Johor crush Malacca

By T.N.Alagesh

AFTER tasting defeat against Penang on Monday, Johor put up an energetic display to crush Malacca 3-0 in the Division One of the Razak Cup in Kuantan yesterday.
Johor, who emerged champions in 2007 started out in impressive style by taking the lead through a well-worked field goal by Azammi Adabi in the 17th minute, before Hang Edzharsyah Hang Tuah made it 2-0 in the 19th minute.
A well-executed penalty corner by Baljit Singh in the 32nd minute saw Johor increasing the leade to 3-0, and they failed to add to their goal tally after half-time.
Johor coach Gurmit Singh was happy to see his boys putting up an impressive show yesterday especially after their shocking 4-2 defeat against Penang on Monday.
"The boys played according to the game plan and I am glad that we managed to secure three vital points against an unpredictable Malacca side.
"I have reminded my players not to underestimate their opponents as all the teams playing here have an equal chance to impress and also cause upsets," he said.
He said three vital points against Negeri Sembilan today will ensure they stay in the hunt for a third place play-off.
In an earlier match, former national skipper, S.Kuhan sounded the board twice to help Negeri Sembilan beat Penang 3-2.
The former penalty corner specialist, gave Negeri Sembilan the lead in the 23rd minute before converting another penalty corner a minute before the breather. G.Kavin kartik scored the third goal from a penalty corner in the 64th minute.
Penang replied through Jamil Saidin in the 28th and captain, M.Jivan in the 53rd minute through penalty corners.
Despite the defeat, Penang coach Bob Rajendran felt that his players had put a strong show and were unlucky not to walk away as winners.
"The scoreline does not matter. It was important that I get to look at the players performance especially the 15 players who will be featuring at the Sukma in Malacca in June.


RESULTS -- Division One: Penang 2 Negri 3, Johor 3 Malacca 0, Perak Armed Forces.

Division Two: GROUP B Perlis 4 Brunei 0 , Terengganu 6 Selangor 2 .


TODAY: Division One: Perak v Penang (4pm), Kuala Lumpur v Armed Forces (6pm), Johor v Negeri Sembilan (8pm); Division Two: Kelantan v Singapore (3.30pm), Police v Sabah (5.30pm).
All matches at Pitch I and II of the Kuantan Stadium.


DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pt
K LUMPUR 4 3 1 0 11 3 10
PERAK 3 3 0 0 7 1 9
PENANG 3 2 0 1 8 10 6
MALACCA 4 1 1 2 2 4 4
JOHOR 4 1 1 2 6 9 4
NEGRI 3 0 1 2 2 5 1
FORCES 3 0 0 3 4 8 0


DIVISION TWO
GROUP A
P W D L F A Pt
SINGAPORE 3 3 0 0 14 2 9
KELANTAN 2 2 0 0 6 3 6
POLICE 2 1 0 1 3 4 3
SABAH 2 0 0 2 1 10 0
KEDAH 3 0 0 3 1 8 0

GROUP B

P W D L F A Pt
PAHANG 2 2 0 0 14 3 6
SELANGOR 3 2 0 1 12 7 6
TERENGGANU 2 1 0 1 9 7 3
PERLIS 2 1 0 1 5 3 3
BRUNEI 3 0 0 3 0 20 0