Malaysian Tigress Cruise To Ninth Straight Gold, But Coach Says It's Been Tough

From Muhammad Afiff Md Adnan

CHONBURI, Dec 19 (Bernama) -- The national women’s hockey team may have won the SEA Games gold medal for the ninth consecutive time by thrashing Indonesia 6-0 in the final at the Thailand National Sports University here today.

But as far as Malaysian Tigress head coach Mohd Nasihin Nubli is concerned, it has not been all plain sailing, saying that "many teams were well prepared for the SEA Games”.

“Alhamdulillah, we managed to retain our gold medal. But it did not come easily.

“I salute our players because the conditions here were tough, but they adapted quickly. There are no words to express how happy I am, and we thank the hockey fans who patiently waited for this gold medal,” he said.

The Malaysian Tigress’ display in the final, however, belied their coach's humble assessment, as they took just eight minutes to get the ball rolling, with a Khairunnisa Ayuni Mohd Sharuddin's penalty corner goal before Nurmaizatul Hanim Syafi Shiek Fuad doubled their lead 11 minutes later with a field goal.

Khairunnisa Ayuni then made it 3-0 with three minutes left in the second quarter before a quick brace from Nur Afiqah Syahzani Azhar (46th and 49th minutes) gave Malaysia a comfortable 5-0 lead.

Hanis Nadiah Onn then sealed a stylish victory with the final goal in the 57th minute.

-- BERNAMA