Pahang, Sabah advance

PAHANG booked their place in the knockout stage of the TNB-1MAS Under-14 Championship after Fazril Lokman’s solitary goal early in the match secured a 1-0 win over Perlis at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

The goal came via a penalty corner as early as the 9th minute and ensured Mohd Sufian Mohamad’s team emerged winners of Group A with nine points with a game in hand.

“I am thankful because we have achieved our target and we can reserve our energy when we take on Penang (today).

“I will most likely field my reserve players for this match because I want my first team to be fresh and ready for the knockout stage,” said Sufian.

Their strong, early showing has put them on the right path in defending the title that they won last year.

Sufian’s charges however almost finished the game with only a point instead of three after Perlis forward Farid Kodir wasted a golden opportunity to draw level in the 42nd minute after a fumble by Pahang goalkeeper Hakimi Mohd Nor.

The mistake happened as Pahang were without their defensive stalwart Taufiq Hidayat Abdullah who was temporarily out after picking up an injury earlier in the match.

“We were shaky for the 20 minutes or so that Taufiq was out, but our defence managed to hold once he returned after receiving treatment for his injury,” said a relieved Sufian.

Following Pahang as the first two teams to the knockout stage were Sabah, who won Group C after recording their third straight win by defeating Terengganu 6-3.

RESULTS — Group A: Kelantan 3 Melaka 0, Perlis 0 Pahang 1; Group C: Terengganu 3 Sabah 6, Kedah 1 K Lumpur 5. Naqib Nor Said