INCHEON, Sept 19 — The national women’s hockey squad does not want to be stuck as underdogs when forced to face some of the world’s great teams in Group A, with defending champions China, Thailand and India in it.

Malaysia’s number one goalkeeper, Fara Ayuni Yahya said although no medal target was set for the 17th Asia Games here, it was not an excuse not to try to perform their best in the opening match of Group A against China.

“Although, we are little known compared to the men’s team, we will turn out in high spirits in the first match against China at the Seonhak Hockey Stadium on September 22,” she told Bernama today.

Fara Ayuni said she and her teammates endeavoured to create a name in Incheon although on paper they were set to face stiff competition from China.

“Although, it is almost impossible to get a medal, to us it is not an excuse to concede defeat before going into action,” she said.

“Huzaimah Md Aziz, myself and Fifi Zainuddin as the final defence of the team, are fully prepared to ensure that our goal will be difficult to penetrate,” she told Bernama here, today.

Fara Ayuni hoped their experience in winning the gold medal at the SEA Games in Myanmar last year would be able to help them.

“We are fully prepared by studying the pattern of attack of the Chinese team. They are sharp in penalty corner strikes.

“So, we must be careful to prevent the opponents from scoring in such a situation,” she said.

Fara Ayuni said she was also prepared for the possibility of a penalty shootout.

“We don’t know what will happen at the match, so we must always be focused and be prepared for any eventuality,” she said.

The national women’s hockey squad face Thailand on Sept 24 and India on September 26.

For the record, China have been champions since 2002 while South Korea and Japan are expected to give them a run for their money this time.

Malaysia won the bronze in 1982 at the New Delhi Games and were fourth in 1986 in Seoul but did not take part in the event after that until 2006 in Doha.

At the 2010 edition of the Asia Games in Guangzhou, China, the national women’s hockey squad only made it to fifth spot. — Bernama