Sunday, June 19, 2011
MALACCA EMERGE CHAMPIONS
Malacca emerged champions of the National Under 21 Tournament when they defeated Kuala Lumpur 2-1 in the final played at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Baru.
Although six regulars in total missing from both teams from the final, as a result of playing in the AHF Under 18 Tournament in Singapore, the match lived up to the expectations of a final as both Kuala Lumpur and Malacca played fast attacking hockey.
A late goal by Kuala Lumpur ensured a grandstand finish after Malacca had taken a 2-0 lead but the city side have only themselves to blame as they created enough chances to win the match.
KL were without four regulars, in the likes of Mohd Fitri Saari, Mohd Shahril Saabah, Mohd Taufik Abdul Hamid and Mohd Aslam Mohammad. Only Mohd Amirul Aideed Arshad was released to play for KL in the final.
"We sorely missed the players as they were our midfielders. Still I am proud of the performance of the team who did give Malacca a fight right to the final whistle," said KL coach K. Embaraj.
"We need to finish chances in order to win matches and that was not there today. But we lost to a better side."
"We sorely missed the players as they were our midfielders. Still I am proud of the performance of the team who did give Malacca a fight right to the final whistle," said KL coach K. Embaraj.
"We need to finish chances in order to win matches and that was not there today. But we lost to a better side."
For Malacca they missed two players, Mohd Hazrul Faiz and penalty corner ace Ganeisha Tamil Chelvam.
"It is indeed a great honour for Malacca hockey as we have always done well in age group tournaments in the past. Winning this tourney shows that we have talented players in the state," said Malacca coach Chua Boon Huat who made his debut as a coach.
"Our game plan was simple, absorb the early pressure and get them on the break. And it paid dividends with the two goals."
"It is indeed a great honour for Malacca hockey as we have always done well in age group tournaments in the past. Winning this tourney shows that we have talented players in the state," said Malacca coach Chua Boon Huat who made his debut as a coach.
"Our game plan was simple, absorb the early pressure and get them on the break. And it paid dividends with the two goals."
Malacca were awarded a penalty corner in the eight minute but failed to get a shot on goal.
Kuala Lumpur were made to work hard by the Malacca and it took them 16 minutes before they had a first look at goal, that too through a penalty corner. But they could not get a decent attempt on goal.
Amirullah Zainol almost gave Malacca the lead in the next minute but muffed the chance with only the KL keeper Shahrul Azaddin Auskarzie to beat.
But he was on target in the 19th minute as his shot beat Shahrul and on hand was Ahrujunan Panir Chelvam at the far post to guide the ball into goal and give Malacca a 1-0 lead.
With KL only having three reserves on the bench, coach K. Embaraj did not have much options left to him in making changes.
Malacca had a dream start in the second half as Amirullah burst in from the right to slip the ball past Shahrul in the 37th minute to put his team 2-0 up, and a firm grip on the final.
The goal boosted the confidence of the Malacca players as they kept harassing the KL players for every ball, not giving them room to display their abundance of skills.
Malacca keeper Mohd Ridzuan Azmi kept Malacca in the game pulling off a double save in the 58th minute to deny Mohd Zulhairi Hashim and Mohd Syamim Mohd Yusof.
KL were on the top of things in the final ten minutes, but they sorely missed the presence of the key players and in the process were a beaten side.
Zulhairi finally scored from a penalty corner in the 65th minute to reduce the deficit to 2-1 but it was too late for KL.
With KL only having three reserves on the bench, coach K. Embaraj did not have much options left to him in making changes.
Malacca had a dream start in the second half as Amirullah burst in from the right to slip the ball past Shahrul in the 37th minute to put his team 2-0 up, and a firm grip on the final.
The goal boosted the confidence of the Malacca players as they kept harassing the KL players for every ball, not giving them room to display their abundance of skills.
Malacca keeper Mohd Ridzuan Azmi kept Malacca in the game pulling off a double save in the 58th minute to deny Mohd Zulhairi Hashim and Mohd Syamim Mohd Yusof.
KL were on the top of things in the final ten minutes, but they sorely missed the presence of the key players and in the process were a beaten side.
Zulhairi finally scored from a penalty corner in the 65th minute to reduce the deficit to 2-1 but it was too late for KL.
