Johor lift under-23 title

NOR Hafiq Ghaffar’s hat-trick against Malacca handed Johor the National Under-23 title at the Bukit Serindit Stadium yesterday.
And in the bronze battle, Project 2013 edged Kuala Lumpur 3-2 to stand tall on the podium.
Johor took a 2-0 lead, before Malacca equalised, but with one minute remaining in the match, Junior World Cup player Nor Hafiq delivered his third penalty corner goal to shut out the hosts.
“We only had one days training before travelling to Malac ca, and I am happy that the boys delivered with great understanding in all the matches,” said Johor coach Sarjit Singh.
Malacca coach G. Ravindran rues his skipper’s missed sitter, which could have taken the match into extra-time.
“Nazmi (Kamaruddin) had beaten the Johor goalkeeper and only needed to tap the ball in, but shot wide. It could have turned the tide in the extra-time.
“However, our target was to play in the final, and I am happy that my players delivered against more experienced opponents,” said Ravindran.
Nor Hafiq scored in the 8th, 28th and 69th minutes, while the Malacca goals were delivered by Raihan Azahar (48th) and Amirullah Zainul (50th).
The National Under-23 saw 10 teams competing with seven Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) affiliates staying away.
The seven absentees are Perlis, Kedah, Selangor, Police, Kelantan, Sabah and Sarawak.
RESULTS: Final -- Malacca 2 Johor 3; Third-Fourth: Project 2013 2 Kuala Lumpur 2 (Project win on golden goal).
ROLL-OF-HONOUR: Best Goalkeeper: Hakim Adnan (Kuala Lumpur); Top Scorer: Nor Hafiq Ghaffar (seven goals, Johor); Best Player of Tournament: Nazmi Kamaruddin (Malacca); Man of the match: Nor Hafiq Ghaffar (Johor); Fair- play: Penang.