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 18^th minute penalty corner conversion but Pahang, the 2014 champions, equalised through Najja Muddin Abdullah Samuri via field goal in the 29^th 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 a 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 12^th minute via a penalty corner but Sabah came back in full force with goals through Abdul Hanief Haiqal (20^th), Noor Izzul Rahman (38^th) and Muhammad Salman Sudirman in the 45^th minute.

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

Johor came back from a 1-1 draw against Terengganu on Saturday to brush aside Malacca 4-0 (half time 3-0) and top of Group C with four points. Alfarico Lance Liau Junior scored a brace in the 24^th 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 12^th and 16^th 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 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 39^th and 48^th minutes while Pahang edged Negeri Sembilan 1-0, thanks to a Nur Syazwani 40^th 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).