MALACCA came back strongly after the interval to beat Sabah 4-1 in theNational Under-18 soccer championship at the Police Depot groundyesterday. Malacca opened accounts in the 63rd minute off a free-kick by MohamedNajib. After that goal, Malacca looked a more confident side and startedpushing forward. They were rewarded a minute later when Mohamed Fauzzimade a solo run on the left to beat Sabah goalkeeper Salman Sahad. As theball was rolling in Sabah's Jelin Batsok made a diving save only todeflect it into goal. Fauzzi made another opening for Najib to score his second goal in the72nd minute. Sabah reduced the deficit through Doddey Andis in the 75th minute. Shocked by the goal, Malacca once again started attacking and in the87th minute, Alias Khalil received a long ball and made a weak attempt atgoal. Goalkeeper Salman misjudged the angle and could only watch as theball rolled in. At the adjacent pitch, the much-anticipated Selangor and Kuala Lumpurmatch fizzled out when both teams settled for a 0-0 draw. In the earlier match, Perak beat Negri Sembilan 2-0 when Azizul Omarscored in the 9th and 88th minutes while Kedah beat Perlis 3-1. Kedah's goals were scored by Mohamed Fadly (5th, 31st, 44th) whileMohamed Irmady (35th) scored for Perlis.
MALACCA ....... 4 SABAH .......... 1
SELANGOR ...... 0 K LUMPUR ....... 0PERAK ......... 2 N SEMBILAN ..... 0
PERLIS ........ 1 KEDAH .......... 3
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