Tournament favourites Pahang got off to a jittery start when they edged Armed Forces in their opening match of the 5th Raja Noora Ashikin Cup 2011 at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil this evening.
Despite parading seven players from the national team, Pahang were at sea for much of the match and only poor finishing from the ATM side prevented them from securing a point in the Group B clash.
The seven national players donning national colours are Nor Izaidah Ibrahim, Fazilla Syvester Silin, Siti Noor Amarina Ruhaini, Siti Shahidah Saad, Norbini Hashim, Nuraini Abd Rashid and Nor Hasliza Md Ali.
In contrast ATM had three current internationals in the likes of Nadia Abdul Rahman, Juliani Mohammad Din and Siti Rahmah.
A penalty corner converted by Siti Shahidah Saad in the 13th minute was enough to secure Pahang all three points.
Meanwhile in Group C, KL Sukma defeated Malacca 1-0.
Fatin Hasni found the target in the 57th minute off a penalty corner to give the city side the lead. Having wasted three penalty corners prior to that through set-pieces, it took a direct attempt to find the elusive goal.
It was a scrappy match as both the teams were represented largely by players who are preparing for the 2012 Sukma that will be held in Pahang.
In an earlier Group A match, Kedah hammered Seri Titiwangsa 6-1 thanks to a hattrick by Anis Akhma Afiza who netted her goals in the 27th, 38th and 40th minutes.
Kedah scored their other goals through Nurul Ain Mansur (22nd minute), Nurul Nabihah (35th minute) and Nor Syafika Hashim (44th minute).
Seri Titiwangsa scored their consolation in the 59th minute through Norrabiatun Norhisham.
Results:
Group A
Kedah 6 Seri Titiwangsa 1
Perak 2 Johor 2
Group B
Pahang 1 Armed Forces 0
Penang 3 SMK Puteri 1
Group C
KL Sukma 1 Malacca 0
Selangor 2 Singapore 2
