KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia got off to a flying start in the women’s World League Round One competition, whipping Sri Lanka 14-0 in their Group A match at the Sengkang Sports and Recreation Centre in Singapore.
Nuraini Abdul Rashid was the star yesterday, scored four goals in the eighth, 23rd, 28th and 44th minutes.
Raibatul Adawiyah Mohamed netted a hat-trick in the seventh, 15th and 46th.
Hanis Nadiah Onn, who was making her international debut, scored a brace in the 31st and 33rd minutes. Siti Ruhani (10th), Norazlin Sumantri (17th), Noor Hasliza Mohd Ali (21st), Nurul Safiqah Mat Isa (26th) and Norbaini Hashim (62nd) were the other scorers.
National coach Mohd Nasihin Nubli was overjoyed with the impressive win.
“It was an excellent start for us as the forwards made full use of their chances,” said Nasihin.
“The big win augurs well for Malaysia as I want them to go all out to beat hosts Singapore tomorrow (today) to top the group and a place in the semi-finals,” said Nasihin in a telephone interview.
Seven teams are featuring in the competition and Group A has only three teams.
The World League Round One is a qualifying tournament for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.