22-06-2025
Speedy Tigresses avoid last place at Nations Cup 2
KUALA LUMPUR: National women's hockey coach Nasihin Nubli admitted he was relieved after the Speedy Tigresses avoided the wooden spoon at the Women's Nations Cup 2 in Poland on Sunday.
Malaysia edged South Africa 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regulation time to finish seventh out of eight teams.
Nuramirah Syakirah Zulkifli, Siti Nur Arfah Nor, Nur Shamine Azureen Badusha, and Fatin Shafika Mahd Sukri all converted in the shootout.
Earlier, Nur Afiqah Syahzani Azhar had given Malaysia the lead in the 49th minute, before Charne Maddocks equalised for South Africa seven minutes later.
It was Malaysia's first win in five matches at the tournament.
They had lost all three group games — 2-0 to Poland, 3-1 to South Africa and 4-2 to Uruguay — before being hammered 5-0 by Italy in the 5th-8th classification match.
"I'm relieved we finally got our first win," said Nasihin.
"My players were under pressure throughout the tournament, facing top-tier opposition. There are definitely areas we need to improve before our next outing."
The team will now shift their focus to the Asia Cup in Hangzhou, China from Sept 5-14.
