Malaysia’s Young Tigress crushed Hong Kong China 11-0 in the 5-8th classification match in the Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2024 in Muscat, Oman on Saturday (Dec 14).
The Young Tigress will now take on Thailand in the 5-6th place match on Sunday (Dec 15). The winner of this match will join the four semifinals – defending champions India, China, Japan and South Korea – at the 2025 Junior World Cup in Santiago, Chile.
Thailand defeated Chinese Taipei 2-1 in the 5-8thclassification to earn a final shot at Junior World Cup qualification.
Earlier in Pool A preliminary round matches, the Malaysians defeated the Thais 3-0.
Azmyra Mia Sofea Azhairy (4th, 16th, 28th) and team captain Anith Humaira Baharudin (20th, 45th, 49th) scored hat-tricks against Hong Kong China. Noor Asyiqin Syakirah Noor Hashim (30th, 39th) converted two field goals, while Nurshamine Azureen Mohammed Badusha(5th), Nurdini Batrisyia Mohd Ridzuan (17th) and Siti Nur Irdina Mohd Nor scripted their names on the score sheet with a goal each.
Anith Humaira received the Player of the Matchaward while Azmyra Mia Sofeay was presented with the Rising Star Award.
Malaysian Tigress head coach Lailin Abu Hassan said: “The goals against Hong Kong came through hard work and the players did an outstanding job. The finishing was good. We controlled the game and had 10 penalty cornersof which three were converted through set pieces. This match (against Hong Kong) was a good practice round in our preparation for the next encounter against Thailand.”
“The players are aware that Thailand is a strong team. Although we won 3-0 in the Group A match, we have to look at Sunday’s 5-6th place match from a different perspective. It is the last chance for both teams to earn one last ticket to the World Cup. I want the players to stay focused against the Thais because we cannot afford to make mistakes. At stake is the last chance to qualify for the Junior World Cup,” added Lailin.
