KELANTAN edged closer to the National Under-14 semi-finals when they whitewashed Sabah 8-1 in Group B at the Kuala Lumpur HA Stadium yesterday.
Perak, on the other hand, completed their fixtures by beating Kedah 2-0 and topping Group B without a blemish in six matches.
And with Terengganu having sealed the top spot in Group A, today will see a keen tussle for the second spot, as Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Negri Sembilan have a chance of playing in the semi-finals.
KL play Malacca first, and a win will seal their semis spot, but if they lose, Negri and Johor will get their chance next when they meet Perlis and Terengganu respectively.
RESULTS: Group B -- Kedah 0 Perak 2, Kelantan 8 Sabah 1, Pahang 0 Penang 2.
TODAY: Group A -- Kuala Lumpur v Malacca (3pm), Negri Sembilan v Perlis (5pm), Johor v Terengganu (7pm).
Group B: Selangor v Sabah (3pm), Kedah v Penang (5pm), Kelantan v Pahang (7pm).
GROUP A
STANDINGS
P W D L F A Pts
TERENGGANU 4 4 0 0 25 4 12
K LUMPUR 4 2 1 1 18 4 7
JOHOR 4 2 1 1 8 6 7
N. SEMBILAN 4 2 0 2 7 9 6
MALACCA 4 1 0 3 11 15 3
PERLIS 4 0 0 4 2 33 0
GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
PERAK 6 6 0 0 22 4 18
KELANTAN 5 3 1 1 17 9 10
SELANGOR 5 2 2 1 14 12 8
PENANG 5 2 1 2 14 7 7
PAHANG 5 2 0 3 8 12 6
SABAH 4 1 0 3 2 14 3
KEDAH 5 0 0 5 3 15 0
Friday, November 25, 2011
Dark and stormy before Challenge
MALAYSIA are assured of a quarter-finals slot in the eight-team Champions Challenge II starting today in South Africa, but that is not what they are there for.Coach Tai Beng Hai is more interested in quality matches, to make his team stronger in the run-up to the Olympic Qualifier in Ireland.
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) drew a fixture which will see every team reach the quarter-finals, even if they lose all three group matches.
Malaysia open accounts against Canada today, followed by Japan tomorrow and Argentina on Monday.
“Winning all three matches in the group stages will be meaningless if we fail to win in the quarter-finals and end up playing in the fifth-eight bracket.
“That is why this tournament is unique, and offers teams a chance to prove themselves in one crucial match,” said team manager George Koshy.
But having said that, Koshy is more interested in the qualify field assembled in South Africa.
“We are more interested in playing against quality sides in the run up to the Olympic Qualifier, and with the best 18 selected for this assignment, we will play to achieve our target of being in the top-five bracket,” said Koshy.
Torrential rain has hit South Africa in the last few days, and Malaysia’s friendly against South Africa was rained off after 15 minutes and the score stood at 1-1. Firhan Ashaari, 18-years-old, scored for Malaysia.
“All friendly matches were hit by rain and pitch flooding, but that is not a problem as we came prepared,” said Koshy.
MALAYSIA: S. Kumar (gk), Roslan Jamaluddin (gk), Izzat Rahim, Azammi Adabi, Amin Rahim, Marhan Jalil, Izwan Firdaus, Madzli Ikmar, Faizal Saari, Shahrun Nabil, Sukri Mutalib, Firhan Ashari, Azlan Misron, Razie Rahim (Capt), Hafifi Hafiz Hanafi, Baljit Singh, Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin, Azreen Rizal.
Coach: Tai Beng Hai; Team Manager: George Koshy.
TODAY: Group A: India v Belgium (9pm), South Africa v Poland (11pm).
Group B: Canada v Malaysia (5pm), Argentina v Japan (7pm).
TOMORROW: Group A: Belgium v Poland (9pm), South Africa v India (11pm).
Group B: Argentina v Canada (5pm), Malaysia v Japan (7pm).
MONDAY: Group A: India v Poland (9pm), Belgium v South Africa (11pm).
Group B: Canada v Japan (5pm), Malaysia v Argentina (7pm).
NOTE: Malaysian time.
Pahang and Armed Forces final
PAHANG will meet Armed Forces in the final of the Fifth Raja Noora Ashikin Cup at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil today.
In the semi-finals yesterday, Pahang breezed past Police 4-0, while Armed Forces beat KL Sukma 4-1.
It will be Pahang’s first appearance in the final of the RNA Cup since its inception in 2000, and their best finish was third in 2005.
And in the Group stages, Pahang could only beat Armed Forces 1-0, indicating that even though they have seven national players, it is going to be a close encounter.
Police gave Pahang a tough time in the first 35 minutes: “We knew it was a matter of time before our strikers crash their defence and being patient paid off handsomely,” said Pahang coach C. Sreedharan.
Pahang got their break in the second half with goals from Fazilla Slvester Silin (46th), Nuraini Abdul Rashid (53rd, 69th) and Nor Hasliza Ali (65th).
