Kuala Lumpur (24 March, 2017): Three-time champions Perak demolished Negeri Sembilan 4-0 to advance into Sunday’s final of the 1Mas-MSN-KPM-Milo Boys National Under-16 Tournament at the Kuala Lumpur HA Stadium today.

The silver state, champions in 2006, 2007 and 2013, topped Group Y with six points in the second round of the competition. Perak had on Thursday defeated Sabah 4-2 in the three-team Round 2 event.

After several near misses in the first half by both teams, Perak found the rhythm in the third and fourth quarters with goals from Afsraf Iqbal Alias (33rd minute), Mohamad Shamir Mohamad Amran (42nd minute), Mohamad Zulhanif Sahran (51st minute) and Affiful Najmi Mohd Masri (60th minute).

Perak’s opponent in Sunday’s final will be known tomorrow when defending champions Terengganu and Pahang go head to head in the last and crucial Group X match.

Terengganu and Pahang share three-equal points following victories over Malacca in the three-team second round group. The east coast state made a late comeback to edge Malacca 3-2 today while 2015 champions Pahang defeated Malacca 2-1 on Thursday.

Muhammad Hafiz Ismail and Fariezs Aqif Mohd Saidi gave Malacca a comfortable start with field goals in the 15th and 26th minutes but that was as far as head coach Norhamezi Omar’s boys could go as they watched in despair when Pahang mounted a strong challenge in the third quarter and fourth quarters.

Syarman Mat Tee netted a field goal in the 41st minute, Muhammad Ariff Farhan Azli equalised via a penalty corner conversion in the 49th minute and Wan Muhammad Ikran nailed the winning goal two minutes later through open play.

It was also a day of celebration for Sabah Hockey Association officials who witnessed their girls team claw Negeri Sembilan 3-0 to reach the final from Group Y. The Sabahans had earlier defeated Johor 2-1 to stake a strong claim for a ticket into the final.

However, Sabah’s challenger in the final will be known tomorrow from Group X which has turned into a three-horse race between Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Penang.

Defending champions Selangor outclassed Penang 4-2 today and share three-equal points with Kuala Lumpur. The city girls, however, stand a better chance of reaching the final as all they need is a draw against Penang for a showdown against Sabah in the final.

RESULTS – BOYS ROUND 2:
Group X: Malacca 2 Terengganu 3
Group Y: Perak 4 Negeri Sembilan 0
7-9th Placing: Selangor 4 Kelantan 0
10-12th Placing: Kuala Lumpur 4 Perlis 4
13-14th Placing: Sarawak 2 Kedah 0

GIRLS ROUND 2:
Group X: Selangor 4 Penang 2
Group Y: Sabah 3 Negeri Sembilan 0
7-9th Placing: Pahang 1 Malacca 0
10-12th Placing: Perak 3 Terengganu 0

Saturday (25 March)
Boys Group X: Pahang v Terengganu (KPM, 7pm)
Group Y: Negeri Sembilan v Sabah (KLHC, 7pm)
7-9th Placing: Selangor v Johor (KLHC, 3pm)
10-12th placing: Perlis v Penang (KPM, 7.30am)

Girls Group X: Penang v Kuala Lumpur (KPM, 5pm)
Group Y: Negeri Sembilan v Johor (KLHC, 5pm)
7-9th Placing: Pahang v Kelantan (KPM, 3pm)
10-12th placing: Terengganu v Kedah (KPM, 7.30am)