Hockey5s World Cup: Malaysian Women Off To Perfect Start

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 24 (Bernama) -- The national women's five-a-side hockey team got their Hockey5s World Cup 2024 campaign off to a cracker when they hammered hosts Oman 10-0 in a Group A match in Muscat today.

Zati Alyani Muhamad Zubir starred with four goals (10th, 11th, 22nd and 25th minutes) as Nur Zafirah Aziz bagged a hat-trick (11th, 13th and 27th) while Qhairunisya Mohd Zanili netted a brace in the 16th and 30th minutes and Dian Nursyakira Najwa Al-Wadqa Nazeri chipped in with one in the 22nd minute.

National coach Nabil Fiqri Mohd Noor said the victory is just the tonic to spur them to continue to excel in the prestigious tournament.

"The first objective (in the tournament) is to win and the opening 10-0 victory has given us a huge advantage. The aim for our next game, against the Netherlands tonight, is the same - go for victory.

"This also shows that we have sent a message to the other teams that we are ready for this tournament,” he said in a video clip the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) shared with the media today.

The Malaysians will meet the Dutch side at 8.30 pm today before completing their Group A fixture against Fiji tomorrow.

However, in the second match tonight, Malaysia ended up being thrashed by the Netherlands with a score of 0-10 at the same venue for the Group A competition.

The goals were scored by Lana Kalse (9’ and 20’), Bente van der Veldt (11’ and 17’), Floor de Haan (11’), Sosha Benninga (13’ and 28’), Janneke van de Venne (15’), Danique van der Veerdonk (23’), and Noor de Baat in the 25th minute.

Coach Nabil Fiqri believed that mistakes made by his team at the beginning of the game punished them, hindering their winning momentum over Oman.

"It wasn't the result we expected because we had opportunities early in the game but failed to score. The Dutch team punished us for our mistakes and we conceded 10 easy goals, he said in a video recording shared by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (KHM) to the media.

Nabil Fiqri said the match against Fiji tomorrow was crucial, as only a victory will ensure Malaysia advance to the quarterfinals.

Malaysia is currently in second position in the Group A standings with three points, behind the Netherlands with six points, while Oman and Fiji are in third and fourth place, respectively, without any points.

Malaysia will complete their Group A competition against Fiji tomorrow.

-- BERNAMA