Penang start by hammering Malacca

PENANG started off with a bang when they hammered Malacca 6-2 in Group B of the National Under-16 tournament in Sandakan, Sabah yesterday.
However, their coach Bob Rajendran feels he still has two more tough matches against Negri Sembilan and Perak before they can start planning for the semi-finals.
“We were made to look good by Malacca, who are not as strong as the previous years. I feel that Negri Sembilan, even though they lost to Perak today (yesterday) have an all-round team which could trouble my players,” said Bob.
Perak, last year’s silver medallists, beat Negri Sembilan 4-1.
“Negri were in control of that match until they lost their skipper (Asraf Zulzali ) to a yellow card. He is an influential players, and Perak took advantage of his brief absence to take charge of the match and win it,” said Bob.
In Group A, Selangor beat Kelantan 4-2 with goals from Hafif Elkan (15th), Sufi Ismat (22nd, 26th) and Arif Hakimi (60th).
The Kelantan goals were scored by Azmin Deraman (40th) and Faizol Razab (69th).
RESULTS: Group A: Kelantan 2 Selangor 4, Pahang 4 Perlis 0, Johor 2 Singapore 0.
Group B: Perak 4 Negri Sembilan 1, Malacca 2 Penang 6, Sabah 2 Sarawak 1.
TODAY: Group A: K. Lumpur v Singapore (11am), Johor v Selangor (3pm), Kelantan v Perlis (4.30pm).
Group B:Perak v Sarawak (6.30am), Penang v Sabah (8am), Malacca v N. Sembilan (9.30am)
Tomorrow: Group A: Kelantan v Pahang (6.30am), K. Lumpur v Selangor (8am), Johor v Perlis (9.30am).


STANDINGS

GROUP A
P W D L F A Pts
Pahang 1 1 0 0 4 0 3
Selangor 1 1 0 0 4 2 3
Johor 1 1 0 0 2 0 3
Kelantan 1 0 0 1 2 4 0
Singapore 1 0 0 1 0 2 0
Perlis 1 0 0 1 0 4 0
K Lumpur 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
Penang 1 1 0 0 6 2 3
Perak 1 1 0 0 4 1 3
Sabah 1 1 0 0 2 1 3
Malacca 1 0 0 1 2 6 0
Negri 1 0 0 1 1 4 0
Sarawak 1 0 0 1 1 2 0

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KL the team to beat

DEFENDING champions Kuala Lumpur are the team to beat if any state wants to lift the National Under-16 hockey title at the Sandakan stadium from today.
KL have 14 boys from Bandar Penawar and Bukit Jalil Sports Schools, and will open their campaign against Sin gapore tomorrow.
Coach Lokman Yahaya feels his charges are primed for the tournament, but have to get adjusted to the newly-laid pitch fast.
“We are lucky to have trained at the new pitch a few times since we came here because it is a little bumpy and faster than the KLHA pitch which we trained.
“My players hat some difficulty pushing and stopping the ball during penalty corner training, but are slowly getting used to pitch,” said Lokman.
The boys trained for a week at the KLHA stadium in Kuala Lumpur, and should have no problems making an impact in Group A.
In Group B, silver medallists Perak start as the favourites.
GROUP A: Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Kelantan, Pahang, Perlis, Selangor, Singapore.
GROUP B: Perak, Penang, Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Sabah, Sarawak.
TOMORROW: Group A: Kelantan v Selangor (6.30am), Pahang v Perlis (8am), Johor v Singapore (3pm).
Group B: Perak v Negri Sembilan (9.30am), Malacca v Penang (11am), Sabah v Sarawak (4.30pm).
Sunday: Group A: K. Lumpur v Singapore (11am), Johor v Selangor (3pm), Kelantan v Perlis (4.30pm).
Group B:Perak v Sarawak (6.30am), Penang v Sabah (8am), Malacca v N. Sembilan (9.30am)
Monday: Group A: Kelantan v Pahang (6.30am), K. Lumpur v Selangor (8am), Johor v Perlis (9.30am).