ACT: Malaysian Tigress Fall Short Of Podium After Losing 1-4 To Japan

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 (Bernama) -- Malaysia missed the chance of ending an 11-year podium drought at the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) hockey tournament after suffering a 1-4 against Japan in the third-fourth play-off match, today.

Japan, the reigning runner-up, showed no chill as they took an early lead through Mayuri Horikawa’s penalty corner in the third minute at the Bihar University of Sports Hockey Stadium in Rajgir, India.

The world number 11 then extended their advantage with two field goals in the second quarter, courtesy of Hiroka Murayama (24th minute) and Ayana Tamura (28th minute). Miyu Hasegawa then converted a penalty corner in the 35th minute.

The Malaysian Tigress, ranked 23rd in the world, managed a consolation goal in the final quarter when Azmyra Mia Sofea Azhairy netted a field goal in the 48th minute.

Yesterday, Malaysia suffered a 1-3 defeat to Paris 2024 Olympic silver medalists China in the semi-finals.

The only time Malaysia has secured a podium finish in the tournament was in the 2013 edition held in Kakamigahara, Japan, where they won bronze.

National head coach Mohamed Nasihin Nubil Ibrahim believes the ACT would be a stepping stone to further strengthen the Malaysian Tigress squad.

"The players didn't start well in the first quarter, had punished us with the first three goals. But in the third and fourth quarters, players can show good performance, after the structure and position are exchanged, they can even score goals.

"There are many things that need to be improved, especially the confidence, physical and technical strength. This is the first time we are playing as a team, with 10 players being 21 years old, so we will find a recipe to keep improving," he said in a video shared by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC).

--BERNAMA