Malaysia aim to top round-robin stage to have an edge over rivals Singapore
By TAN MING WAI
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will seek to make an early statement when they kick-off their quest to reclaim the SEA Games netball gold from arch-rivals Singapore at the Juara Stadium today.
The home side should pick up a routine win against Thailand, having won 75-33 in a preSEA Games match last month.
Singapore take on Brunei in today’s other round-robin match. The Philippines make up the five-team competition.
Only the top four teams qualify for the semi-finals but 2001 champions Malaysia want to top the standings to gain a psychological advantage should they meet Singapore again in the final on Aug 20.
At the Singapore Games two years ago, Malaysia registered four wins and one draw. They scored a whopping 384 goals en route to winning the group stage. But they were beaten 43-46 by the hosts in the final.
Malaysia coach Tracey Robinson wants her charges to keep a level head.
“We are ready for the opener against Thailand. The players are feeling confident after having won by 40-over points in the preSEA Games match,” said the Australian.
“But anything can happen in a tournament, so we are not taking anything for granted. We respect all the opponents and will give everything our all in each match.”
Robinson is hoping to work her magic again after guiding Malaysia to the Asian Championship title in Bangkok in August last year. It was Malaysia’s first success since the inaugural championship in Kuala Lumpur in 1985.
Malaysia will play Brunei tomorrow before facing their first real test against Singapore on Wednesday. The Malaysians’ last group match is against the Philippines on Friday.