Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia started their opening Women's Hockey World League Semifinal Round match in Group B with a praiseworthy performance despite losing 0-3 to world number four, Australia.In the match played at the Fallon Stadium in Brussels, Belgium, Australia took early an lead through Maddy Fitzpatrick's fourth minute penalty corner, which keeper Farah Ayuni Yahya could not stop.The squad coached by Muhammad Dharma Raj Abdullah got a golden opportunity to equalise in the 37th minute but Nuraini Abdul Rashid's flick went over the Australian goalpost.
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Fitzpatrick again hit the back of the net in the 44th minute by converting a penalty corner in the top right corner to increase the margin to 2-0.Malaysia, ranked 22nd in the world and who are featuring in the semifinal round for a first time ever after emerging runners up in Round 2, got their second penalty corner in the fourth quarter, but Nuraini Abdul Rashid's flick was easily punched out by the Aussie keeper.
The Oceania Champions confirmed their 3-0 victory when Georgina Morgan converted another penalty corner in the 59th minute to seal the full three points for the Hockeyroos squad.
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Malaysia will next face world number 10 Spain Friday, world number 14 Belgium on Saturday before completing the group stage against world number five, New Zealand on Tuesday.
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The Malaysian Tigress need at least one win in the group stage to secure their place in the quarterfinals of the tournament, as on only the top four teams will advance to the knockout phase. It will also give them a chance to play in the 2018 World Cup. – Bernama
