Haziq hands Sabah their second win with brace

KUALA LUMPUR: Haziq Haiqal Daus fired a brace to inspire Sabah to a hard-fought 2-1 win over Kuala Lumpur in the boys’ Group C match in the 1MAS National Under-14 Hockey Championships.

Haziq gave the East Malaysian side the lead in the 17th minute via a field goal before hitting his second in the 36th minute off a penalty corner at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

But KL managed to reduce the deficit off a penalty stroke converted by Darsih Hifzhan Azrul in the 44th minute.

It was Sabah’s second straight win. In the opening match on Friday, they edged Negri Sembilan 1-0.

Sabah, who won the boys’ tournament in Melaka in 2015, have two more matches to play against Terengganu today and Kedah tomorrow.

Sabah coach Hasrul Jideh praised Haziq for his two-goal feat.

“Despite suffering a slight hamstring injury in the match against Negri Sembilan, he still did well to score the goals,” said Hasrul.

“My boys played to instruction against KL by taking a 2-0 lead. But I’m a bit concerned as a few of my players suffered minor injuries in the first two matches.

“I hope they will recover in time as we have a tough match to play against Terengganu. A win over Terengganu will seal our place in the second round,” said Hasrul.

Terengganu only have one point as they drew 2-2 with KL on Friday.

Last year’s runners-up Johor were held to a 2-2 draw by Perak in a Group B match.