KUALA LUMPUR: National women's coach Nasihin Nubli took a bold step when he named 12 newbies for the Asia Cup in Oman on Jan 21-28.
The top four teams in the Asia Cup will qualify for the World Cup, jointly hosted by Spain and the Netherlands, on July 1-17.
Malaysia are in Group A with India, Japan and Singapore while in Group B are China, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia.
Nasihin also selected six senior players, who will lead the newcomers in the tournament.
"Being realistic, I have a team of newbies, who are 23 and below, and a few senior players," said Nasihin today.
"They will play against the best in Asia with nothing to lose but everything to gain from this prestigious tournament."
Nasihin said he had finalised the squad after a brief training-cum-playing session with Petaling Jaya Municipal Council boys at Bukit Jalil.
"Players were selected based on their skill and adaptability as we did not have much time on our side," Nasihin added.
Eighteen players will be registered to play with two reserves travelling to Oman.
Malaysia will open against India on Jan 21.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Rozailah Jilon , Siti Zalia Nasir;
Defenders: Juliani Din, Raja Norsharina Shabuddin, Nurul Faezah Shafiqah, Iren Hussin, Dayang Nuramirah, Nurul Fatin, Nuraini Rashid, Fatin Shafiqa Mahd;
Midfielders: Nur Syuhada Suhaimi, Nor Asfarina Isahyifiqa, Nur Insyirah Effarizal, Nuramirah Shakirah.
Forwards: Nurmaizatul Hanim Syafi, Siti Zulaika Husain, Siti Nur Arfah, Nur Atira Ismail, Nur Afiqah Syahzani, Hanis Nadian Onn.