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PIC: Akhimullah -- 20-goal hero.
NOTE: In the Bangkok 5s YO Qualifier final, Malaysia 4 India 4. India win shoot-out gold 2-1.
KUALA KUMPUR: The Malaysian men's under-18 team romped into the Youth Olympics final when they beat Zambia 7-4 in Buenos Aires Sunday morning.
They will play India for gold, after the Asian masters beat Argentina 3-1 in the other semifinals.
And yet again, Akhimullah Anuar Esook was Malaysia's super-hero as he scored a hat-trick to take his personal tally to 20 goals.
Akhimullah scored his first 30 seconds after the start, then in the eight minute and to cap a fine day, got his hat-trick 30 seconds from the end of time.
The other goals were scored by Firdaus Rosdi (third, sixth), Muhibuddin Moharam (11th) and Syarman Mat Tee (12th).
Zambia had upset Australia 6-4 in the quarter-finals, and were the revelation of the tournament.
At the group stage, Malaysia had only lost to Argentina 4-2, while India had only lost to Australia 4-3.
Assured of a medal, Malaysia must now play for gold in their maiden Youth Olympics appearance.
KUALA LUMPUR: Akhimullah Anuar Esook took Malaysia into the semi-finals of the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires when he scored a brace in the 2-0 win against Austria Friday.
Malaysia will now play Zambia, who beat Australia 6-4 in the other quarter-finals. It was a big surprise as Australia had topped Group B while Zambia had finished fourth in Group A and barely made the quarter-finals.
Akhimullah scored in the 11th and 19th minutes, and Malaysia now have a good chance of advancing to the finals.
For the record, Malaysia had beaten Zambia 7-2 in Group A.
KUALA KUMPUR: The Malaysian juniors exacted sweet revenge when they beat Japan 1-0 in the Sultan of Johor Cup at the Taman Daya Stadium Friday.
And the winner was scored in the 58th minute by Muhajir Rauf, who connected home a floating reverse stick shot from Abu Kamal.
The juniors did what the senior Malaysian side could not do at the Asian Games, where Japan came back from the dead to level the score at 6-6 with 20 seconds remaining, and then won gold on shoot-out.
However the win came too little too late, as Malaysia ended with four points in the tournament and will play in the fifth-sixth playoff against New Zealand/Australia.
"I hope the boys take home a good lesson from this match as we did almost everything right except score an early goal. Like I said before, we played for pride while Japan for a slot in the final and victory was ours.
"It's never easy to play at the bottom placing matches, but I am sure my players will give their best again to avoid the last spot.
The final will be between India and Britain, and in yesterday's last pool match, Britain edged India 3-2 to claim their spot.
It was India's first defeat in the tournament and coach Jude Felix was furious as his boys were leading 1-0 and then 2-1 before collapsing.
"We let Britain back into the match afer taking a lead twice, and we can't afford this attitude in the final," said Jude.
In the eight editions, India has made the final five times and became champions twice in 2013 and 2014.
RESULTS: India 2 Britain 3, Malaysia 1 Japan 0, Australia 4 New Zealand 0.
SATURDAY -- Final: India v Britain (8.30pm); Third-Fourth: Japan v Australia (6pm); Fifth-Sixth: Malaysia v New Zealand (3.30pm).
KUALA KUMPUR: The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) will field a mixed squad for the Asian Champions Trophy in Oman on Oct 18-28.
The other teams in the fray are India, Pakistan, Oman, Japan and South Korea.
Malaysia, who ended with a bronze in the last edition, will be coached by Roelant Oltmans who feels that even though penalty corner flicker Razie Rahim and midfielder Fitri Shaari are not on the list, there is no reason not to do well.
"Even though Razie is out with a hamstring while Fitri wants to attend his University convocation, it has opened up an opportunity for others. We have a balanced squad and we are heading to Oman to give a good fight to all the other teams," said Oltmans.
Malaysia will open accounts against Asian Games champions Japan, and Oltmans has set semifinals as an early target.
"We will begin with a tough match against Japan, and it will be like the Asian Games final. We will first play to reach the semi-finals, and from there aim higher," said Oltmans.
MALAYSIA -- S. Kumar (gk), Hairi Rahman (gk), Shukri Mutalib, Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan, Faiz Helmi, Najib Hassan, Nabil Fiqri, Marhan Jalil, Azri Hassan, Meor Azuan, Joel Samuel, Norsyafiq Sumantri,
Firhan Ashari, Amirol Aideed, Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin, Faizal Saari,
Nik Aiman, Shahril Saabah.
Malaysia's fixtures: Oct 18: Malaysia v Japan (10.55pm); Oct 20: Malaysia v Oman (1.10am); Oct 22: Malaysia v South Korea (10.55pm); Oct 24: Malaysia v India (1.10am); Oct 25: Malaysia v Pakistan (10.55pm).
KUALA LUMPUR: Several prominent personalities will present papers at the Sports Administrators Seminar organised by the Johor Hockey Association (JHA) on Oct 12-13.
The seminar, held in conjunction with the 8th Sultan of Johor Cup will see the likes of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) secretary general Datuk Windsor Paul as well as Malaysian Football League Chief Executive Officer Kevin Ramalingam sharing their experience on administration and marketing with the participants.
Other speakers who have agreed to grace the seminar are Dato Sieh Kok Chi (Former general secretary of Olympic Council of Malaysia), Dr. Vella Pandian (Head of Podium Programme ISN), K. Maheswari (Former hockey captain and vice president of KLHA), Dr Nadhratul Wardah Salman (Faculty of Law, University Malaya) and NSC Head of Career and Education for Athletes Safwan Radzi.
All the 16 state Hockey bodies were invited to send one participant with the cost of board and lodging borne by JHA. It was also extended to all district hockey associations in Johor as well.
“We are grateful to the speakers for consenting to present papers at the seminar,” said JHA acting president Datuk Manjit Majid Abdullah.
“Sadly though many states did not respond and to me it is a wasted opportunity as the seminar would have provided insights into professional administration,
“However those who are attending will no doubt benefit from it.”
The opening of the seminar will be officiated by the OCM General Secretary Datuk Mohamad Nazifuddin on Friday.
Those who are keen to attend can contact JHA vice president Ir. Azhar (+60 12-707 2774 ).
