Hockey: Speedy Tigress lose 0-4 to China, fail to make Asian Champions Trophy semis

KUALA LUMPUR - The national women's hockey team failed to advance to the semi-finals of the 2023 Women's Asian Champions Trophy (ACT), after losing 0-4 to Asian Games champions China tonight.

Zhong Jiaqi emerged the best player of the match at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi, India, after scoring a hat-trick through penalty corners in the 16th and 30th minutes, as well as a field goal in the 51st minute.

Another goal for China - ranked 10th in the world - was scored by Zou Meirong through a penalty corner in the 22nd minute.

The Speedy Tigress who are ranked 18th in the world, will play their final round robin match against last-placed Thailand on Thursday.

Today's results saw Malaysia, who are still without a win after four matches, fail to make it to the top four of six teams vying for a semi-finals spot, and will instead play in the fifth-sixth place decider, also against Thailand on Saturday.

The national team are in fifth place with one point after opening the campaign with a 0-3 loss to Japan on Friday, and then losing 0-5 to hosts India on Saturday and drawing 1-1 against South Korea yesterday. - BERNAMA