Results:
3/4th Placing
Johor 2
Pahang 2
(Johor won 3-2 in penalty shootout)
Final
Malacca 2
Kuala Lumpur 1
Roll of Honor:
Champion: Malacca
Runner-Up: Kuala Lumpur
Third: Johor
Fourth: Pahang
Fifth: Perak
Sixth: Selangor
Seventh: Negri Sembilan
Eight: Penang
Man of the Match (Final): Amirullah Zainol (Malacca)
Most Outstanding Player: Mohd Syamim Mohd Yusof (Kuala Lumpur)
Top Scorer: Mohd Nor Hafiq Abdul Ghafar (Johor) – 6 goals
Best Goalkeeper: Mohd Hazrul Faiz (Malacca)
Fairplay: Malacca
JOHOR TAKE THIRD SPOT
Johor took third place in the National Under 21 Tournament when they edged Pahang 3-2 in the nations first penalty shoot-out to determine a winner of a match.
The two teams were tied 2-2 at the end of regulation time and extra time of 15 minutes failed to break the deadlock.
The shootout was a confusing affair as the teams and match officials failed to comprehend the regulations and it was only to be expected given the fact it was the first time such a situation arose.
In the initial shootout, the teams were also tied 2-2 forcing a sudden death where Mohd Nor Hafiq Abdul Ghaffar scored the winner.
Johor took the lead in the 34th minute when Mohd Nor Hafiq converted a penalty corner. But Pahang was on level terms in the 46th minute Zulhanan Mazlan scored.
Zulhanan was on target again in the 54th minute to give Pahang a 2-1 lead but Mohd Nor Hafiq forced the match into extra-time by equalizing for Johor in the 63rd minute, through a penalty corner.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
MALACCA TO PLAY KL IN THE FINAL
Malacca came from a goal down to qualify for the final of the National Under 21 Tournament when they edged Pahang 3-2 in the semi finals at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Baru.
But Malacca will be without two players, keeper Mohd Hazrul Faiz and match winner Ganeisha Tamil Chelvam as the duo left for Singapore after the final to join the National U18 team for the AHF Cup Tournament.
"Making the final is a great achievement as not many gave us a chance but I always had the confidence in these players," said Malacca coach Chua Boon Huat.
"Missing the two players will make it difficult to match Kuala Lumpur in the final but we will give it our best shot."
Pahang went ahead in the 4th minute when Mohd Hafizuddin Mat Isa converted a penalty corner.
But Malacca will be without two players, keeper Mohd Hazrul Faiz and match winner Ganeisha Tamil Chelvam as the duo left for Singapore after the final to join the National U18 team for the AHF Cup Tournament.
"Making the final is a great achievement as not many gave us a chance but I always had the confidence in these players," said Malacca coach Chua Boon Huat.
"Missing the two players will make it difficult to match Kuala Lumpur in the final but we will give it our best shot."
Pahang went ahead in the 4th minute when Mohd Hafizuddin Mat Isa converted a penalty corner.
But their joy was shortlived as two minutes later Malacca equalized. Ganeisha Tamil Chelvam muffed the initial attempt but the ball fell to Amirullah Zainol who had no problems scoring.
Pahang were awarded two penalty corners but failed to score while Malacca were content with counter attacking hockey.
Pahang went ahead in the 39th minute when Aminuddin Abu was the first to the ball after the initial penalty corner attempt by Hafizuddin was saved. He displayed calmness to sidestep the keeper Mohd Hazrul Faiz to score.
However Malacca hit back in the 41st minute when Wan Luqman Haziq Wan Mahadi scored after being put through by Dedi Aryandi to make it 2-2.
Both teams played very cautiously and tried to win penalty corners but to no avail.
Dedi could have become the hero when he went past the Pahang keeper in the 65th minute but sent his reverse stick attempt out.
Malacca were then awarded a penalty corner in the 67th minute but they muffed the attempted set piece. And a minute later Dedi missed another sitter which would have sealed a place in the final for Malacca.
But Ganeisha found the target in the 69th minute of a penalty corner to send Malacca into the final where they will play Kuala Lumpur.
Pahang were awarded two penalty corners but failed to score while Malacca were content with counter attacking hockey.
