Kuala Lumpur (19 March, 2017): Johor humbled defending champions Terengganu 2-0 in the 1Mas-MSN-KPM-Milo Boys National Under-16 Hockey Tournament at the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Stadium today.
Muhammad Aidil Mohd Jaafar and Muhammad Izzuddin Eddie Hamzah scored field goals in the 18th and 37th minutes respectively. The win has certainly lifted the morale of Johor players who went down 3-0 against Penang in Group A opening match on Saturday.
Penang leads the table standings with six points from two matches after disposing Kedah 2-0 today with goals from Muhammad Haikal Danial Hanfiah (43rd minute) and Che Abdul Halim Che Mohd Asri six minutes before the hooter.
In Group C, Mohd Hasdar Harun’s 48th minute field goal resurrected Sabah’s chances of qualifying for the second round following a 2-1 win over Pahang at the same venue.
The East Malaysian state, which drew 5-5 against Kelantan in Saturday’s Group C opening match of the event, capitalised on a late surge through team captain Hasdar’s penalty corner strike after Muhammad Salman Sudirman was brought down in the semi-circle.
Hasdar had earlier shot Sabah in the lead with a penalty corner strike in the 24th minute but Pahang equalised five minutes later through Mohamad Hazim Mohd Ahir via a penalty corner.
“It was a tough game against Pahang. We needed to win this match to stay in contention for a spot in the second round,” said Sabah head coach Hasrul Jideh. “We have four points now but it’s not over yet as we still have to get past Kuala Lumpur in our final pool match tomorrow.”
Kelantan defeated Kuala Lumpur 3-2 at the Ministry of Education ground to share four-equal points but the east coast state claimed top position in the table standings with Pahang a shadow behind (3 points) while Kuala Lumpur’s hopes of advancing to the next round diminished following two consecutive defeats.
The top two teams at the conclusion of the boys and girls preliminary rounds will advance to Round 2 where the teams are divided into two groups of three teams each. The top ranked teams qualify for the March 26 final.
The city boys led through team captain Muhammad Zafri Romaizalkifli eighth minute penalty corner conversion but Kelantan scored twice within a space of one minute through Nik Muhammad Asyraf (20th) and Muhammad Syhadan Abdul Rahman (21st) to go 2-1 up for the first time.
Kuala Lumpur, however, drew level 2-2 through Zafri in the 40th minute via a penalty corner before Che Shafiq Zulqarnain Che Rusla knocked home the winning goal for Kelantan in the 48th minute from open play.
In the women’s competition, Sabah scored a crushing 10-0 victory over neighbours Sarawak and Selangor edged Kedah 4-1 to take 1-2 positions in Group A table standings.
Sabah’s big-margin victory came as a surprise but one that has propelled the East Malaysians quick entry into Round 2 of the competition. Sabah opened its campaign here with a 5-0 drubbing of Kedah.
Inka Shafika Juani netted a hat-trick, Flovenia Silverius and Cyra Cynthia Anis scored two goals each and Melanie Juim, Kersimah Kauran and Sufiamira Basri scored a piece.
RESULTS:
Boys Group A: Johor 2 Terengganu 0; Penang 2 Kedah 0
Group B: Selangor 1 Malacca 3; Perak 5 Sarawak 2
Group C: Sabah 2 Pahang 1; Kelantan 3 Kuala Lumpur 2
Girls Group A: Sabah 10 Sarawak 0; Selangor 4 Kedah 1
Group B: Penang 0 Pahang 0; Negeri Sembilan 3 Terengganu 0
Fixtures – Monday (20 March) Boys Group A: Kedah v Terengganu (KLHA, 5pm); Negeri Sembilan v Johor (KPM, 5pm); Group B: Sarawak v Selangor (KLHA, 7pm); Perlis v Malacca (KPM, 7pm); Group C: Kuala Lumpur v Sabah (KLHA, 3pm); Kelantan v Pahang (KPM, 3pm).
Girls Group A: Sarawak v Selangor (KLHA, 7.30am); Kelantan v Kedah (KPM, 7.30am); Group C: Kuala Lumpur v Malacca (KPM, 9.15am); Johor v Perak (KLHA, 9.15am)
