Malaysia finish third in Asian Netball Championship
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia wrapped up their campaign defeating Hong Kong 52- 46 in the playoff for third place at the 2018 Asian Netball Championship at the Singapore Sports Hub on Sunday.
The third place finish saw the national side repeating their position obtained in five previous editions – 1989 ( India), 2001 and 2012 (Sri Lanka), 2009 ( Malaysia) and 2014 in Singapore.
In yesterday’s action, Hong Kong took a slim 17-13 lead in the first quarter with Kate Jolly, Natassia Brakenridge and Rebecca Miller putting their names on the score sheet.
Malaysian head coach Choo Kon Lee decided to make three substitutions by bringing in Goal Shooter An Najwa Azizan, Wing Attacker Pow Mei Foong and Goal Defender Nur Lailatulladhwiyah Che Yahaya which helped to reduce the deficit.
But Hong Kong still led 25- 24 lead in the second quarter and still had a goal advantage at the end of the third quarter.
Malaysia, however, bounced back brilliantly to secure a 5246 win in the final quarter of the match.
Speaking t o r ep or t e r s afterwards, Lee was full of praise for her charges in the biennial tournament.
“They played really very hard today to cover up for the semi-final loss against Singapore yesterday. The best they can do is to get the third placing instead of getting the fourth,” Lee was quoted in a statement issued by Netball Singapore.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka remained undefeated in the tournament en route to clinch their fifth Asian Netball title by edging Singapore 69- 50 in the final. — Bernama