WOMEN’S hockey coach Nasihin Nubli knows the score when they open accounts against Australia on July 24 in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
For it was 8-0 when the two teams last met at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
“We know it is going to be uphill all the way in our opening match against Australia, no denying that, but my girls are not overly worried as I have told them to be ready for all-weather, and there is no need to be demoralised.
“My team will just go in and enjoy the game, the there will be no pressure, during or after the match, as we need to focus on the other win-able fixtures,” said Nasihin.
Their other matches are against Scotland (July 25), England (July 27) and Wales (July 30).
In Group B are Canada, India, New Zealand, Trinidad and Tobago, and South Africa.
The women’s best outing was sixth at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur and 2006 Melbourne Games, while in New Delhi four years ago, they finished last in the 10-team competition.
“Australia have brought their best and our focus will be to try and minimise the damage, and I have been working on our defense.
“I will be placing my best players in midfield for a fast counter, and hopefully we surprise them a few times for a morale booster ahead of playing the hosts,” said Nasihin.
They ladies will play a match against Trinidad and Tobago as a warm-up in chilly Scotland ahead for their fiery match against raging favourites Australia.
