Sunday, September 22, 2013

Malaysia o China 3

Malaysia's Raja Norsharina Raja Shabuddin (left) tries to get to the ball before Mengrong Wu of China in the Women’s Asia Cup. Malaysia lost the match 3-0.

THE STAR..

KUALA LUMPUR: Wang Menyu starred for defending champions China in their 3-0 win over Malaysia in the opening Group A match of the Women’s Asia Cup at the National Hockey Stadium Saturday night.
Menyu was on target from the penalty corner in the 15th minute.
She added the second, also from a penalty corner, in the 50th minute. Liang Meiyu completed the scoring with a field goal in the 68th minute.
The Malaysians’ strategy was to absorb the Chinese attack and then launch fast counter-attacks.
Malaysian coach Mohamed Nasihin Nubli said their plan worked, especially in the first half.
“The scoreline was 1-0 at half time and that was good for us. We had a few good counter attacks after the break but our finishing was poor. China capitalised on our open play and scored twice late in the second half.
“It was a good opening match for the team. We must now focus on the game against Hong Kong tomorrow.
“We need to win big and set us up for the final group match against India,” added Nasihin.
Earlier in Group B, South Korea outclassed Kazakhstan 12-1.
Kim Da-rae was the hero for the Koreans, who have already secured their World Cup place. She contributed four field goals in the 36th, 38th, 39th and 41st minutes. Cheon Seul-ki notched a hat-trick with goals in the 25th, 49th and 53rd minutes.
Kim Jong-eun (19th), Han Hye-young (35th), Cheon Eun-bi (45th) and Park Mi-hyun (52nd and 55th) were the other scorers.
Imangaliyena Gulnara netted the Kazakhs’ sole goal from a penalty corner in the 63rd minute.