KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) sent a young women's team to the Olympic Qualifier in Valencia with minimal expectations.
The idea was to expose this 90 per cent Under-21 team to European teams, hoping they would return with invaluable experience.
MHC's target for the women remains a podium finish at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
The Speedy Tigresses have finished fifth five times in the Asian Games since the 2006 Doha edition.
"We did not expect much from the women's team as they are a young side. We are preparing them for the 2026 Asian Games.
"In Valencia, they will gain valuable experience playing against higher-ranked teams such as Canada and Britain," said MHC president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal.
MHC also plans to gradually retire seniors in the team and hire them as coaches.
"The seniors will be replaced by younger legs, but their experience will not go to waste. We will hire them as coaches as a continuation to their career path," Subahan added.
MHC spent RM500,000 on the team to play in the Olympic Qualifier in Valencia.
Malaysia, who lost 7-0 to Spain and 3-0 to Canada, will face Britain in their final Pool B match on Tuesday.
World No. 7 Britain will be in full force against Malaysia to clinch a semi-final spot after losing 1-0 to Spain, a day after overcoming Canada 2-0.