KUALA Lumpur Sports School (KLSS) and Kelantan yesterday confirmed their spots in the NSC-Milo-MHC JUnior Hockey League Milo Cup quarter-finals starting on Feb 22.
In the Division Two semi-finals yesterday, Kelantan came back from two goals down to beat Politeknik PKT in sudden-death after both both teams were tied 3-3 in regulation time. In the other semis, KLSS beat Anderson Juniors 5-1 with ease.
The Division Two finals, and bronze match, will be played on Sunday but KLSS and Kelantan have already booked their tickets to play with Division One teams Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School, Petaling Jaya City Council, UniKL, Andersons, Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School Juniors and Malacca High School.
The top three teams SSTMI, PJCC, UniKL and Andersons are seeded while the other three will draw lots on Monday to determine their opponents.
Yesterday, the KLSS goals were scored by Nur Faiz Rosli (third, 46th), Jagveen Singh (34th), Adib Zahiruddin (42nd), Zulhazwan Hashim (55th). The Anderson Juniors consolation was scored by Najme Ahmad (60th).
The Politeknik goals were scored by Kamarul Ariffin (11th, 55th), Arif Ibrahim (28th); while Kelantan replied off Shahrul Akhimullah (32nd), Fitri Zaidi (35th) and Fitri Zairi (49th) to take the match into extra-time.
And Saufian Othman nailed the extra-time winner for Kelantan off a penalty corner attempt to take his side into the Milo Cup.
However, Kelantan lost their key player Ashraf Noor to a red card in the 72nd minute and he will be sorely missed in the Division Two finals, as well as the Milo Cup.
"It was a bruising win as not only did we have to come back from two goals down, but also lost our key player Ashraf to a red card. Now, we wil be the underdogs in the Division Two final, as well as the knock-out Milo Cup," said Kelantan coach Hamzi Shaari.
Meanwhile, the national juniors hockey team left for Bangalore, India, yesterday to compete in the Bangalore Super League which has 14 teams.
Coach Dharmaraj's boys will be in India for two weeks, as an early preparation for the Junior World Cup on Dec 5-16.
However, their appearance is only as sparring partners, as their matches will not be counted on the standings.
DIVISION TWO: Semi-finals -- Kelantan 3 Politeknik PKT 3 (Kelantan win on sudden-death goal), Kuala Lumpur Sports School 5 Anderson Juniors 1.
SUNDAY: Division Two Final: Kelantan v KLSS (7pm); Third-Fourth: Anderson Juniors v Politeknik PKT (5pm).
Both matches at National Stadium Bukit Jalil.