With the third edition of the FIH Hockey Men’s Nations Cup just one day away, here’s what the captains and coaches of the participating teams have to say…
Danny Newcombe, Head Coach, Wales
“We’re incredibly excited to test ourselves against top-class opposition at the FIH Nations Cup 2025. This group is ready to compete, and we head into the tournament with belief, hunger, and a clear expectation to challenge every team we face. We’ve struck a great balance in the squad—blending the experience of our senior players with the energy and ambition of some exciting young talent coming through. It’s also fantastic to welcome back our GB Olympic athletes, whose experience at the highest level brings real quality and a competitive edge to the group. Malaysia is a fantastic place to play international hockey—passionate fans, top-class facilities, and an atmosphere that every player relishes.”
John-John Dohmen, Head Coach, France
“Our team has been training and preparing for the competition for several months. We have done everything we can to achieve the best possible result. I’d like to quote a phrase from Nelson Mandela that inspires us: ‘A winner is a dreamer who never gives up”
Raiki Fujishima, Captain, Japan
“Our goal for the FIH Nations Cup is clear: to win the tournament and secure a place in the FIH Pro League. We train hard every day with the aim of achieving strong results on the international stage. This tournament is a great opportunity to test ourselves, and we’re genuinely excited to see where we stand. As a team, we’re united and determined to give it everything we’ve got. With strong Samurai spirits and full commitment, we’ll deliver our best performance.”
Lee Jung Jun, Captain, Korea
“We are so happy to be able to compete in the FIH Hockey Nations Cup 2025. We have prepared hard and will showcase a good game. Our primary goal is to advance to the semi-finals and then do our best from there on.”
Muhammad Marhan Mohd Jalil, Captain, Malaysia
“It is an honour to play at our home ground. Seeing and hearing the spectators chanting and supporting us during our matches builds our confidence and strength throughout the competition. Our goal is to win this tournament. Doing so would be our way of showing appreciation to Malaysian hockey fans for their unwavering support.”
Greg Nicol, Head Coach, New Zealand
“It’s great to be back playing international hockey again. The FIH Nations Cup was a successful event for us last year so we are hoping for a similar experience this time”.
Sam Mvimbi, Captain, South Africa
“Our group is super excited. It’s been a while since we have had some competitive matches against other nations. And with some new coaches and new players, including six debutants, we are excited to see what the team can do at this tournament.”
Watch all the matches from the FIH Hockey Men’s Nations Cup Malaysia 2025 LIVE from 15-21 June by signing up to the new reimagined version of the Watch.Hockey platform.
