FITNESS issues could derail Malaysia's chances at the women's Asia Cup later this month.
After five days of quarantine at the National Sports Council (NSC) hostel, coach Nasihin Nubli and his charges held their first training session at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
Nasihin will have only 11 training sessions before his team depart for Muscat, Oman, for the World Cup qualifier on Jan 21-28.
"This team have been together for the last two years but have had very little field training and no international exposure because of Covid-19.
"We will have 11 training sessions before we depart for Muscat, and that could be a problem in getting everyone match-fit, but I will take it as a challenge," said Nasihin.
Malaysia are in Group A with India, Japan and Singapore while China, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia make up Group B.
The semi-finallists will qualify for the World Cup, jointly hosted by Spain and the Netherlands, on July 1-17.
Nasihin will only have six seniors to bank on in Muscat.
The six seniors are Nuraini Rashid, Juliani Din, Raja Norsharina, Fatin Shafika, Nur Syuhada Suhaimi and Hanis Nadiah Onn.
"I will be allowed to select 18 players plus two reserves, and I hope the six seniors in the 30-member squad will do well during the 11 training sessions here.
"The others are from the Under-21 team, and most are uncapped.
"I do not expect this tournament to be easy, but then again, I believe we are ready for the challenge," he added.