KUALA LUMPUR: Defender Baljit Singh Charun had to have nine stitches on his lips after being hit during a friendly against New Zealand at the Bukit Serendit Hockey Stadium in Malacca on Monday.

This makes the Ipoh-born player a doubtful starter in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, which begins in his hometown on Saturday.

The 27-year-old Baljit was hit on the upper lips by the ball in the first-half and was taken to hospital.

Baljit, who has 148 international caps, is a key defender in the national team.

And he didn’t feature in the second friendly against the Kiwis in Malacca last night.

In the first friendly, Malaysia lost 3-2 to the Kiwis, who are the defending champions of the tournament.

National assistant coach S. Arulselvaraj said that it was unfortunate that Baljit injured his lips as he played well in the match.

Baljit, who married lawyer Jasvin Kaur last month, is still eager to play in the tournament despite the injury.

“I should recover in the time for the tournament and feature in the tournament, which will be held in my hometown,” said Baljit, who made his international debut in the same tournament in 2007.

Baljit last featured for the national team in the Champions Challenge I tournament in Argentina last November.

There are 20 players in the national team and two will be dropped when the final 18 is named today.

Besides Malaysia and New Zealand, the other teams taking part are Australia, India, Pakistan and South Korea.

• Please wait.

• Rugby: Former All Black coach Henry on misconduct charge
• Analysis - Has the anchor ban come too late?
• Boxing chief Wu confirms IOC presidency bid
• Cooper headlines Wallabies auditions in Super Rugby
• America's Cup makes changes to improve safety following death
• Wasps wing Wade scoops award double
• Only Nicol David left to fly Malaysian flag
• Youngster Rahul getting to terms with racing in Formula 4
• Dane Jorgensen’s wish is to avoid Chinese ace Lin Dan in World Championships
• Jazeman ready to lap it up in his first run at Monaco