KUALA LUMPUR: Penalty corner specialist Razie Abdul Rahim is ready to fire in the goals when he makes his third straight Hockey World Cup appearance in India on Jan 13-29.
On his World Cup debut in the Hague, Netherlands, in 2014, Razie scored three goals, but Malaysia lost all six matches to finish last.
Four years later in Bhubaneswar, India, Razie netted two goals in three matches as the Speedy Tigers finished 15th out of 16 teams.
The 35-year-old, who has 307 caps, believes Malaysia will do better than the previous two World Cup outings in India.
Malaysia are in Pool C with the Netherlands, New Zealand and Chile. Arul Selvaraj's side will open against the Dutch side on Jan 14, followed by Chile (Jan 16) and New Zealand (June 19).
"I am confident we can achieve our quarter-final target. Our main challenge will be in our opening match against the Netherlands. I believe we can beat Chile and New Zealand.
"Compared with other groups, I think we have a favourable draw.
"If we finish second, we will take on the third-placed team in Group B, which will either be South Korea or Japan in the play-off for a quarter-final spot. Defending champions Belgium and world No 6 Germany are expected to finish top two in that group.
"It will be great for our ranking if we reach the last eight," said Razie, who scored 13 goals in the Asia Cup in Jakarta in May.
Among the players with World Cup appearances in the national squad are Marhan Jalil, Faiz Helmi Jalil, Firhan Ashari and Faizal Saari.
Razie said he was ready to shoulder the heavy responsibility of playing in the heart of defence and scoring goals from penalty corners.
"I have five World Cup goals and hope to add more to my tally in India. I am working hard to sharpen my game.
"It will likely be my last World Cup, and I hope it will be memorable.
"This is likely to be my last World Cup and I want it to be a memorable one for me and my teammates," Razie added.
The World Cup in India will be held in two cities — Rourkela and Bhubaneswar.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
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