KUALA LUMPUR: The national women's indoor hockey team edged New Zealand 5-4 today, securing a spot in the bronze medal playoff in the Tuanku Zara Cup at Indera Mulia Stadium in Ipoh.
Malaysia, with six points from two wins and three defeats, finished fourth in the six-team standings.
They will face Australia in the bronze-match playoff tomorrow, while table-toppers South Africa will take on Switzerland in the final.
Malaysia scored through Iren Hussin (21st and 31st minutes), Nor Asfarina Isahyifiqa Isahhidun (fourth), Nur Hafizah Maznan (16th) and Fazilla Sylvester Silin (36th), while Jessica Kelly (13th and 30th), Hannah Cardno (seventh) and Tegan Buchanan (10th) replied for New Zealand.
In the Sultan Nazrin Shah Cup, the Malaysian men's team were thrashed 7-1 by South Africa.
With this defeat, Malaysia finished fifth with two wins and three defeats. Table-toppers Namibia will face South Africa in the final, while Australia will take on New Zealand for third place."
Results
Men: New Zealand 35 Hong Kong 1, Australia 1 Namibia 12, Malaysia 1 S. Africa 7.
Women: South Africa 2 Switzerland 6, New Zealand 4 Malaysia 5, Namibia 2 Australia 2.