Speedy Tigresses' top-four Asian Games mission begins against Kazakhstan

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's top-four mission in women's hockey at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will begin when they face minnows Kazakhstan at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium tomorrow.

Coach C.R. Kumar said it was time to aim higher after finishing fifth in the last five editions.

However, it would not be an easy mission as the Speedy Tigresses have been drawn in a tough Group A with 2024 Paris Olympic silver medallists China and South Korea being the favourites to reach the semi-finals.

The other teams in the group are Taiwan and Bangladesh.

World No. 4 China are the highest-ranked team in the group, followed by South Korea (17th), Malaysia (21st), Kazakhstan (40th), Taiwan (42nd), and Bangladesh (85th).

"Malaysia have always finished fifth at the Asian Games because it is within reach. It is time to challenge ourselves and aim for the top four. "Obviously, in our pool, we have China and South Korea, and we must beat either one to reach the semi-finals," said Kumar.

The Speedy Tigresses best showing in the Asian Games was winning a bronze at the 1982 New Delhi edition.