The Armed Forces goals were scored by Nadia Abdul Rahman (25th, 55th), Siti Rodiah Tumin (34th), Izzuin Ismail (43rd). The KL Sukma goal was scored by Zhulaili Zakaria in the 65th minute.
RESULTS -- Semi-finals: Pahang 4 Police 0, Armed Forces 4 KL Sukma 1.
TODAY: Final -- Pahang v Armed Forces (6.30pm, Live on Astro Arena CH801); Third-Fourth: KL Sukma v Police (4pm).
In the semi-finals yesterday, Pahang breezed past Police 4-0, while Armed Forces beat KL Sukma 4-1.
It will be Pahang’s first appearance in the final of the RNA Cup since its inception in 2000, and their best finish was third in 2005.
And in the Group stages, Pahang could only beat Armed Forces 1-0, indicating that even though they have seven national players, it is going to be a close encounter.
Police gave Pahang a tough time in the first 35 minutes: “We knew it was a matter of time before our strikers crash their defence and being patient paid off handsomely,” said Pahang coach C. Sreedharan.
Pahang got their break in the second half with goals from Fazilla Slvester Silin (46th), Nuraini Abdul Rashid (53rd, 69th) and Nor Hasliza Ali (65th).
The Armed Forces goals were scored by Nadia Abdul Rahman (25th, 55th), Siti Rodiah Tumin (34th), Izzuin Ismail (43rd). The KL Sukma goal was scored by Zhulaili Zakaria in the 65th minute.
RESULTS -- Semi-finals: Pahang 4 Police 0, Armed Forces 4 KL Sukma 1.
TODAY: Final -- Pahang v Armed Forces (6.30pm, Live on Astro Arena CH801); Third-Fourth: KL Sukma v Police (4pm).
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Perak and Terengganu in semis
PERAK and Terengganu cruised into the semi-finals of the National Under-14 tournament with one match in hand each at the Kuala Lumpur HA Stadium yesterday.
Perak, in Group B, brushed aside Pahang 4-0 while Group A favourites Terengganu subdued a fighting Kuala Lumpur 3-1 yesterday.
Perak have 15 points after five matches, and no challengers to topple them from the top. While Terengganu have 12 points and top the Group A table.
Both the teams have one match in hand, with Perak playing Kedah, and Terengganu playing Johor to complete their Group fixtures.
Terengganu held off brilliantly an early onslaught from KL, before their slkipper Luqman Nul Haqim scored in the 31st and 49th minutes, while the third was scored by Khairul Helmy.
The late KL fightback only resulted in Shahfirul Aqmal finding the target in the 62nd minute, but it was too late an effort.
As for Perak, their four goals were scored by Fuad Zaquan (first), Johari Sani (63rd, 69th), HAfis Khodori (66th).
"To be frank, I have yet to watch Terengganu play as we were concentrating more on Kuala Lumpur as our main challengers in this tournament," said Perak team manager Zakaria Yaacob.
Terengganu have a secret weapon in pint-sized 13-year-old striker Wan Mohamed Azlan, who barely stands above his hockey stick.
"His strength is to find an opening and make a pass, which normally results in a goal or a penalty corner for us.
"He is an intelligent player, and against KL, he won the penalty corner which gave us the first goal to kill off KL's fight early," said Terengganu team manager Nik Mohamed Azuan.
RESULTS: Group A -- Malacca 7 Perlis 0, Terengganu 3 Kuala Lumpur 1, Negri Sembilan 2 Johor 1; Group B: Kelantan 2 Selangor 2, Pahang 0 Perak 4, Penang 7 Sabah 0.
TODAY: Group B -- Kedah v Perak (3.30pm), Kelantan v Sabah (5.30pm), Pahang v Penang (7.30pm).
GROUP A
STANDINGS
P W D L F A Pts
TERENGGANU 4 4 0 0 25 4 12
K LUMPUR 4 2 1 1 18 4 7
JOHOR 4 2 1 1 8 6 7
N. SEMBILAN 4 2 0 2 7 9 6
MALACCA 4 1 0 3 11 15 3
PERLIS 4 0 0 4 2 33 0
GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
PERAK 5 5 0 0 20 4 15
SELANGOR 5 2 2 1 14 12 8
KELANTAN 4 2 1 1 9 8 7
PAHANG 4 2 0 2 8 10 6
PENANG 4 1 1 2 12 7 4
SABAH 4 1 0 3 2 14 3
KEDAH 4 0 0 4 3 13 0
Perak, in Group B, brushed aside Pahang 4-0 while Group A favourites Terengganu subdued a fighting Kuala Lumpur 3-1 yesterday.
Perak have 15 points after five matches, and no challengers to topple them from the top. While Terengganu have 12 points and top the Group A table.
Both the teams have one match in hand, with Perak playing Kedah, and Terengganu playing Johor to complete their Group fixtures.
Terengganu held off brilliantly an early onslaught from KL, before their slkipper Luqman Nul Haqim scored in the 31st and 49th minutes, while the third was scored by Khairul Helmy.
