KUALA LUMPUR: As expected, the Malaysian women's hockey team were crushed 9-0 by Asia Cup defending champions India at the Sultan Qaboos Stadium in Muscat, Oman, today.
India, with 16 Olympians who helped the nation finish fourth at last year's Tokyo Olympics, were simply a class above Malaysia.
Malaysia coach Nasihin Nubli paraded 16 players with zero international caps, but they displayed some decent hockey early in the match on a cold and windy night.
India's goals were scored by Katariya Vandana (eighth minute), Deep Grace Ekka (10th), Navneet Kaur (15th, 27th), Katariya Vandana (34th), Lalremsiami (38th), Monika (40th) and Sharmila Devi (46th, 59th).
Malaysia will next play Singapore in Group A, and this is one match that Nasihin's players should be able to collect full points.
The Asia Cup doubles up as a World Cup qualifier, with the semifinalists assured of their tickets.
RESULTS:
Group A: Japan 6 Singapore 0; India 9 Malaysia 0;
Group B: South Korea 7 Indonesia 0; China 6 Thailand 1.