by BERNAMA / pic credit: Malaysian Hockey Confederation FB
KUALA LUMPUR – The National Women’s Special Project Hockey Squad bounced back from their disappointment in the first match to beat Singapore 2-0 in the second in the 2022 Women’s Hockey Asia Cup at the Sultan Qaboos Complex, Muscat, Oman last night.
The Malaysian Tigress, who were drubbed 9-0 by defending champions India on Friday in their opening Group A match, opened the scoring as early as the seventh minute through Fatin Shafika Mahd Sukri who brilliantly converted a penalty corner flick from captain Juliani Mohamad Din.
The young Malaysian team, who are out to gain experience and exposure, notched the second goal a minute later from another penalty corner which was converted by experienced player Nuraini Abdul Rashid.
The match also saw Fatin Shafika selected as the best player of the match, according to a statement from the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC).
The squad coached by Mohamed Nasihin Nubil Ibrahim, will complete the group stage with a tough task against Japan tonight.
Japan stunned India, who finished fourth at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, with a 2-0 victory to top the standings with six points, followed by India (three points), Malaysia (three) and Singapore without any points.
Only the top two teams from the two groups in the competition will advance to the semi-finals.