KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 4: Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) bowed to pressure from several quarters and sacked its national coach, Paul Lissek.

The decision to drop German coach was apparently taken following the team’s lacklustre performances in three major international tournaments, including recent Asia Cup, where Malaysia finished fifth among eight teams.

MHF secretary S Satgunam said a letter, stating Lissek has been redesignated from national chief coach to junior development coach, was faxed to the federation by National Sports Council.

He said no replacement has been named. “At the moment there is no national senior coach. With Afro-Asian Games just around the corner, management committee will meet with coaching committee to decide who to name as new senior coach,” Satgunam was quoted as saying in The Star newspaper.

Lissek started off as consultant to Malaysian team three months before 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games and guided Malaysia to hugely successful silver medal.

NSC then employed him on full-time basis after 2000 Sydney Olympics.

However, in span of three years, only success German had to show was a third-place finish in 2002 Asian Games.

The current season saw Malaysia slip from bad to worse, finishing last in Azlan Shah Trophy and Champions Challenge.

The team’s dismal showing in Asia Cup, which was won by India, had media and fans baying for his blood.—PPI