KUALA LUMPUR – The national women’s five-a-side hockey team confirmed their place in the quarter-finals of the Hockey5s World Cup after drawing 4-4 with Fiji in their final Group A match in Muscat, Oman today.
The stalemate sees Malaysia finish second in the group with four points, the same as Fiji who end up third with an inferior goal difference, thus allowing Malaysia to set up a quarter-final date against South Africa tomorrow.
The Netherlands top Group A with nine points while hosts Oman prop up the standings with no points.
In today’s match against Fiji at the Hockey Oman Venue, Malaysia got their goals through Dian Nursyakira Najwa Al-Wadqa Nazeri (15th, 20th minutes); Ellya Syahirah Ellias (21st); and Qhairunisya Mohd Zanili (23rd) while Lora Bukalidi (second); Melba Nautu (18th); Tiara Dutta (20th) and Lala Ravatu (26th) replied for Fiji.
National forward Nur Zafirah Aziz warned her teammates not to be carried away with advancing to the last eight and to, instead, stay focused on the task at hand as they prepare to face South Africa tomorrow.
“I think it’s (going to be) quite a tough game, but we will be prepared. Keep supporting us and just pray that we will qualify for the semi-finals,” she said in a video clip the Malaysian Hockey Confederation shared with the media today.
South Africa, meanwhile, topped Group B with nine points after winning all three matches, followed by Ukraine (six points), Australia (three points) and Zimbabwe (no points).
Yesterday, Malaysia began their group campaign in style by hammering hosts Oman 10-0 before suffering a similar pounding at the hands of the Dutch in the second game. – January 25, 2024