Pahang went ahead in the 39th minute when Aminuddin Abu was the first to the ball after the initial penalty corner attempt by Hafizuddin was saved. He displayed calmness to sidestep the keeper Mohd Hazrul Faiz to score.
However Malacca hit back in the 41st minute when Wan Luqman Haziq Wan Mahadi scored after being put through by Dedi Aryandi to make it 2-2.
Both teams played very cautiously and tried to win penalty corners but to no avail.
Dedi could have become the hero when he went past the Pahang keeper in the 65th minute but sent his reverse stick attempt out.
Malacca were then awarded a penalty corner in the 67th minute but they muffed the attempted set piece. And a minute later Dedi missed another sitter which would have sealed a place in the final for Malacca.
But Ganeisha found the target in the 69th minute of a penalty corner to send Malacca into the final where they will play Kuala Lumpur.
Results:
Semi Final
Johor 1
Kuala Lumpur 4
Malacca 3
Pahang 2
5/6th Placing
Selangor 2
Perak 8
7/8th Placing
Negri Sembilan 1
Penang 0
Fixtures – Sunday
3/4th Placing
1600H – Johor v Pahang
Final
1800H – Kuala Lumpur v Malacca
KL DEFEAT JOHOR FOR PLACE IN FINAL
Kuala Lumpur qualified for the final of the National Under 21 Tournament when they defeated Johor 4-1 in the semifinals at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Baru.
The city side recovered from a goal down and scored three goals in a space of four minutes in the second half to deny the hosts of a place in Sunday’s final.
However they will be without the services of five players for the final as they left for Singapore to join the national U18 team participating in the AHF Cup.
The five are Mohd Fitri Saari, Mohd Shahril Saabah, Mohd Taufik Abdul Hamid, Mohd Aslam Mohammad and Mohd Amirul Aideed Arshad. However Aideed is expected to be released to play for KL in the final.
“This was our best performance as the forwards took their chances well,” said KL coach K. Embaraj.
“However we will sorely miss the services of the four players and it will be a tough task playing the final with only 14 players. But this is something we knew before the tournament and have accepted the fact that national duty comes first.
“The difference today between us and Johor was our superior fitness and the experience of the key players also was a vital factor in helping us secure a place in the final.”
Johor opened scoring in the 4th minute when no Mohd Nor Hafiq Abdul Ghaffar converted a penalty corner.
However KL were undeterred and went on attack mode to search for the equalizer. And they would have not scored had it not been for Mohd Ramadhan Rosli who missed two sitters in the 17th and 20th minutes with only the keeper to beat.
But KL were back on level terms in the 24th minute when instead of his trademark flicks, Mohd Zulhairi Hashim opted to hit and it sounded the board to make it 1-1.
Johor had several opportunities to score, with their best chance falling to Mohd Fariq Saadon who had a simple task of tapping the ball into an empty goal with all the KL players beaten but instead put the attempt wide. And that was the respite KL needed.
Mohd Shahril Saabah put KL ahead in the 56th minute through a penalty corner strike. And three minutes later Mohd Syamim Mohd Yusof scored KL’s third goal.
Barely a minute later Shahril capitalised on poor defending by Mohd Amirul Syafiq and raced into the semi circle before slotting the ball past a bewildered Johor custodian Mohd Hairi Abdul Rahman.
“We lost to a better team and really the players tried their best. But where the mind was willing, the legs were not just up to it as our fitness let us down,” said Johor coach Chairil Anwar Abdul Aziz.
“There were lapses of concentration in the defence and we made silly mistakes to give the ball away in our own half. And that cost us a place in the final.”
In the match to determine the 5/6th placing, Perak defeated Selangor 8-2.
Results:
Semi Final
Johor 1
Kuala Lumpur 4
5/6th Placing
Selangor 2
Perak 8
Friday, June 17, 2011
KL, MALACCA QUALIFY FOR SEMIS
Kuala Lumpur qualified for the semi finals of the National Under 21 after subduing a fighting Perak 3-2 at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Baru.
While KL needed an outright win, Perak could have qualified had they drawn the match but the city side had striker Mohd Syamim Mohd Yusof to thank as his hattrick sunk the silver state, who at one stage came back from a two goal deficit to draw level.
