Speedy Tigress On Journey Of Exposure, Experience At World Cup Qualifiers

KUALA LUMPUR, 17 Feb (Bernama) -- The national women's hockey team will travel to Santiago, Chile, for the 2026 FIH World Cup Qualifiers, scheduled from March 1-8, aimed at gaining exposure and experience.

Speedy Tigress coach Mohd Nasihin Nubli stressed that their mission this time is to expose the younger players to a competitive tournament, especially in facing world-class teams.

"The focus for our women's team is 'performance and process’. This is because we will be fielding six players from our 2025 Junior World Cup squad.

"So, we hope to optimise the World Cup Qualifiers… this is the kind of high-level exposure we want for our women's team moving forward,” he said yesterday.

At the FIH World Cup Qualifiers in Santiago, Malaysia have been drawn in Group B with Ireland, Canada and Japan. Group A comprises Australia, Chile, France and Switzerland.

The Speedy Tigress will begin their Group B campaign against Ireland on March 3, before facing Canada on March 4 and Japan on March 6.

Based on the competition format, the two best teams from Group A and Group B will advance to the semi-finals.

-- BERNAMA