KUALA LUMPUR: National chief coach Sarjit Singh took responsibility for Malaysia's disastrous last placing in the recent Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia, but has no intention of stepping down from his post.
While hockey fans are unhappy with Malaysia's atrocious performance, Sarjit said he wants more time, 12 more months, to prove himself.
It's unusual for a national coach to hold a press conference just after a humiliating international assignment, most prefer to stay low, but Sarjit decided to do so today in Kuala Lumpur to give his side of the story of what went wrong in Hulunbuir.
The 61-year-old Sarjit said he did not expect this kind of result.
"I take responsibility for the failure. We need to be patient and we need to get better. We will get results in 12 months.
"I also need 12 to 14 weeks to focus on our fitness level.
"In an earlier press conference, I had said that I need at least 18 months before anyone can judge us."
World No. 13 Malaysia won only one match out of six in the ACT. The not-so Speedy Tigers started by drawing 2-2 with Pakistan before losing to lowly China (4-2) and India (8-1).
Malaysia then edged Japan (5-4) and drew with South Korea (3-3) before losing to Japan 4-2 on penalty shootout (4-4 in regulation time).
Sarjit, however, felt that Malaysia's ACT matches were close and could have gone either way, except for the one against India.
He claimed that his players are inexperienced.
Sarjit pointed out that the team had played 24 matches since he took over in March, and they need to play at least 40 matches a year.
Following the Hulunbuir horror show, Sarjit said he hopes ex-internationals can give their views and feedback on improving the Speedy Tigers.