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NEWS & EVENTS
Brunei U-21 squad thrash Maldives
Saturday, July 6, 2013

Brunei goal shooter
Siti Nuratikah (C)
takes a shot during
their match against
Maldives in the 8th
Asian Youth Netball
Championships
yesterday at the
Indoor Stadium of
the Hassanal Bolkiah
National Sports
Complex in Berakas.
Picture: BT/ Yee Chun
Leong

The national under-21 netball team produced their highest scoring match in the 8th Asian Youth Netball Championships with an 82-18 trouncing of Maldives yesterday at the Indoor Stadium of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas.

Brunei had 104 attempts on goal, shooting just under 80 per cent while holding their opponents to only 25 attempts in the encounter.

The victory means that they will face Thailand, who beat India 61-30, in the fifth-place playoff today.

The biggest setback for the hosts was that goal attack Nur Syuhaidah Fahiryana Hj Sukri picked up a knee injury midway through the final stanza.

Brunei national netball coach Thilaka Jinadasa expected the blowout victory and is already looking forward to their next match.

"It was a good win and it was as expected. We know it is going to be a tough game against Thailand especially now that we have our best shooters and centre out," said Jinadasa after the victory.

"We have to go with who we have available. This is something the girls have never experienced before to play so many games in a few days. it has been a big challenge for them," added the Sri Lankan.

The hosts are struggling with injuries, the attacking duo Siti Nuratikah Abd Jalil (blisters) and Marhayati Ahmad (injured) not in full strength.

Centre Siti Nurul Nazihah Hj Hasan also picked up an injury in the loss against Malaysia on Wednesday.

Jinadasa is still proud of her girls for being able to go this far in the competition.

"This is good exposure for the girls considering that there are no competitions for them here. We need to go outside to face more challenges. There is a long way to go for them and this is a good start," said the former national coach of Sri Lanka.

"This has been a good eye opener for them considering their lack of experience. We are looking forward to get more support for opportunities to play outside," she added.

The game tips off at 11.15am.

Maldives and India will contest in the seventh-place playoff at 9.30am.

Courtesy from Brunei Times