Malaysia v Ghana in FIH pictures

Women's World League: Malaysia in semi-finals

THE Malaysian women's team claimed a semis spot in the World League Round Two when they edged Ghana 2-0 at the Major Dhyan Chand  Stadium in New Delhi yesterday.

  Coach Nasihin Nubli's charges found the fast running Ghana players too hot to handle, even though Norazlin Sumantri scored a third minute penalty corner goal.

  The second goal only came in the 25th minute off a Hanis Onn field attempt, after which Ghana packed their defence and kept the score-line low.

  Malaysia will now play either Poland of Russia in the semis. (match later today).

  "We went in expecting a tough match after Ghana showed their resilience in the last Group A match against Poland (Poland won 4-0). And even though the scoreline is not impressive, I believe my charges will not disappoint in the semi-finals after a day's rest," said Nasihin.

  Only two teams in New Delhi qualify automatically to World League Semi-finals which is the last chance to qualify for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

  The third team will be the highest rankled side which finishes bronze medallist in the various WL Round Two.

  For the record, the Malaysian women have never qualified for the WL Semi-finals: "This is our best chance to play in the WL Semi-finals, and we are not about to give away a ticket to the semi-finals without putting up a fierce fight," said Nasihin.

  The good news for Nasihin is that his charges have scored 18 goals in four matches and have yet to let in a single goal.