Malaysia displayed a lot of fighting spirit to beat New Zealand 5-4 in their last pool match in the Tuanku Zara Cup Women’s international indoor hockey tournament 2023 at Indera Mulia Indoor Stadium this morning.
For Malaysia’s determined effort, they have been rewarded to play in the third and fourth place match tomorrow, as Australia and Namibia played to a 2-2 draw in the final group match of the day.
Malaysia have six points from five matches, while Namibia, who needed to beat Australia for a place in the playoffs, ended with five points after their drawn game. Australia have seven points.
Malaysia who lost 3-2 to Australia in the group match on Thursday, have a chance to redeem itself and finish in a creditable third spot in the tournament.
Today’s win over New Zealand was Malaysia’s second win in the competition after surprisingly defeating the formidable Switzerland 3-1 on Thursday.
A lovely field goal by Nor Isahhiddun in the 4th minute signalled Malaysia’s intention to garner their second victory in the competition.
But New Zealand were equally determined to win and looked like on course to seal it when Hannah Cardno (7th minute), Tegan Buchanan (10th) and Jessica Kelly (13th) netted from a penalty corner and from field goals respectively.
However, the Malaysians showed a rubber ball capacity to bounce back from adversity by scoring through Maznan Nur (16th minute) from a field effort and Iren Hussin converting a penalty corner in the 21st minute.
The goals jarred New Zealand into bright counter-attacking play, which resulted in a field goal scored by Jessica Kelly in the 30th minute which saw her team lead 4-3.
However, that lead was short-lived as Iren Hussin put Malaysia on level terms from a penalty corner conversion in the 31st minute, bringing her personal tally to eight to be the lead goal scorers in the tournament.
This goal spurred the Malaysians to lift their game, which yielded in a splendid field goal scored by Fazilla Sylvester in the 36th minute. Fazilla was adjudged the Player of the Match.
Malaysian team manager Abdul Razak Pendek said after the match that he was pleased fighting spirit of the team.
“They never gave up, and this speaks of their potential for the future,” he said.
TODAY’S RESULTS
South Africa 2 Switzerland 6
New Zealand 4 Malaysia 5
Namibia 2 Australia 2
TOMORROW’S FIXTURES
3rd/4th placing: 2.00pm – Australia v Malaysia
FINAL: 6.00pm – South Africa v Switerland
