Johor v Malacca final

By www.ssdhaliwal.blogspot.com
(reporting live from Malacca)

Semi-finals: Malacca 1 Kuala Lumpur 0; Johor 3 Project 2013 0.
Tomorrow: Final -- Malacca v Johor (5pm); Third-Fourth: Kuala Lumpur v Project 2013 (3pm).


JOHOR will take on hosts Malacca in the final of the U23 Tournament this Sunday
Both teams were cautious in the opening 15 minutes and failed to create any clear cut goal scoring chances.
The Project Squad were awarded two penalty corners in quick succession in the 17th and 18th minutes but made no headway.
Johor took the lead a minute before halftime when Hang Edzharsyah Hang Tuah was left unmarked in the semicircle and had the simplest task of sending a reverse hit stick into goal.
Edzharsyah showed good individual skills in the 48th minute and won a penalty corner.
Mohd Sybrie Shamsuddin duly sent in a low drag flick to put Johor 2-0 ahead.
The Project Team then started playing as a team to stretch the Johor defence but failed to find the elusive final touch that could have narrowed the deficit.
Edzharsyah then made sure of Johor"s place in the final when he deflected in a cross in the 62nd minute.
In the other semi final, Malacca upstaged favourites Kuala Lumpur 1-0 through a 4th minute goal scored by skipper Nazmi Kamaruddin.
Though the city lads created numerous chances and were awarded seven penalty corners, they failed to capitalise on it and were also victims of dubious decisions by the umpires.
Though KL were more superior in every department, they were let down by poor finishing.