KUALA LUMPUR: Defending champions Pahang thrashed Terengganu 4-0 in their opening Group A match of the TNB-Women’s Razak Cup at KL Hockey Stadium on Saturday.
Pahang were explosive in the match thanks to their six national players in captain Siti Noor Amarina Ruhani, Wan Norfaiezah Saiuti, Nuraini Rashid, Rabiatul Adawiyah Mohamed, Siti Zaidah and Nadia Abdul Rahman along with national junior goalkeeper J. Priyangga.
Pahang coach Ashraf Benadict Arais Abdullah, said: “I gave our youngsters the needed exposure by playing them with the seniors today.
“We missed a lot of chances due to poor finishing. But this is only our first game and I believe we will improve in the next match.
“I just want to give the juniors more playing time here as it will help them gain confidence for next year’s Malaysia Games.
“I am going to retire after the Razak Cup but the performance of the juniors is my main concern,” said Ashraf.
Terengganu coach Harun Al-Rashid, however, was far more excited with the performance of his players.
“We were late in making a comeback but overall I think we did well against Pahang. We managed to reduce the score to just four goals in the first half. We also build some momentum but could not score.”
Drag-flick specialist Nuraini Rashid started the goal rush in the eighth minute from a penalty corner conversion before Nor Sailah
Kerami doubled the score 10 minutes later as Pahang held a 2-0 lead in the first quarter.
Nadia Abdul Rahman (17th) and Wan Nor Faiezah Mohd Saiuti (27th) completed the rout for Pahang.
Terengganu, led by their Malaysia Games squad, provided strong resistance in some periods of the match but were inconsistent.
Pahang will play KL on Sunday.