IPOH: Twelve skilled women players have been tasked to go one step better in the Indoor Hockey Asian Cup starting on Monday at the Thailand National Sports University in Chonburi.
The team finished third at the last edition in Thailand too in 2022.
Indoor hockey committee chairman Shurizan Mansor said the tournament would also serve as a gateway for the World Cup, as the Asian champions will get an automatic entry.
Malaysia are in Group A with Kazakhstan, Iran, Nepal, and Oman while in Group B are hosts Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
Said Shurizan, who is also the team manager: “If the team manage to create a surprise and emerge as champions, it will be history for indoor hockey as we will get a ticket to the World Cup.
“I hope the players will give their full commitment and display their best performance to achieve the goals that we are aiming for.
“The team aim to get past the group stage and make it to the semi-finals and go into the final,” he said.
Head coach Rodhanizam Mat Radzi said a through selection was done.
“The team spirit is high because this tournament is not an ordinary one as all the teams will be striving to emerge as champions to qualify for the World Cup,” he said.
THE SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Farah Ayuni Yahya, Nur Hazlinda Zainal Abidin.
Defenders: Fazilla Sylvester Silin, Juliani Mohamad Din, Nor Asfarina Isahyifiqa Isahhidun, Putri Nur Batrisyia Nor Nawawi.
Midfielders: Nuraslinda Said, Raja Norsharina Raja Shahbuddin.
Strikers: Nur Atira Mohamad Ismail, Iren Hussin, Siti Nur Arfah Mohd Nor, Ellya Syahirah Ellias.
