{
  "id": 3765897,
  "title": "Former India hockey coach sees Malaysia as a threat",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/former-india-hockey-coach-sees-malaysia-as-a-threat",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-27T16:00:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/hockey/2026/08/1520249/former-india-hockey-coach-sees-malaysia-threat"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR: Former India hockey coach V. Baskaran believes Malaysia could be a formidable threat to challenge the defending champions India at the upcoming Asian Games in Japan next month. Baskaran singled out Malaysia, Pakistan and South Korea as the three teams capable of contending with India. However, he emphasized that there are no clear favorites for the Asian Games.\n\nTwelve teams will participate in the men's competition, with India placed in Group A alongside Japan, South Korea, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Group B includes Pakistan, Malaysia, China, Oman, Uzbekistan and Thailand. Baskaran noted that any of these teams could emerge victorious.\n\nPakistan forwards have been impressive at the ongoing World Cup, but Japan, who participated in the World Cup, were lackluster. China, despite not participating in the World Cup, is renowned for their fitness and may pose a threat to other teams. Baskaran suggested that Malaysia has a chance to reach the semi-finals, but they need to enhance their defense.\n\nBaskaran also pointed out that India underperformed at the World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands, where they were supposed to aim for a top four finish. At the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, South Korea and China qualified for the semi-finals, while Malaysia finished sixth, losing to Pakistan 5-2.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Who can take the men's hockey gold from defending champions India at next month's Asian Games in Japan?",
  "key_points": [
    "Malaysia could challenge defending champions India at Asian Games.",
    "Baskaran highlights Malaysia, Pakistan, and South Korea as contenders.",
    "India underperformed at recent major tournaments."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}