National women hockey squad set sights on Olympic qualifier spot

KUALA LUMPUR: Speedy Tigresses' coach CR Kumar has identified several areas for improvement following their 4-0 victory over Thailand, which placed them fifth at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Malaysia, currently ranked 21st globally, converted two penalty corners in the 14th and 18th minutes, with Khairunnisa Ayuni Sharuddin scoring twice.

Nur Afiqah Syahzani Azha and Nur Zariefah Dania Mazlan added two more goals, respectively in the 22nd and 53rd minutes. Malaysia dominated with 17 penalty corners, three of which were converted. Their Asian Games campaign concluded with five wins and two losses, including a 4-0 defeat to world No. 4 China and a 2-1 loss to world No. 17 South Korea in the group stage.

This marked the sixth consecutive appearance in the top five at the Asian Games since 2006. Malaysia Hockey Confederation (MHC) set a target for coach Kumar to secure a top-four position, a move he took on in April. Despite the fifth-place finish, Malaysia has secured a spot in the Olympic qualifying tournament for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Kumar emphasized the need to focus on penalty corner set pieces, defense, and ball possession. The team will now prepare for the Asian Champions Trophy in Bhopal, India, starting in four weeks, where they will face the top five Asian teams. Kumar, who previously led the national women's team from 2002 to 2006, reiterated the team's commitment to meeting the expectations placed upon them.