Malaysian eves defeat Kazakhstan 8-0 to register first win

New Delhi, March 7, 2015: Commencing the FIH Hockey World League Round 2 (Women) on a winning note, Malaysia team stepped on the field with high spirits and completed an outstanding win against Kazakhstan 8-0 in the inaugural match at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi today.

Malaysia played with full confidence with an aim to register their first win in the league while Kazakhstan played a steady game looking at creating opportunities for themselves in the entire match by attacking the opponent’s D but made a goalless run.

An energetic first quarter of the match saw both Malaysia and Kazakhstan in an attacking mode as both the sides were trying to score the first goal in the match. Captain Siti Ruhani did not make any mistake while firing a penalty stroke in the seventh minute of the game itself, helping Malaysia to take the lead by 1-0. It was through the stick of Nurul Mansur that Malaysia attacked the D of Kazakhstan in the tenth minute to score second goal for her team through a field effort, taking the score to 2-0.

Entering the second quarter, Malaysian eves were dominating the game as they were now penetrating in the opponent’s D more frequently. Siti Othman successfully converted a penalty corner in the 28th minute of the match and took the lead further to 3-0. With just a minute left to end the second quarter, Fatin Mahd Sukri surged ahead and pierced in a field goal in the 29th minute of the game. By the end of the second quarter, the girls of Kazakhstan were unable to score any goal and the score stood at 4-0 in favour of Malaysia.

The third quarter saw the same sense of commitment by the eves of Malaysia who made wonderful attempts to touch the goal post of Kazakhstan. Fazilla Sylvester Silin made a beautifully crafted field goal in the 33rd minute and took the score to 5-0 in favour of Malaysia. As the match saw raining of goals by the Malaysian eves, they kept Kazakhstan under constant pressure but all their efforts went in vain. Continuing with their aggressive game, Malaysia’s Norbaini Hashim added another field goal in favour of Malaysia in the 37th minute.

Contributing to the team’s effort, Surizan Noh sneaked past the goal post and pumped in the ball through a field effort in the 53rd minute of the game. Keeping their hopes alive, Kazakhstan was awarded with a penalty corner but Malaysia’s goalkeeper Hafiza Zainordin with her perfect saves and stick skills, did not allow Kazakhstan to open their score card. With only a minute left for the final hoot, Hanis Onn scored a winning goal and emerged as the winner defeating Kazakhstan 8-0.

Speaking on the win against Kazakhstan, Malaysian Captain Siti Ruhani said, “Our team played very well as we got a good start. The team got various opportunities and we were successful in converting them into goals. Today we played according to our strategies as we got three points in the first quarter. It boosted the team’s confidence to score further goals. Our next match is with Russia and we are looking forward to continue this performance.”

Speaking post defeating Kazakhstan in the opening match, Malaysia Coach Md Nasihin Nubli Ibrahim said, “We are satisfied with the win as 8-0 is a good score. I believe it is a good warm up for us before the upcoming Russian challenge. We need to score on every chance that we get and need to work on our defence more.”

HI Press release