KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia have no plans to play an open game against India in their final Group A match on Tuesday although they need an outright win to make the semi-finals of the Women’s Asia Cup.
China have qualified for the last four with six points, leaving second-placed India and third-placed Malaysia to fight it out for the other spot. Winless Hong Kong are out of contention.
“India have the skills and the ability to beat any defence and playing an open game will be inviting trouble. We must make sure our defence is steady. We will rely on fast counter attacks to get the goals,” said national coach Mohamed Nasihin Nubli.
Nasihin’s biggest worry is the team’s inability to score goals
“Our finishing has been poor thus far. If the forwards can get the goals, then we stand a good chance. The Indians have a far superior goal difference and a draw is all they need to make the last four,” said Nasihin.
The last time the two teams met was at the World Hockey League Round Two in New Delhi in June with India winning 3-0.
Despite holding a psychological advantage, India are not taking any chances.
Said India coach Neil Hawgood: “It will be tough and I am sure Malaysia will go all out to win. We do not have any special plans for Malaysia, just play our normal game. I am confident that we will make the last four.”
In Group B, Japan and Kazakhstan will fight it out to join South Korea in the semi-finals. The Koreans have won both their matches thus far, beating Japan 3-0 and Kazakhstan 12-1. Japan are second on three points followed by Kazakhstan, also with three points but with an inferior goal difference. Taiwan, the other team in the group, are still winless.
Japan coach Yoo Seung-jin, a South Korean, is confident of finishing as runners-up in the group.
“We were not aggressive enough against South Korea. We played better in the second half but it was not good enough. But I believe we can beat Kazakhstan tomorrow to reach the semis,” said Seung-jin.
He added: “We want to make the final so that we can get another crack at Korea. I’m confident of being on the winning side if we meet again.”
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