GOOD LUCK MALAYSIA NETBALL TEAM

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia are hoping that they will not end up as wooden-spoonists again when the 13th edition of the World Netball Championship begins at the Singapore Indoor Stadium from July 3-10.

In Auckland four years ago, Malaysia finished last in the 16-team tournament.
Malaysia are ranked 22nd in the world, making them the lowest rated side among the 16 teams competing this time.

Malaysia are in Group D with powerhouse England, Malawi and Barbados.
Defending champions Australia are in Group A with Asian champions Sri Lanka, Northern Ireland and Samoa while Group B comprises New Zealand, Trinidad and Tobago, Fiji and Wales.

Stand united: The Malaysian team that will compete in the 13th World Netball Championship in Singapore. –SHAHRUL FAZRY ISMAIL / The Star

Jamaica, Singapore, South Africa and Botswana are drawn in Group C.
“We are lowest ranked team in the tournament but we hope to put up a good fight and finish among top 14 in the world,” said national coach Choo Kon Lee, Malaysia hope to get their campaign off to a winning start when they take on Barbados on Monday.
“While we stand a 50-50 chance against Malawi, it will be very difficult against England as they are the strongest team in our group,” said Kon Lee.
“We have a young team and most of them will be playing in the world meet for the first time.”
The team have been in centralised training for seven months and were in Australia for a one-week playing tour.

Meanwhile, team manager Datin Seri Shamsiah M. Yasin received the Jalur Gemilang from Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek during a press conference at the National Sports Council in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
 
THE SQUAD
Aruna Santhappan (capt), Nur Ezzaini Mohd Nor, Norashikin Kamal Zaman, Izyan Syazana Mohd Wazir, Nurul Adha Abu Bakar, Siti Nor Farhana Mustafa, Noramirah Dayana Noor Azhar, Nur Syafazliyana Mohd Ali, Nurul Shaffa Mustafa, Nur Shamilia Mohd Samsudin, Nur Salfarina Mohd Amin, Noor Atika Mohd Radzi.

Source :THESTAR