KUALA LUMPUR: Coach Nasihin Nubli wants his national women's hockey team to fight and perform well against their higher-ranked opponents at the Olympic qualifier in Valencia.
The Speedy Tigresses will open their Pool B campaign against hosts Spain tomorrow.
World No. 18 are not afraid of No. 8 Spain, and Nasihin believes they are ready to give their superior rivals a good fight.
"It won't be easy for my players to play against the hosts in their first game, but we are here to give our best and upset the form book.
"The ball travels faster on the pitch here. However, my players have adapted to the pitch and weather conditions here after a few training sessions," said Nasihin.
Malaysia's other opponents in the pool are world No. 7 Britain and No. 16 Canada.
"The closest ranked team in our group is Canada, and we hope to earn three points from this game. It will be uphill against Britain, but we will gain in the long run from playing higher-ranked teams," Nasihin added.
Malaysia last played Spain in 2019 at a Three-Nation tournament, losing 4-2 and 5-1.
Pool A consists of Belgium, Ireland, South Korea and Ukraine.
The squad
Goalkeepers: Siti Zaliha Nasir, Nur Hazlinda Zainal;
Defenders: Juliani Din, Anith Humaira Baharudin, Nur Nabila Yusaini, Nurul Fatin Azman, Fatin Shafika Sukri;
Midfielders: Nurmaizatul Hanim Fuad, Nur Insyirah Effarizal, Siti Nur Irdina Nor, Dayang Nuramirah Mahadani, Kirandeep Kaur, Raja Norsharina Shabudin;
Forwards: Nuramirah Shakirah Zulkifli, Siti Nur Arfah Nor, Nur Afiqah Azhar, Nur Shamine Badusha, Azmyra Mia Azhairy.
FIXTURES
Jan 13: Malaysia v Spain (6.45pm); Jan 14: Malaysia v Canada (4.40pm); Jan 16: Malaysia v Britain (9.15pm).
* Malaysian time.
