were part of Pool A along with Spain, Poland, the Netherlands (then Holland), and Pakistan. Meanwhile, Pool B of the group stage included India, West Germany, Australia, England, Argentina and Ghana.
Pakistan and the Netherlands were the favourites to take home the trophy as former champions of the first and second editions respectively. Vice-captain of the Netherlands’ team Ties Kruize was said to be their deadly weapon as a penalty corner specialist. He was their top goal scorer at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games and the 1973 Hockey World Cup.
Malaysia also had its stars under the guidance of former national player Coach Ho Koh Chye. The legendary goalkeeper represented the country in two Olympics (1964, 1968) before retiring in 1970. Captain of the squad was N. Sri Shanmuganathan who had also played in two Olympics (1968, 1972). After winning bronze at the 1974 Asian Games, he considered it to be one of Malaysia’s finest moments on the pitch.
As hosts of the third edition, Malaysia was determined to make it their biggest sporting event yet. No expenses were spared as it was reported that the Malaysian Hockey Confederation, as organisers, spent over their initial budget of RM500,000. This included all accommodation, transport and food expenses for the tournament that took place over four cities: Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Ipoh and Seremban.
Stay tuned as we reflect further on Malaysia at the 1975 Hockey World Cup.
(Original photo credit: The Star)