And Malacca also qualified for the last four thanks to their 2-0 win over Penang.
Penalty corner strikes by Ganeisha Tamil Chelvam in the 18th minute and Mohd Huzairy Mohd Zain in the 60th minute and booked Malacca a semis spot where they will take on Pahang.
KL were 2-0 up by the 20th minute thanks to clinical finishing by Syamim.
His first goal in the 13th minute was as a result of a neat exchange of passes with Mohd Shahril Saabah with Syamim slipping the ball past the onrushing Perak keeper.
But the second was a gem as he deflected a hard hit into the semi circle by Mohd Zulhairi Hashim to put KL 2-O ahead in the 19th minute.
Perak were resilient as they crept back into the game with Mohd Soffian Kamaruddin scoring in the 21st minute.
Izzad Hakimi Jamaluddin had two golden chances to put Perak on level terms but muffed both sitters through his overconfidence as the ball was cleared off the goal-line by the KL defenders.
But Perak were not to be denied the equaliser when Mohd Sabri Mohammad converted a penalty corner in the 38th minute.
KL were unfortunate when the attempt by Shahril Sabah in the 50th minute hit the post.
But Syamim had the final say with his winner in the 62nd minute and KL will now take on hosts Johor for a place in the final.
Results
Group A
Johor 1
Selangor 0
Negri Sembilan 0
Pahang 1
Group B
1900H
Kuala Lumpur 3
Perak 2
Penang 0
Malacca 2
TABLE
Group A
P W D L G A PTS
Johor 3 2 1 0 7 1 7
Pahang 3 1 2 0 4 3 5
Selangor 3 1 1 1 6 6 4
N. Sembilan 3 0 0 3 3 10 0
Group B
P W D L G A PTS
Malacca 3 2 0 1 5 3 6
K. Lumpur 3 2 0 1 5 4 6
Perak 3 1 0 2 7 7 3
Penang 3 1 0 2 3 6 3
Fixtures : Saturday
1700H - 5/6th Placing : Selangor v Perak – Pitch 2
1700H – Semi Final : Johor v Kuala Lumpur – Pitch 1
1900H – 7/8th Placing: Negri Sembilan v Penang – Pitch 2
1900H – Semi Final : Pahang v Malacca – Pitch 1
JOHOR, PAHANG MAKE SEMIS
Johor defeated Selangor 1-0 in the National Under 21 Tournament at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Baru to book a spot in the semifinals as Group A champions.
And a last minute penalty stroke conversion by Pahang gave them a 1-0 win over Negri Sembilan and more importantly a place in the semifinals tomorrow.
Johor needed a draw while Selangor would have needed an outright win if Pahang defeated Negri Sembilan.
And in the end is was a tale of missed chances that cost Selangor a win. Infact their match against Johor finished a minute earlier then the Pahang/NS clash and the Selangor players were silently celebrating the draw on the adjacent pitch.
“We were fortunate as Selangor played a much better game and missed so many chances in the final 15 minutes of the match,” said Johor coach Chairil Anwar Abdul Aziz.
“My players were too nervous after taking the lead and were looking at defending the lead rather then taking the game to the opponents.
“Still making the semis is a welcome relief and we await our opponents. Frankly at this stage it does not matter who your opponents are for we have to raise our game in order to make the final.”
Having absorbed the early Selangor forays, Johor became more confident, relying on short passes to gain ground.
But it was as a result of a long overhead pass out of defence by Mohd Nor Hafiq Abdul Ghaffar that resulted in Johor’s opening goal.
His pass found Mohd Ismat Imadi Mohd in the opponents 25 and he in turn laid up a pass for Mohd Fariq Saadon who hit an unstoppable shot into the roof of the goal, leaving Selangor keeper Azzrul Fahmy Zakaria rooted.
Both teams were too cautious in their approach in the first half and as a result no penalty corners were awarded.
In the second half Selangor forced a penalty corner in the 40th minute Mohd Noor Faeez Ibraham was denied by a spectacular save by Johor custodian Mohd Hairi Abdul Rahman.
Eight minutes later it was the upright that denied Selangor an equalizer as the attempt by Faeez hit the post and bounced out of play.
