KUALA LUMPUR: The national junior hockey team have set a top-four target for the Junior Asia Cup (JAC) in Muscat, Oman, on Nov 26-Dec 4.
The tournament doubles up as the Asian qualifier for next year's Junior World Cup (JWC) in India.
The top six teams, excluding hosts India, will earn JWC berths.
The Young Tigers, ranked No. 11 in the junior rankings, are drawn in Group B with Pakistan (No. 9), Bangladesh (No. 21), Oman (No. 33) and China (No. 48).
Defending champions India, ranked second in the world, are with South Korea (No. 12), Japan (No. 18), Taiwan (No. 37) and Thailand (No. 40) in Group A.
Malaysia are the third-highest-ranked team in Asia, behind India and Pakistan.
The Young Tigers will open their JAC campaign against China on Nov 26.
China, making their first JWC appearance since the 2015 edition in Kuantan, will be a relatively unknown quantity.
Malaysia head into the tournament with something to prove after a disappointing last-place finish in the Sultan of Johor Cup (SoJC) in October.
While Malaysia are expected to seal JWC qualification comfortably, coach I. Vickneswaran insists that a semi-final berth is the team's main goal.
"The 20-member squad know what is required, and there's no room for mistakes," said Vickneswaran.
"Pakistan, who finished in the top eight at last year's JWC in Bukit Jalil, will be our strongest challenge in the group.
"We're cautious about China's capabilities and won't underestimate Bangladesh or Oman."