{
  "id": 6710318,
  "title": "Pressure builds on coach Carolan to deliver Asian Games final spot",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/pressure-builds-on-coach-carolan-to-deliver-asian-games-final-spot",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-11T04:48:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/hockey/2026/09/1530392/pressure-builds-coach-carolan-deliver-asian-games-final-spot"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Malaysian men's hockey team faces mounting pressure to secure a spot in the final of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. After failing to advance beyond the World Cup quarter-finals in Belgium, the Malaysia Hockey Confederation (MHC) has set a target for the national team to reach the Asian Games final, where a gold medal would grant an automatic berth for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Coach Brendon Carolan, hired in April, is not concerned about the pressure but is focused on preparing his team for the Asian Games. Despite finishing last among 16 teams at the World Cup, with two draws and four losses, Carolan believes the team made progress and is working hard. The team will face strong opponents in their group, including world-ranked 12 Pakistan and 20 China, but aims to top their group and avoid facing defending champions India in the semi-finals.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: The pressure is on the national men's hockey team to bounce back and reach the final of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games after their World Cup failure in Belgium.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Mainichi",
        "title": "Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games competition starts ahead of opening ceremony",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/aichi-nagoya-asian-games-competition-starts-ahead-of-opening-ceremony",
        "published": "2026-09-11T02:05:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Nikkei Asia",
        "title": "Through the Lens: Record rainfall in Nagoya wreaks havoc on Asian Games",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/through-the-lens-record-rainfall-in-nagoya-wreaks-havoc-on-asian-games",
        "published": "2026-09-11T02:13:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Asian Games 2026: The force behind 400 metre national record holder Vishal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/asian-games-2026-the-force-behind-400-metre-national-record-holder",
        "published": "2026-09-11T02:42:21.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Why is N. Korea sending bigger-than-expected team to Asian Games in Japan?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/why-is-n-korea-sending-bigger-than-expected-team-to-asian-games-in",
        "published": "2026-09-11T02:47:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Zi Yu, 16, leads new generation in Asian Games badminton squad",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/zi-yu-16-leads-new-generation-in-asian-games-badminton-squad",
        "published": "2026-09-11T07:19:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "RTHK English",
        "title": "HK names 11-strong equestrian squad for Asian Games",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/hk-names-11-strong-equestrian-squad-for-asian-games",
        "published": "2026-09-11T10:08:51.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}