Friday, March 20, 2009

Kuala Lumpur sneak into semis

In red, Selangor’s Azlan Abdul Aziz (right) and assistant team manager V. Jayakumar confront match officials after the match against Perlis on Wednesday. — Pic: OWEE AH CHUN

DEFENDING champions Kuala Lumpur made it to the semi-finals of the National Under-16 hockey tournament on goal difference when they beat Kelantan 4-2 yesterday.

Kuala Lumpur will meet Group B champions Terengganu in the last four, while Perak will square off against Penang in the other semi-final.
Terengganu, who had already qualified for the last four before playing Negri Sembilan yesterday, still went on to score a comfortable 4-0 win over the hosts to remain the only unbeaten team in the tournament.
Perak also had a sterling match when they brushed aside Perlis 4-0 to top Group A.
Perak, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor all ended with 12 points after five matches, and only goals separated the semi-finalists.
The Terengganu scorers yesterday were Shafiq Nordin (first minute), Firhan Ashari (37th, 51st) and Kharul Anuar.
Meanwhile, Selangor coach Azlan Abdul Aziz and assistant team manager V. Jayakumar have been suspended from the tournament for unruly conduct. Both have been referred to the Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) disciplinary board.
"Selangor coach Azlan and assistant manager Jayakumar were constantly harassing umpires during the Selangor-Perlis match on Wednesday and had to be restrained by technical officials from entering the pitch during the match," said tournament director Jusver Singh.
"And when the match ended, both entered the pitch and confronted the umpires in a threatening manner. So we have suspended them from the tournament and have referred the case to the MHF disciplinary board."
RESULTS -- Group A: Pahang 0 Selangor 5, Kuala Lumpur 4 Kelantan 2, Perak 4 Perlis 0; Group B: Johor 1 Kedah 5, Penang 1 Singapore 1, Negri Sembilan 0 Terengganu 4.

Today -- Semi-finals: Perak v Penang (4.30pm, Pitch 1); Terengganu v Kuala Lumpur (4.30pm, Pitch II).