MALAYSIAN women's hockey team continued their super run in the World League Round Two when they beat Russia 3-0 at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in New Delhi yesterday.
The victory, which came at the back of an 8-0 thrashing of Kazakhstan, virtually handed Malaysia the top spot in Group B.
Their final pool opponents are Singapore who they meet on Thursday, and going by form that match should be a double digit win for coach Nasihin Nubli's girls.
Yesterday Singapore were beaten 4-0 by Kazakhstan, and a win on Tuesday will give Malaysia the top spot in Group B and their likely cross-over opponents in the quarter-finals will be either Ghana or Thailand.
At half-time, the game was deadlocked, but a field goal from Hanis Onn in the 37th minute gave Malaysia the boost they were looking for, and three minutes later Juliani Din converted a penalty corner for a comfortable lead.
And with just two minutes left in the match, seasoned campaigner Fazilla Sylvester Silin, 27, made sure with a field goal and Malaysia sailed away with a 3-0 win.
"There were some really tense moments as both teams failed to break the deadlock by the end of the second quarter, but a field goal by young and talented Hanis (18-years-old) gave us some breathing space to march forward in numbers and win the match," said Nasihin.
Russia proved to be strong opponents, but the Malaysian ladies were in their element yesterday.
"There was determination and players kept motivating each other during the match, and I see this as a big progress in the ladies game. We have a rest day after which we meet Singapore, and we will play for three more points to top Group B for an easier opponent in the quarter-finals," said Nasihin.