Malaysian women feel robbed

WOMEN'S HOCKEY: Malaysia 1 Wales 2....

THE Malaysian women were left seething over the absence of video-referrals when they were edged 2-1 by Wales at the Major Dhyan Chand stadium yesterday.
Wales, ranked 27 to Malaysia’s 22, took the lead in the 24th minute off a penalty stroke which saw Leah Wilkinson’s powerful drive zip through the goalkeeper’s legs.
Malaysia, who have now lost two of their three matches in Group B, equalised through a penalty by captain Nadia Rahman but ended up conceding a goal in the 56th minute to Welsh full-back Claire Lowry.
Nadia insisted her team had been let down by poor umpiring.
“We are very disappointed by the decision of the umpire to award a penalty stroke,” she said.
“At best, it warranted a penalty corner. But this is what happens when you don’t have video referrals.
“It is fair to both teams when you have the referrals. But this is the way it is. We will try to leave the disappointment behind and give our best against England in the next match.”
The video referral system, which has been in place at all major tournaments since 2006, is not being used for the Delhi Games as the organisers reportedly made a late request to the FIH, the game’s world governing body.