MALAYSIAN TIGRESS MISS 2026 HOCKEY WORLD CUP AFTER 0-4 DEFEAT TO JAPAN

KUALA LUMPUR, March 6 (Bernama) -- The national women’s hockey squad’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers were dashed after suffering a 0–4 defeat to Japan in their third Group B match in Santiago, Chile, early today.

The loss also ended Malaysia’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 Women’s Hockey World Cup finals, which will be held in Belgium and the Netherlands from Aug 14 to 30

In the match at Estadio Nacional, Japan broke the deadlock in the third quarter through a field goal by Shiho Kobayakawa in the 39th minute before doubling their lead in the 45th minute.

Japan continued to dominate in the second half, with Hiroka Murayama adding a third goal three minutes later, before Akari Nakagomi sealed the victory with a fourth goal in the 55th minute.

In a video shared by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC), national head coach Mohd Nasihin said his players struggled to cope with pressure in the second half, leading to several costly mistakes.

“The players showed great discipline in the first quarter and defended well. The Japanese goal was difficult to stop, but in the second half, the team came under heavy pressure.

“Our young players still need more international exposure. Some mistakes allowed the opposition to score. For the fifth to eighth place classification matches, we will come back stronger and aim to finish in the top six,” he said.

Following the defeat, the Malaysian Tigress will now compete in the 5th–8th placing match, where they will face the team that finishes fourth in Group A.

Only the top three teams from each qualifying tournament, along with the highest-ranked fourth-placed team from both events, will secure spots at the 2026 World Cup finals. The other qualifying tournament is currently being held in Hyderabad, India.

-- BERNAMA