KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 23 Malaysia will rely on strong defending and counter-attacks when they face defending champions and hosts India in their opening women's Asian Champions Trophy match in Bihar tomorrow.
However, things are much more difficult for the Speedy Tigresses due to the absence of four experienced players.
Hanis Nadiah Onn, Nuramirah Shakirah Zulkifli, Siti Nur Arfah Nor and Siti Zulaikha Husain are recovering from injuries.
National women's hockey coach Nasihin Nubli has named a mixed team of seniors and juniors for the tournament.
The other teams in the fray are Paris Olympics silver medallists and world No. 6 China, Japan (world No. 11), South Korea (No. 15) and Thailand (No. 29).
World No. 9 India will aim to defend their title after failing to qualify for the Paris Olympics in August, which is bad news for Malaysia.
Nasihin admitted it will be tough against India.
"India are solid in every department. They also have an experienced coach, Harendra Singh, to guide them in the tournament.
"We will have to be cautious and rely on counter attacks against them," said Nasihin, whose team were thrashed 5-0 by India in last year's edition.
Malaysia are expected to fight for fifth place in the tournament.
Tomorrow's fixtures: Japan vs S. Korea (3pm), China vs Thailand (5.15pm), India vs Malaysia (7.30pm).
* Malaysia time