The Pahang/Negri match was heading to a draw but Pahang were awarded a penalty corner just before the hooter went. And from the resulting penalty corner the attempt by Nor Nashriq Farhan hit Negri defender M. Shashoban on the body, resulting in a penalty stroke.
Mohd Aminuddin Abu, the younger brother of former international Ismail Abu, converted the penalty stroke to send Pahang into the last eight.
“We though we had blown our chances as we missed so many chances to score and frustration crept into the team, “ said Pahang coach Mohd Yazid Yunus.
“But we were fortunate the get that last gasp goal and now look forward to the semis with renewed enthusiasm.
“It is 70 minutes that separates us from a place in the final and we will give it our best shot.”
Results
Group A
Johor 1
Selangor 0
Negri Sembilan 0
Pahang 1
Group B
1900H
Pitch 1 – Kuala Lumpur v Perak
Pitch 2 – Penang v Malacca
TABLE
Group A
P W D L G A PTS
Johor 3 2 1 0 7 1 7
Pahang 3 1 2 0 4 3 5
Selangor 3 1 1 1 6 6 4
N. Sembilan 3 0 0 3 3 10 0
Group B
P W D L G A PTS
Perak 2 1 0 1 5 4 3
Malacca 2 1 0 1 3 3 3
K. Lumpur 2 1 0 1 2 2 3
Penang 2 1 0 1 3 4 3
Fixtures : Saturday
1700H - 5/6th Placing : Selangor v XXXX – Pitch 2
1700H – Semi Final : Johor v XXXX – Pitch 1
1900H – 7/8th Placing: Negri Sembilan v XXXX – Pitch 2
1900H – Semi Final : Pahang v XXXX – Pitch 1
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
RACE FOR SEMIS WIDE OPEN
The semifinalists of the National Under 21 Tournament will only be decided when the dust settles after the completion of the preliminary rounds matches as the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru on Friday.
Seven out of the eight teams participating, with the exception of Negri Sembilan, are in the running for the four available spots in the semis and teams are using the rest day to rest some tired legs and plan their strategies.
In order to ensure that the matches are played in the right spirit, and not give unfair advantage, the Tournament Director, Murugan Nair, upon consulting the team managers made changes to the final preliminary round fixtures.
Hence the two matches in each group will be played simultaneously so that teams will not be able to pick their opponents for the last four stage.
In Group A, table toppers Johor will take on Selangor while Pahang will lock horns with Negri.
Johor, who with Selangor, are on four points require just a draw to make the semis as they have a superior goal difference, thanks to their 5-0 win over Negri.
“Though a draw may suffice, we will not be on a defensive mode as that will give Selangor the initiative to attack and create problems for us,” said Johor coach Chairil Anwar Abdul Aziz.
“They have a good penalty corner battery and it will be foolish to defend. Besides playing for a draw will be risky. We will play our normal game but will not take unnecessary risks.
“Making the semis is our initial target and the players showed a marked improvement in the match against Negri. We hope the momentum carries on.”
Selangor can ill afford a draw as Pahang are expected to defeat Negri and can finish on five points, the same as Selangor if they draw Johor. For Selangor have only a one goal advantage over Pahang.
“While we are confident that we can overcome Negri, my players have been warned not to be complacent,” said Pahang coach Mohd Yazid Yunus.
“We require a win, for that is our aim and the goals will come. Playing Negri has never been easy though they have lost two matches. I expect them to be fighting for every ball and make things difficult for us.”
In Group B though, the situation is rather more complex as all four teams can make the semis.
Perak will take on Kuala Lumpur while Penang play Malacca and as it stands it is Malacca that hold the advantage.
For they have the players and ability to defeat Penang and march into the semi finals.
“On paper we are better then Penang but we cannot take their threat lightly. Penang defeated Kuala Lumpur and can inflict damage on our aspirations as they have players that do not give up easily,” said Malacca coach Chua Boon Huat.
“Just look at their match against Perak as they were 0-4 down but managed to score two goals in the later stages. That shows their tenacity and we will have to be careful.”
Kuala Lumpur have been struggling in the tournament, largely due to the fact that players in their team have to attend training with the National U18 and Project 2013 teams in the mornings.
