Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah (L), presents a trophy to the first place winner from Malaysia during the 8th Asian Youth Netball Championship 2013 finals at the Indoor Stadium of the National Stadium Complex in Berakas yesterday. Picture: BT/Saiful Omar
A Malaysian player (R) being
tackled Sri Lankan player in
the 8th Asian Youth Netball
Championship 2013final at
Indoor Stadium of the National
Stadium Complex in Berakas.
Picture: BT/Saiful Omar
Malaysia made it five titles in a row at the 8th edition of the Asian Youth Netball Championship 2013, hosted by the Brunei Darussalam Netball Association (BNA).
The defending champions defeated Sri Lanka 59-50 in the final at the Indoor Stadium of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas yesterday.
"I am very proud of my girls.
"We played very well according to the plan and I feel very happy," said Malaysian coach Choo Kon Lee in an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday.
"The Sri Lanka players, they are very tall, so we need to pass the ball short and quick.
"Izyan (Izyan Syazana Mohd Wazir) was the best player for us.
"She helped the team to score and she made a number of good tackles to help us in the game. she added.
Early in the first quarter both teams were careful in their passes and movement.
However, Malaysia would find their rhythm in a matter of minutes.
Centre Pow Mei Foong was the key for Malaysia in the first quarter, leading with good passes and moving into space to find a ready teammate and kept his team ahead.
Malaysia continued their fast-paced game and broke into a 7-3 lead halfway through the first quarter.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka were trying to slow down the game, realising that they could not keep up with their counterparts pace, but it did not work in their favour as Malaysia kept their cool to maintain their lead as the first quarter ended at 15-10.
Sri Lanka's Thishala Algoma started the second quarter strongly by scoring points. Long throw attempts were successful for them, and their size advantage allowed them to grab rebounds to try scoring right after, but Malaysia quickly responded to their attacks to keep them in the lead.
Izyan Syazana and Noor Azilah Aziz were constant threats for Sri Lanka, while, Nurshamilia Samsudin did a very fantastic job of tackling and intercepting passes and long throws.
The third quarter started at 29-25, in favour of Malaysia. Izyan Syazana and Noor Azilah continued to cause problems for Sri Lanka. Their efforts to retain the ball to regain possession were a big problem for Sri Lanka. A very fast-paced ending to the third quarter saw Malaysia lead by 44-36.
The last quarter had similar plays as the third and the game was already going to Malaysia. The former maintained their offensive prowess opening a 10 points lead halfway into the quarter.
Earlier in the day Singapore defeated Hong Kong 57-27 to finish third in the tournament.
Hosts Brunei lost 53-34 to Thailand to finish sixth on Saturday, while India defeated Maldives 63-26 to finish seventh. Japan and Nepal finished ninth and tenth respectively.
Present as the guest of honour to award the winners with the prizes was Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah.
