Fitri vows stronger comeback after Asiad defeat

NAGOYA: National team stalwart Fitri Saari admitted that Malaysia's 5-1 defeat to India in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games field hockey final on Saturday was a bitter pill to swallow but is optimistic the squad will come back stronger.

Fitri said the squad gave it their all but fell short in a number of areas against India at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium.

"As a player, I feel that I have done my best. We knew that India had the advantage. They are the defending champions and they were well prepared," said Fitri.

"We tried to match them and we were able to for the first two quarters.

"It is painful as we wanted to win the gold and also clinch Olympic qualification. Now we have to go through the Olympic qualifiers where we will have to play tough teams from Europe. We will still try our best.

"On a positive note, we were able to beat Pakistan, who have improved a lot, here as well as South Korea."

Fitri, however, stressed that Malaysia has to improve, especially in terms of defence and finishing.

"We have to be better in terms of decision-making," said Fitri.

"We also have to be better especially when it comes to defending penalty corners.

"When we get chances we have to convert, we have to be more clinical in front of goal."

The national squad's next major assignment will be the Asian Champions Trophy on Oct 27-Nov 5 in India.