South Korea halt Malaysia's dream to Tokyo Olympics

KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will have to wait for another four years to earn the elusive Olympic Games slot after losing 0-3 to South Korea in the semi-finals of FIH Women's Series Finals Hockey Tournament at Banbridge Hockey Club in Northern Ireland on Saturday.

The defeat will pit Malaysia against the Czech Republic in the third/fourth classification match, while South Korea will meet Ireland in the title decider, and both matches will be held on Sunday.

Following their victories in the semi-finals, both Ireland and South Korea have qualified for the 2019 International Hockey Federation (FIH) Olympics Qualifiers to be held either in October or November which serves as the final qualifying tournament to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Games.

In today's action which was telecast via tournament website;www.fihseriesfinals.com, South Korea led 2-0 at halftime, courtesy of a field goal each from Cho Hyejin in the 12th minute and Kim Hyunji, five minutes later.

South Korea put the results beyond doubt after Cheon Eunbi scored a field goal in the 48th minute for her country’s third goal.

For the record, the Malaysian women's hockey team have yet to qualify for the Olympic Games since the introduction of women's hockey competition in Moscow, Russia in 1980.

-- BERNAMA