FIH confirms Malaysia`s participation in World Cup

New Delhi: FIH on Monday confirmed that Malaysian men`s team has qualified for the 2014 Hockey World Cup, to be held in The Hague, Netherlands.

"Malaysia`s berth at the summer spectacular was guaranteed following Korea?s dramatic 4-3 triumph over India in the final of the men?s Asia Cup 2013 in Ipoh (MAS)," an FIH release said. Like all of the continental championships, the big prize on offer at the Asia Cup was direct World Cup qualification to the event winner. However, with Korea having recently been promoted from first reserves to confirmed World Cup qualifiers thanks to Argentina?s victory in the Pan American Cup, the door was opened to the other reserves for the tournament. Last weekend, second reserves Spain were confirmed for the event courtesy of Germany?s success in TriFinance EuroHockey Championships, meaning that third reserves Malaysia become the team to benefit from Korea?s Asia Cup victory. Malaysia are the tenth men?s team to qualify for the Rabobank Hockey World Cup, with two more places up for grabs at the upcoming continental championships in Oceania and Africa. Eight women?s teams have also been confirmed for the event, with the remaining places going to the winners of the Asian, Oceania, Pan American and African continental championships. PTI