Malaysia 7-0 Singapore
Othman
Onn
Rabiatul
Sylvetser
Surizan
Onn
Juliani

Rain and plenty of cloud cover greeted the sides on an opening day in the Hockey competition but that did not dampen the spirit among the Malaysian women who put their Singapore counterparts to the sword with an impressive display, running out 7-0 winners.

Malaysia dominated from the outset and were given very little resistance from a young and inexperienced Singapore squad, who at least gave a spirited display.

Kick off had to be delayed by thirty-five minutes as the heavy rain had interrupted proceedings.

Nevertheless, Singapore were roared on by a full house at the Sengkang Stadium, with many unfortunate fans having to be turned away.

Malaysia had the first opening of the game with Fazilla Sylvester bringing the best out of goalkeeper Lam Xin Ni with a fine run after cutting in from the right hand side.

Shahida then sent in a vicious cross-come-shot that had the goalkeeper worried a little, as Malaysia controlled the game and were looking to take advantage of any mistakes Singapore were going to make at the back.

Malaysia’s first penalty corner came after 15 minutes and Singapore were made to pay. Othman delivered and Juliani’s snapshot was expertly struck from the edge of the D,  Othman was there to instinctively turn the ball in at the far post from close range.

Mansur had Malaysia’s next great chance to double their lead after 18 minutes, a shot full on the dive, just going wide.

Singapore were in turmoil and never looked like breaking out of their own half aside from sporadic counter attacks that were hopeful rather than meaningful.

Malaysia’s number 10 looked just as good as Chelsea’s No 10, Eden Hazard, cutting a similar figure with a mazy run from the left, the result demo Shihida Saad, just wide.
Then a superb goal on 24 minutes from Hanis Nadia Onn who went on a solo run from deep before reverse sticking high in the net.

And then the visitors put the game to bed when Saiutu found Rabiatul Adawaiah at the far post for Malaysia’s third a minute later and Singapore heads went down immediately.

With 6 minutes remaining of the first half, Malaysia had the opportunity to make it 4-0 with another penalty corner but Ruhani’s effort couldn’t be directed goalward by Rabiatul.

Malaysia’s fourth came at the stroke of half time with Shahida fizzing a delightful ball into the centre, that was turned in by Sylvester.

Malaysia gave no respite in the second half and dominated once again. The fifth goal came nine minutes in, with Surizan turning well at the far post after the ball eventually found its way to her.

Lam’s fine save from a penalty corner was unrewarded as Hannis Onn was close at hand to fire in Malaysia’s 6th with 22 minutes to play.

The skies darkened at 7pm but Singapore still had 20 minutes to defend for their lives as Malaysia showed no letting up. To be fair to Singapore, their defence tightened and Malaysia took their foot off the pedal.

With eleven minutes remaining, another penalty corner was well worked by Malaysia, Juliani stealing in on the blind side for Malaysia’s 7th.

Starting XI:
Malaysia:
1. Yahya Farah
4. Mansur Nurul
5. MD Ali Noor H
6. Raja Shahbuddin
7. Ruhani Siti Noor
8. Mohamad Din Juliani
9. Hashim Norbaini
10. Saad Siti Shahida
17. Othman Siti Rahmah
19. Sylvester Fazilla
23. Mohamed Rabiatul
Singapore:
1. Lam Xin Ni
3. Tam Wan Ting
6. Ong Tiffany
7. Chan Emily
9. Chua Xinni
11. Ho Puay Ling
12. Lim Joan
13. Sanip Rifqah
14. Toh Limin
15. Jefri Nur Syaheeza
16. Tan Laura