Malaysia ensures smooth way forward with a 2-0 win over fighting Ghana in the first quarterfinal of the ongoing Hockey World League Round 2 here in New Delhi. Malaysia, winner of the R1, has thus ensured its semifinal berth.

Malaysian girls were in no hurry to score today, and were ritualistic in approach after taking 2-0 lead early

Malaysia struck off a penalty corner through Norazlin Sumantri in the third minute and an avalanche of further goals were expected, but the next and the last came five minutes before the half time.

Hanis Onn accounted for the field goal.

Malaysia, which scored 8 goals in its first outing against Kazhakstan in the all important ladder towards Rio Olympics, had to slow down its scoring prowess as the tournament progressed.

It just struck just three goals against Russia and five against neighbours Singapore.

Two-nil verdict today was the least margin in its four encounters here.

However, coach Nasihin Nubli Ibrahim is satisfied with today’s result

“We are winning, that’s all it matters. More importantly, we haven’t conceded a single goal so far and it is important as we take another step towards Rio Olympics”, he said

On reducing margin, he attributed to the increasing competition

“Other teams are improving and fighting hard”, he reasoned.