The late KL fightback only resulted in Shahfirul Aqmal finding the target in the 62nd minute, but it was too late an effort.
As for Perak, their four goals were scored by Fuad Zaquan (first), Johari Sani (63rd, 69th), HAfis Khodori (66th).
"To be frank, I have yet to watch Terengganu play as we were concentrating more on Kuala Lumpur as our main challengers in this tournament," said Perak team manager Zakaria Yaacob.
Terengganu have a secret weapon in pint-sized 13-year-old striker Wan Mohamed Azlan, who barely stands above his hockey stick.
"His strength is to find an opening and make a pass, which normally results in a goal or a penalty corner for us.
"He is an intelligent player, and against KL, he won the penalty corner which gave us the first goal to kill off KL's fight early," said Terengganu team manager Nik Mohamed Azuan.
RESULTS: Group A -- Malacca 7 Perlis 0, Terengganu 3 Kuala Lumpur 1, Negri Sembilan 2 Johor 1; Group B: Kelantan 2 Selangor 2, Pahang 0 Perak 4, Penang 7 Sabah 0.
TODAY: Group B -- Kedah v Perak (3.30pm), Kelantan v Sabah (5.30pm), Pahang v Penang (7.30pm).
GROUP A
STANDINGS
P W D L F A Pts
TERENGGANU 4 4 0 0 25 4 12
K LUMPUR 4 2 1 1 18 4 7
JOHOR 4 2 1 1 8 6 7
N. SEMBILAN 4 2 0 2 7 9 6
MALACCA 4 1 0 3 11 15 3
PERLIS 4 0 0 4 2 33 0
GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
PERAK 5 5 0 0 20 4 15
SELANGOR 5 2 2 1 14 12 8
KELANTAN 4 2 1 1 9 8 7
PAHANG 4 2 0 2 8 10 6
PENANG 4 1 1 2 12 7 4
SABAH 4 1 0 3 2 14 3
KEDAH 4 0 0 4 3 13 0
KL Sukma in semi-finals
KUALA Lumpur Sukma and Armed Forces qualified for the semi-finals of the Fifth Raja Noora Ashikin Cup in contrasting styles at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
Armed Forces whipped the daylights out of SMK Puteri with an 11-0 whitewash, while a 2-2 draw against Singapore was enough for KL Sukma to play in the last four.
Armed Forces made it to the last four as the best placed runner-up in the three-group tournament.
Today, the Army girls will play KL Sukma, while Police will be looking to gun down favourites Pahang in the semi-finals.
KL Sukma took the lead in the 7th minute off Nor Azlin Sumantri, the younger sister of Project 2013 player Nor Izzat Sumantri.
However, Singapore drew level in the 18th minute through Li Min Toh but their joy ewas shortlived as KL Sukma went 2-1 ahead via skipper Fathih Hasni.
Singapore scored their second goal in the 50th minute off Sabrina Bahnu De Gofar, but could not find the winner that would have taken them into the semi-finals.
Police beat Perak 4-1 with goals from Angela Kais (11th), Nor Faznilah Abdullah 23rd), Aida Fazrina (48th, 57th). The Perak goal was scored by Nor Amalina Yang in the 16th minute.
RESULTS -- Group A: Johor 2 Seri Titiwangsa 0, Police 4 Perak 1;
Group B: Terengganu 2 Penang 1, SMK Puteri 0 Armed Forces 11; Group C:
Selangor 10 Setia Cougar 0, Singapore 2 KL Sukma 2.
TODAY -- Semi-finals: Police v Pahang (8am, Pitch I), Armed Forces v KL Sukma (8am, Pitch II).
Armed Forces whipped the daylights out of SMK Puteri with an 11-0 whitewash, while a 2-2 draw against Singapore was enough for KL Sukma to play in the last four.
Armed Forces made it to the last four as the best placed runner-up in the three-group tournament.
Today, the Army girls will play KL Sukma, while Police will be looking to gun down favourites Pahang in the semi-finals.
KL Sukma took the lead in the 7th minute off Nor Azlin Sumantri, the younger sister of Project 2013 player Nor Izzat Sumantri.
However, Singapore drew level in the 18th minute through Li Min Toh but their joy ewas shortlived as KL Sukma went 2-1 ahead via skipper Fathih Hasni.
Singapore scored their second goal in the 50th minute off Sabrina Bahnu De Gofar, but could not find the winner that would have taken them into the semi-finals.
Police beat Perak 4-1 with goals from Angela Kais (11th), Nor Faznilah Abdullah 23rd), Aida Fazrina (48th, 57th). The Perak goal was scored by Nor Amalina Yang in the 16th minute.
RESULTS -- Group A: Johor 2 Seri Titiwangsa 0, Police 4 Perak 1;
Group B: Terengganu 2 Penang 1, SMK Puteri 0 Armed Forces 11; Group C:
Selangor 10 Setia Cougar 0, Singapore 2 KL Sukma 2.
TODAY -- Semi-finals: Police v Pahang (8am, Pitch I), Armed Forces v KL Sukma (8am, Pitch II).
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