No time to chill as women’s hockey team struggle with cold conditions

KUALA LUMPUR: Chilly conditions in Kakamigahara, Japan, could affect Malaysian team’s performance in the women’s Asia Cup.

The national team arrived in Japan on Tuesday night and already 16-year-old forward Nur Syafiqah Mohd Zain (pic) is down with fever.

Malaysia played a friendly against India yesterday and lost 2-1.

National coach K. Dharmaraj expects his team to face a strong challenge from the other sides in the tournament.

“The chilly conditions could also pose a problem to the players. Today (yesterday) the weather was about 10°C-11°C but if it rains it can go down to 4°C to 5 °C,” said Dharmaraj in a telephone interview yesterday.

“If this happens, then it will definitely affect our performance as our players are not used to playing in such chilly conditions.

“I hope the weather will improve before the tournament starts on Saturday.

“To make matter worse, forward Syafiqah has been down with fever since yesterday. I hope she’ll recover in time for the opening match.”

Eight teams will feature in the Asia Cup and the winner will qualify for 2018 World Cup in England.

World No. 22 Malaysia will open their Group A campaign against China on Saturday. Malaysia’s other group matches are against Singapore (Sunday) and India (Tuesday).

Group B comprises Japan, South Korea, Kazakhstan and Thailand.

Dharmaraj said that he was happy with the pitch condition.

“We will play another friendly against Japan tomorrow and I hope the players will adapt to chilly conditions fast,” said Dharmaraj.

Malaysia best-ever outing in the Asia Cup is third spot in Seoul, South Korea, in 1985.