Hockey: Malaysia Fall To Japan In Opening Women’s Junior World Cup Outing

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 2 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian team began their FIH Hockey Women's Junior World Cup campaign on a sour note when they lost 4-1 to Japan in their opening Group A tie in Santiago, Chile, early today (Malaysian time).

Japan got their goals through Yoshida Rei (fifth minute), Saiti Hanami (eighth minute), Tabuchi Sena (10th minute) and Usi Ayano (56th minute), while Zawiatul Akma Hartomo scored Malaysia’s consolation goal in the 21st minute.

National women’s junior team head coach Lailin Abu Hassan was pleased with his players’ spirited performance despite the defeat.

“Overall, I am pleased with their performance, although they seemed hesitant during the first quarter, which resulted in them conceding three goals.

“However, we fought back and got a goal through a penalty corner setpiece,” he said in an audio clip shared by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) today.

As for their second Group A match against Chile on Thursday (Dec 4), Lailin hopes his players can work on their weaknesses and not make the same mistakes.

Malaysia will end their group fixtures with a match against the Dutch on Saturday (Dec 6).

-- BERNAMA