Asia Cup : Pride on the line against Pakistan

Malaysia will go all out to chalk up a win over Pakistan today to salvage some pride in the women’s Junior Asia Cup hockey tournament at the Seremban II Hockey Stadium.

After having lost the first two Group A matches against Japan (1-2) and defending champions China (0-3), Malaysia are out of the race to get among the top four in the nine-team tournament.

“We are now looking at finishing among the top six and we have to beat Pakistan. They were thrashed 0-17 by Japan and we have a good chance to get the better of them,” said coach Yahya Atan.

“My players have promised to give their best. Penalty corner hitter Nurul Nadia (Mokhtar) scored a goal against Japan and I am counting on her the deliver the goals against Pakistan,” said Yahya.

Pakistan have three points from a win over Thailand (2-1). Malaysia’s final group fixture is against Thailand on Thursday.

Japan, meanwhile, book their place in the semi-finals by chalking up their third consecutive win yesterday, beating Thailand 15-0.

The top three teams in the tournament will represent Asia in the Junior World Cup Finals in Boston schedule for Aug 3-18.

Group A: Japan 15 Thailand 0.

Group B: India 2 South Korea 3.

Group A: Japan vs China (4pm), Pakistan vs Malaysia (8pm).

Group B: South Korea vs Singapore (6pm).