KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia fought back from 3-1 down to hold Fiji to a 4-4 draw to qualify for the quarter-finals of the women's Hockey 5s World Cup in Muscat, Oman, today.
Malaysia and Fiji were tied with four points each from one win, one draw and one loss in Group A
But Malaysia finished runners-up in the group as Fiji had conceded more goals than Malaysia.
Malaysia scored 14 and conceded 14 goals while Fiji scored eight and conceded 20 in three matches.
Malaysia will face Group B champions South Africa in the last eight tomorrow while Group A champions Netherlands will meet Group B runners-up and war-torn Ukraine in the other quarter-final match.
On Wednesday, Malaysia thrashed hosts Oman 10-0 but were demolished 10-0 by the Netherlands.
South Africa will start as favourites against Malaysia as they won all their three group matches - Zambia (9-1), Australia (6-3), Zambia (9-0) and Ukraine (6-2).
Fiji scored through Lora Bukalidi (second minute), Melba Nautu (18th), Tiara Dutta (20th) and Lala Ravatu (24th).
Malaysia scored through Dian Nursyakira Najwa Al-Wadqa (15th, 21st), Ella Syahirah Ellias (20th) and Qhairunisya Zanili (23rd).
Forward Nur Zafirah Aziz said that it feels really good to play for the first time in Hockey 5s World Cup.
"I'm so happy that we have qualified for the quarter-finals after a hard fought match against Fiji. It's going to be tough against South Africa."