The national women’s indoor hockey team got off on the right foot in their Asia Cup campaign with big wins over Vietnam and Oman respectively in Chonburi, Thailand today.
Drawn in Group A, the Malaysians stormed to a 25-0 victory over Vietnam, and 12-1 against Oman. The team earned 19 penalty corners and one penalty stroke against Oman, and leads the table standings with six points.
Thailand’s National Sports University is the venue for the tournament.
Kazakhstan triumphed 28-0 against the Vietnamese while Iran defeated Oman 8-0 in Group A matches. In Group B, Indonesia scored a 4-2 win over Cambodia.
The Malaysian team head coach Mohd Rodzhanizam Mohd Radzi said in a statement released by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation that the players showed a high-level of discipline and commitment in both matches.
The win will boost their confidence for Tuesday’s crucial ties against Kazakhstan and Iran.
In the match against Vietnam, Siti Nur Arfah Mohd Nor scored six goals, followed by Nur Atira Mohamad Ismail (5 goals), Iren Hussin (3), Putri Nur Batrisyia Nor Nawawi (3), Raja Norsharina Raja Shahbuddin (2), Nor Asfarina Isahyifiqa Isahhidun (2), Juliani Mohamad (2), while Fazilla Sylvester and Nuraslinda Said scored one a piece.
The Malaysians aim to emerge champions in the tournament, which would qualify them an automatic spot in next year’s Indoor Hockey World Cup that will be held in Croatia. For the record, Malaysia finished in third position at the last edition of the Asia Cup.
