Configuring the rankings of the top two in each pool constituted the main focus in the seventh edition of the Asia Cup championship for women here in Bangkok, Thailand on Wednesday. The maze of goals needed a careful calculation of the goal-differences which eventually determined the semifinal line up.

By S. Thyagarajan

The defending champion, Japan will take on China while India meets Korea in Friday’s semifinal.

Malaysia played a splendid match against India almost preventing the latter a place in the last four. A draw was enough for India, but the Malaysians fought gamely thanks to the stunning start in the third minute from a penalty corner scored by Juliana Muhammad Din. India had to struggle till the closing minutes of the first half to see Binita Toppo convert the penalty stroke. India had eight in the match against the one by Malaysia.

Clearly, it was an encounter where Malaysia needs all the encomiums for the performance provided by skipper Nadia Abdul Rehman, Othmann and goal-keeper Farah Yahya.

Results 4 November 2009:

Pool A:
China – Thailand 9:0 (5:0)
Malaysia – India 1:1 (1:1)

Final Ranking:
1. China 4-10 (27-1)
2. India 4-8 (30-2)
3. Malaysia 4-7 (8-5)
4. Singapore 4-4 (1-29)
5. Thailand 4-0 (0-28)

Pool B:
Sri Lanka – Kazakhstan 0:4 (0:3)
Korea – Taipei 15:0 (7:0)
Japan – Hong Kong 6:0 (3:0)

Final Ranking:
1. Korea 5-13 (59-2)
2. Japan 5-13 (45-2)
3. Kazakhstan 5-9 (13-29)
4. Taipei 5-4 (7-28)
5. Hong Kong 5-4 (5-20)
6. Sri Lanka 5-0 (1-49)

Semifinals (Friday 6 November 2009):
China – Japan
Korea – India