KL struggle to enter final

By K. Kandiah

DEFENDING champion Kuala Lumpur was almost out of the race as they struggled to beat Selangor 3-2 in a sudden- death extra time first semifinals of the MHF-NSC-Milo-MSSM Boys’ National Under-14 hockey tournament at the Universiti Sains Malaysia Hockey Stadium in Minden yesterday.
Muhd Shahfirul Aqmal saved the day for Kuala Lumpur when he scored right at the stoppage time of the regular match to equalize 2-2 and again was on target six minutes into the sudden-death extra time for KL to march into the final.
Selangor drew first blood in the match when Ahmad Sarif Suhsdianto slammed into goal from the top of the `D’ in the 25th minute for them to lead 1-0 at the break but in the 47th minute Kuala Lumpur’s Danial Asyraf Ghani cancelled the deficit.
The Red Giants went into the lead again when Mohd Hafif Elkan converted a penalty corner only to see their opponents equalize through Muhd Shahfirul right at the hoot of regular time and six minutes into the sudden-death extra time Muhd Shahfirul fired the winning goal.
KL coach Saiful Munir Mansor said they have to be very cautious and be focused when facing Perak, though we beat them last year, it is not the same this year.
In the second semifinals, Perak defeated Terengganu 4-1 and earned the rights to play Kuala Lumpur in the final today. The 2009 runner-up opened accounts in the seventh minute when Mohd Alif Faizal converted a penalty corner and in the 22nd minute Mhd Husaini Husin beat goalkeeper Mohd Afif Amzar to increase the lead.
Ten minutes later M. Zainul Rusyaidi reduced the deficit for Terengganu. After the breather, Mohd Alif was on target again when he converted another penalty corner and Mohd Zulhamizan Abas rounded up the score to 4-1 when he also converted a penalty corner.
Perak coach Abdul Shukor Adam, who was pleased with his charges performance, said they respected Kuala Lumpur as they are the defending champions while Perak was still the underdog.
“However, we intend to take home the title which slipped us last year.
“Its been a long time since we won the title, and this year my boys are really serious in taking home the title.
“Though we respect Kuala Lumpur and we carry the underdog label, nothing is going to stop us from winning the title,” he told Timesport at the USM stadium yesterday.
Meanwhile, the irresponsible and unpleasant fans and parents of players marred the game, since the tournament began on Aug 20, their irresponsible name callings and unwarranted remarks angered many other fans and officials.
The fans, especially the parents should be more responsible or else their off-springs will be either like them or worst when they grow up, as normally the children will more or less follow their parents foot-steps. “Leadership through Example” this is what the parents should grill into their children and not the other way around.
RESULTS – Kuala Lumpur 3 Selangor 2; Perak 4 Terengganu 1
Today – 3rd-4th: Selangor v Terengganu (3.30pm)
Final: Kuala Lumpur v Perak (5.30pm)