Still that is no excuse for a team that has players of caliber to fail to score, especially from the 22 penalty corners they have been awarded that resulted in a single goal thus far.
“We have not been playing well and I guess the players are just too eager when on the pitch,” said KL coach K. Embaraj.
“Our penalty corners are poorly executed but in terms of performance there is really nothing wrong as we dominate the matches.
“It is a one off match against Perak that decides our fate, a win will give us a place in the semis. But having said that our opponents have shown that they can punish slack defending. So will will thread with caution.”
Should there be no clear winners in the matches, then expect the coaches to resort to calculators or scurry for the tournament regulations to check if their team makes the cut.
And interesting day is at store at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium with everything to play for.
Fixtures:
Group A
1700H
Pitch 1 – Johor v Selangor
Pitch 2 – Negri Sembilan v Pahang
1900H
Pitch 1 – Kuala Lumpur v Perak
Pitch 2 – Penang v Malacca
TABLE
Group A
P W D L G A PTS
Johor 2 1 1 0 6 1 4
Selangor 2 1 1 0 6 5 4
Pahang 2 0 2 0 3 3 2
N. Sembilan 2 0 0 2 3 9 0
Group B
P W D L G A PTS
Perak 2 1 0 1 5 4 3
Malacca 2 1 0 1 3 3 3
K. Lumpur 2 1 0 1 2 2 3
Penang 2 1 0 1 3 4 3
KL EDGE MALACCA AS JOHOR GO ON RAMPAGE
Kuala Lumpur put the disappointment of the opening match defeat against Penang when they overcame a gritty Malacca 2-1 in a Group B clash in the National Under 21 Tournament at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru.
The win by the city side puts them back in contention for a place in the last four but they will have to overcome Perak in their final match on Friday.
All four teams in the group, Penang, KL, Malacca and Perak have an even chance to make the semis.
Kuala Lumpur went into the lead in the 5th minute when Mohd Zulhairi Hashim scored from a penalty corner.
That gave the city side the confidence they needed as they laid siege on the Malacca goal but failed to find the target.
Against the run of play Malacca were awarded a penalty corner in the 20th minute and KL discard Ganeisha Tamil Chelvam found the back of the net with a powerful drag flick to make it 1-1.
KL were stung and forced a series of penalty corners but Malacca keeper Mohd Hazrulfaiz Ahmad Sobri was in his element as he kept out the attempts by Zulhairi.
At one stage KL were playing with nine players after two of their players were shown the yellow card by the umpires.
Mohd Fitri Saari and Mohd Aslan Mohamed were sent to the sin bin in the 42nd minute but Malacca could not take advantage of the situation.
And KL were awarded a penalty stroke in the 50th minute after the penalty corner attempt by Zulhairi struck Malacca defender Mohd Syakir Amir Kamaruddin on the hand.
Muhammad Taufik Abdul Hamid duly converted the penalty stroke to give KL a 2-1 lead.
Meanwhile Johor went on a rampage to trash Negri Sembilan 5-0 in a Group A match to put them in the drivers seat for a place in the semi finals.
The win gives Johor four points from two matches, the same as Selangor but the hosts top the group on goal difference.
Johor had a dream start, scoring three goals in the opening 15 minutes and that left Negri shell-shocked.
It took Johor only two minutes to open scoring as Mohd Nor Hafiq Abdul Ghaffar scored off a penalty corner.
In the 9th minute it was the turn of his sibling Mohd Nor Akmal Abdul Ghaffar to find the back of the net, also through a penalty corner.
The hosts were on song and Mohd Nor Hafiq scored his second, and Johor’s third in the 14th minute to give them a 3-0 lead.
Muhammad Fariq Saadon made it 4-0 in favour of Johor in the 27th minute, leaving Negri a mountain to climb to salvage the match in the second half.
Khairul Akmar Khuzir scored in the 67th minute to make it 5-0 and give Johor a healthy goal difference going into the final day of preliminary round matches on Friday where they will take on Selangor.
