Malaysia stand proud..

KUALA LUMPUR: Coach K. Dharmaraj's women held their heads high even though they lost 3-1 to world number eight China in the Asian Champions Trophy in Donghae, South Korea, Monday.
  Malaysia, ranked 22nd, will now play Japan on Wednesday.
  Hanis Nadia Onn scored for Malaysia in the 22nd minute while the China goals came off Zhang Jinrong (third), Li Hong (20th) and Cui Qiuxia (53rd).
  Dharmaraj was pleased with his charges, who gave world beaters China a great fight.
  "Our opponent is among the top teams in Asia (silver medal in the 2017 Asia Cup) and ranked much higher than us. And so, my charges exceeded my expectations and I am very happy to see their progress," said Dharmaraj.
  Malaysia were down 2-0 but still fought back to score, and China's third goal came off a penalty stroke.
  "In the fourth quarter, skipper Siti (Noor Amarina Ruhani) made a rough tackle and China asked for a video referral which resulted in a penalty stroke. We had a good chance to narrow the gap, but missed a penalty corner attempt.
  "We play Japan next after a days rest and I expect it to be another tough encounter."
  Japan held South Korea 1-1 Monday, while Malaysia had lost to the Koreans 3-1 in the curtain raiser.

Malaysian Tigress lose opener

By Jugjet Singh
jugjet@nst.com.my
  
KUALA LUMPUR: Skuad hoki wanita negara tewas 3-1 kepada Korea Selatan pada perlawanan pertama Trofi Juara-Juara Asia di Donghae, Korea Selatan (Ahad).
  Jaringan pertama skuad negara disumbangkan oleh Nurul Nabihah Mansur minit ke-32, namun Korea Selatan berjaya menyamakan kedudukan dua minit kemudian.
 Korea terus mengukuhkan kedudukan dengan menambah dua gol lagi menerusi Kim Hyunji minit ke-43 dan Kim Bomi (m-55).
 Esok, skuad negara akan bertemu China.
 "Kami mendahului 1-0 pada suku ketiga tetapi Korea Selatan menjadikan kedudukan 2-1 selepas menyempurnakan dua pukulan sudut penalti.
 "Pada suku keempat kami berjaya meraih pukulan sudut penalti tetapi terkena tiang gol. Korea berjaya menambah gol ketiga selepas itu.
 "Pemain beraksi dengan baik sepanjang perlawanan. Bagi saya yang penting ialah mereka dapat memberikan saingan," kata ketua jurulatih, Muhammad Dhaarma Raj Abdullah.
 Mengenai perlawanan dengan China, Dhaarma berkata: "China sangat kuat seperti pasukan lain yang membariskan pemain terbaik untuk ke Piala Dunia.
 "China tidak beraksi hari ini, jadi adalah sangat baik sekiranya pemain saya dapat mempamerkan aksi yang sama seperti ketika bertemu Korea," katanya.
 Satu lagi perlawanan menyaksikan India menewaskan Jepun 4-1.