New Straits Times: Australia have claimed the Azlan Shah Cup gold medal even before the first whistle today, and it means Malaysia will face a torrid time at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

Coach Wallace Tan’s men will be pitted against the Athens Olympic gold medallists, and the outcome is quite predictable.

'We are here to win the gold medal, and also as training for the (2005) Champions Trophy and the (2006) Commonwealth Games,' said Australian coach Barry Dancer.

The Aussies have flown in with 11 Athens gold medallists, and will be blooding new players for the December Chennai Champions Trophy, and Dancer said the next two weeks in Kuala Lumpur will be crucial for his team.

'We will be using this tournament for team cohesion, and it will be an important mission even without three influential players.'

Missing from the line-up are Michael Brennan and Mark Hickman, who have retired, and the suspended midfielder Troy Elder, who has 143 caps under his belt.

He was suspended by Hockey Australia for 12 months over a row over his overseas playing commitments with Dutch club Orange Zwart.

But still, Australia will be too strong for the rest of the Azlan Shah Cup cast, and they are the overwhelming favourites to defend their title.

Australia have a proud hockey tradition, but still, are finding it very hard to secure a title sponsor to take their gave to the next level. Elder took the suspension, because he can play professionally in Europe without having to work for income.

'We are still finding it hard to source for sponsors, even after winning the Olympic gold medal. But thankfully, the government and the AIS (Australian Institute of Sports) have been generous with their funding,' said Dancer.

Visit the New Straits Times website.