20 Nov Saiful sinks Pahang as Perak Triumph

Underdogs Perak sent former champions Pahang wobbling with a 2-1 win in the MHC-1Mas-Milo-KPM National Under-14 Hockey Tournament at the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Stadium today.

Saiful Sharil Bahri shot Perak ahead with an 18th-minute penalty corner conversion but Pahang, the 2014 champions, equalized through Najja Muddin Abdullah Samurai via the field goal in the 29th minute but the celebrations did not last long as Saiful scored his second goal from another penalty corner to give his side this emphatic victory.

The win has also enhanced Perak’s chances of advancing to the second round of the tournament from Group B though they still have two matches in hand – against Penang on Monday and Sarawak on Tuesday. Perak have six points from two wins after disposing Kedah 3-0 on Saturday.

“Pahang is one of the strongest teams in this tournament with many talented players. I believe any team that plays Pahang will be feeling quite uneasy and I am excited and proud of my players who have given their best to win,” said Perak coach Abdul Hadi Adam.

“We will take it one match at a time and our next game against Penang will be important,” he added. “We hope to win all our matches and proceed to the next round.”

Defending champions Sabah continued its march in Group A with a 3-1 victory over Selangor in the last match today. The East Malaysian states had on Saturday defeated Perlis 5-0 and lead the table standings with six points.

It was Selangor who opened scoring through Zarreman Shamier Sulaiman in the 12th minute via a penalty corner but Sabah came back in full force with goals through Abdul Hanief Haiqal (20th), Noor Izzul Rahman (38th) and Muhammad Salman Sudirman in the 45th minute.

In another Group A match, Kuala Lumpur defeated Kelantan 2-0. Muhammat HiIzat Radznill (3rd) and Muhammad Yusri (13th) scored for the city boys.

Johor came back from a 1-1 draw against Terengganu on Saturday to brush aside Malacca 4-0 (halftime 3-0) and top of Group C with four points. Alfarico Lance Liau Junior scored a brace in the 24th and 39 minutes from a field goal and penalty corner conversion after Muhammad Syahril Syafiq and Muhammad Aizad Fadzli had put Johor ahead with goals in the 12th and 16th minutes.

Negeri Sembilan also registered a 4-0 win over Singapore in a Group C match with a brace from Shahmie Irfan while Muhammad Afiq Zainidar and Muhammad Isma Daniel Razak scored one goal each.

In the Girls division, Johor also produced a winning formula against Kelantan with a 4-0 victory. It was Johor’s second straight win in two days of the competition following a 2-0 win over neighbours Singapore on Saturday. Nur Aina Najwa scored a brace while Siti Nur Zulaikha Osman and Nur Anisa Kartika (PC) scored a piece each.

Johor lead Group C with six points followed by Kelantan and Singapore second and third respectively. The Singaporeans defeated Sarawak 2-0 today for their first win in two matches.

In Group B, Penang defeated Selangor 2-0 with a brace from Nur Aisyah Nasir in the 39th and 48th minutes while Pahang edged Negeri Sembilan 1-0, thanks to a Nur Syazwani 40th minute field goal.

RESULTS – BOYS
Group A: Kelantan 0 Kuala Lumpur 2; Sabah 3 Selangor 1
Group B: Penang 1 Sarawak 1; Perak 2 Pahang 1
Group C: Negeri Sembilan 4 Singapore 0; Johor 4 Malacca 0

GIRLS
Group B: Penang 2 Selangor 0; Pahang 1 Negeri Sembilan 0
Group C: Johor 4 Kelantan 0; Singapore 2 Sarawak 0.

Fixtures
Monday (21 Nov) – Boys Group C: Terengganu v Malacca (4.45pm, KPM); Negeri Sembilan v Johor) (4.45pm, KLHC Stadium).
Group A: Perlis v Selangor (6.0pm, KPM); Kelantan v Sabah (6.0pm, KLHC Stadium); Group B: Kedah v Pahang (7.15, KPM); Penang v Perak (7.15pm, KLHC Stadium).

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Girls – Group A: Malacca v Perak (7.30am, KPM); Kuala Lumpur v Kedah (7.30am, KLHC Stadium); Group B: Pahang v Penang (8.45, KPM); Selangor v Negeri Sembilan (8.45am, KLHC Stadium).