Nasihin's women look forward to Asia Cup...

THE Malaysian women’s hockey team fell by the wayside in Round Two of the World League, but still have the Asia Cup in Ipoh to make a dash into the World Cup.
   India and Japan, who Malaysia lost 3-0 and 4-0 respectively, moved into the Semi-finals of the World League, while third-placed Malaysia were left ruing their missed sitters.
   Coach Nasihin Nubli’s charges, ranked 22nd in the world, actually defied the odds to beat Russia and Kazakhstan by 3-1 margins, and then hammered Fiji 12-0.
    Siti Rahmah Othman was also adjudged as “The best Striker’ of the tournament, and she will be the player to watch in the Asia Cup.
   “We fell at the last hurdle, but the experience of playing in New Delhi will be carried onto the pitch when we play in the Asia Cup, where another door to the World Cup is awaiting,” said an optimistic Nasihin, a former International goalkeeper himself.
    The down fall against Japan was when goalkeeper Farah Ayuni Yahya turned her back towards the ball and started arguing with the umpire claiming that the ball had hit a Japanese players foot.
    “That was the mistake of the match, as the Japanese striker (Ayaka Nishimura) finished into an open goal-mouth as the Malaysian defence stopped, expecting a free hit to be given.
    “However, after that, everybody played well but when defender Noor Hasliza (Ali) picked up an injury, and had to be replaced, things became difficult .
   “Nadia (Abdul Rahman, skipper) had to play defensive, and we lost the connection to attack.
    “But all is not lost, as experience has made my charges tougher, and I am confident of a better result in the Asia Cup,” said Nasihin.