National women’s hockey coach Nasihin Nubli
National women’s hockey coach Nasihin Nubli

KUALA LUMPUR: Coach Nasihin Nubli can't wait to let loose the national women's team at the Asian Champions Trophy in Donghae, South Korea, following their restriction to online training in the past two years.

The tournament has been postponed many times due to Covid-19, with its latest date: Dec 5-12.

Nasihin intends to use mostly youth, with a blend of experienced hands, now plying their trade in Europe.

"I think the ACT will finally be held in December after being postponed many times.

"My players have not played any competitive matches for the past two years, and so, I am glad that I will get a chance to let them loose in South Korea," said Nasihin.

The ACT offers international ranking points, and Malaysia will be up against China, India, Japan, South Korea and Thailand. The women's ACT was last held in 2018 with South Korea emerging champions.

"Two of our players are competing in the EHL (European Hockey League), and they are part of my plans for the ACT.

"The rest will be development players, as MHC (Malaysian Hockey Confederation) have long-term plans to bring up the standard of their game," said Nasihin.

Nuraini Abdul Aashid, 32, and Fatin Shafika Sukri, 26, are currently turning out for East Grinstead HC in the EHL. The duo played for Butterfly Roma HC in 2018 and 2019.

Nasihin also has plans to let his charges play in the Razak Cup next month. "It will be good for the players to represent their states, and also get a good local warm-up as international matches are hard to arrange right now.

"I am planning for some international friendly matches leading to the ACT, but nothing has been confirmed yet," said Nasihin.