PETALING JAYA: Malaysia are eager to put up a strong challenge in the Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers despite a tough draw.
The Malayan Tigress squad, headed by coach Soleen Al-Zoubi, have been drawn into Group H alongside North Korea, Palestine and hosts Tajikistan for the competition from June 23-July 5 in Tajikistan.
Only the top team from each group will qualify for the tournament, from March 1 -21 in Australia next year.
Out of the 12 spots on offer, four teams have qualified – hosts Australia, China, South Korea and Japan.
The favourites to finish first in Group H are North Korea, who have won the tournament three times in 2001, 2003 and 2008.
Al-Zoubi, who is from, Jordan knows what is ahead for Malaysia.
“Playing North Korea will be a tough mission. They have players who have won the Under-17 and 20 World Cups. They have also won the Asian Cup three times, so they are reputable,” she said.
“Also, we do not have much information on the senior team, so that makes the task even more challenging.
“We have played Palestine before, they are good but we are prepared. Tajikistan are a developing side. We should be able to compete and hopefully, try to qualify for the Asian Cup.’’
Al-Zoubi admits there were other challenges.
“The challenge is the travelling and also coping with the time difference. Also, the national women’s league has not started but I was told it would begin end of April,” she said.
“The qualifiers will also be a good stage to prepare for the SEA Games end of this year.”
Malaysia last qualified for the Asian Cup in 2001.