Results:
Group A
Pahang 2
Selangor 2
Johor 5
Negri Sembilan 0
Group B
Perak 4
Penang 2
Kuala Lumpur 2
Malacca 1
TABLE
Group A
P W D L G A PTS
Johor 2 1 1 0 6 1 4
Selangor 2 1 1 0 6 5 4
Pahang 2 0 2 0 3 3 2
N. Sembilan 2 0 0 2 3 9 0
Group B
P W D L G A PTS
Perak 2 1 0 1 5 4 3
Malacca 2 1 0 1 3 3 3
K. Lumpur 2 1 0 1 2 2 3
Penang 2 1 0 1 3 4 3
PAHANG HELD AS PERAK DEFEAT PENANG
Perak defeated Penang 4-2 in the National Under 21 Tournament to keep their hopes alive after their opening match defeat at the hands of Malacca at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Baru.
The win by Perak threw open the race for the semifinals for Group B as Penang had defeated Kuala Lumpur the previous day and all four teams have three points apiece. However the situation could well change as Malacca will play against Kuala Lumpur in a later match.
“We made use of the chances that came our way but lost our concentration in the later stages of the match,” said Perak coach Kulwant Singh.
“ The team is starting to play as a unit. We had a good game against Malacca too but failed to put away our chances. But conceding the two goals is something we can ill afford as it can cost us a match if the score was closer.
“Playing Kuala Lumpur will not be easy as they have a good side but we will play our usual style of attacking hockey as that wins matches and only a win can give us a place in the semis.”
Perak took the lead in the 20th minute, largely due to a defensive blunder by Penang's Mohd Khairul Naim Johari.
Khairul had saved an initial attempt by Muhammad Haziq Samsul on the goal line but sent his clearance straight to Mohd Soffian Kamaruddin, who had no problems putting the ball into the unguarded goal.
Penang could have equalised in the very next minute but national trainee Mohd Rashid Baharom failed to get the better of Perak custodian Mohd Aliff Mohd Azman in a one to one situation.
And Perak made most of the reprieve when Muhammad Sabri Muhammad converted a penalty corner in the 24th minute to give his team a 2-0 lead.
Mohd Harris Fadila Zulkifli made it 3-0 in the 31st minute and Penang were a beaten side, tired after their exploits against Kuala Lumpur the previous day.
Perak did not let off in the second half, as they realized that goal difference could well determine the final positions in the group, and added to their tally in the 45th minute, this time Mohd Heiry Pami finishing off a move from the right to make it 4-0 in favour of Perak.
Rashid managed to reduce the deficit for Penang in the 55th minute when he defected in a penalty corner, but Penang had lost the match in the first half itself.
Penang reduced the deficit through Khairul in the dying seconds and will need to defeat Malacca on Friday to stand a chance of making the last four.
Meanwhile Pahang blew their chances of netting full points in their Group A clash against Selangor when they allowed Selangor to share the spoils despite being in the lead twice.
Pahang took the lead in the 19th minute through Mohammad Aminuddin Abu only for Mohd Noor Faez Ibrahim to convert a penalty corner in the 40th minute to draw Selangor level. It was the Project 2013 player’s fourth goal in two matches, after his hattrick in Selangor’s 4-3 win over Negri Sembilan yesterday.
But Pahang was undeterred and in the 45th minute went 2-1 ahead when Nor Nashriq Farhan Nor Azmi converted a penalty corner.
Selangor scored a minute from time through Mohd Alfifi Arshad whose shot from the edge of the semi circle sailed into goal.
And Selangor could have snatched all three points as they were awarded a penalty corner in the dying seconds but Faez could not find the mark.
Pahang will have to defeat Negri Sembilan in their last match on Friday to have a chance of making the semis.
“We blew our chances of having one foot in the semis through defensive mistakes. And now our fate lies in the outcome of the other matches,” said Pahang coach Mohd Yazid Yunus.
“This is not a position that I would have wanted to be but we have only ourselves to blame.”
Results:
Group A
Pahang 2
Selangor 2
Group B
Perak 4
Penang 2
TABLE
Group A
P W D L G A PTS
Selangor 2 1 1 0 6 5 4
Pahang 2 0 2 0 3 3 2
Johor 1 0 1 0 1 1 0
N. S 1 0 0 1 3 4 0
Group B
P W D L G A PTS
Perak 2 1 0 1 5 4 3
Malacca 1 1 0 0 2 1 3
Penang 2 1 0 1 3 4 3
K. L 1 0 0 1 0 1 0
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