KUALA LUMPUR: Speedy Tigresses came back from a goal down to hammer Singapore 8-1 to finish fifth in the women’s Asian Cup hockey in Hangzhou, China, today.
The teams that finished second to fifth in the Asia Cup will compete in the World Cup qualifiers next year.
World No. 4 China, the silver medallist at 2024 Paris Olympics, will face world No. 9 India in the final later today and champions will qualify for 2026 World Cup to be held in the Netherlands and Belgium.
The other teams that will feature in the World Cup qualifier are Japan and South Korea.
Nasihin Nubli’s team who outplayed Singapore 6-2 in the group match, was trailing with a fourth minute goal by Cheryll Chia off a penalty corner but Malaysia equalised through Nur Afiqah Syahzani Azhar in the 18th minute.
Nurmaizatul Hanim Syafi Shiek Fuad (32nd), Anith Humaira Baharudin (38th), Nuramirah Shakirah Zulkifli (39th, 46th), Nur Iman Adawiyah Suhaimi (45th), Nur Afiqah Syahzani (51st) and Nur Aisyah Che Musa (52nd) delivered the other goals for Malaysia.
Nasihin said that there are few areas they need to work on like players’ fitness, strength and technical game.
“The players themselves know that the World Cup qualifiers will be much tougher so we need to improve in every aspect of the game.
“I want the players to focus more on training and make sure that there is no more complaint about weaknesses of the players for the World Cup qualifiers.
In the playoff for seventh position, Thailand outplayed Taiwan 4-1.
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