SHELLO THE HERO

Speedy youngster bags hat-trick to steer Johor into final

SABAH gem Shello Silverius nailed a hat-trick, including two identical reverse stick goals, to take Johor into the Division One Razak Cup final against Malacca today.

In a pulsating semi-final yesterday, Johor overcame Terengganu 3-1 at the National Hockey Stadium (Pitch One) while at the adjacent pitch, Malacca edged Kuala Lumpur 3-2.

Shello is one of five Sabah players who are ‘on loan’ with Johor.

National player Akhimullah Anuar Esook, rested from the ongoing South Korean Tour, drew first blood in the seventh minute for Terengganu but Johor refused to be broken.

Shello, 20, ignited the fightback with a 30th minute penalty-corner goal, and then punished Terengganu with identical reverse stick shots in the 34th and 36th minutes.

That was enough to take Johor into the final.

Speedy Shello, who ended his Junior Hockey League career last year with three titles under his belt playing for Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School-Thunderbolts, will next feature in the Sultan of Johor Cup.

“My trust in young players paid off handsomely as their speed and agility won the day against an experienced Terengganu side. Shello is a gem of a player, and I believe he will make the nation proud one day,” said Johor coach Sarjit Singh.

Shello, who is in his fourth Razak Cup outing, said: “I just did my best and, with support of my teammates, we managed to make the final. We are now looking forward to winning the title.”

In the other semi-final, Kuala Lumpur and Malacca were tied 11 at half-time, but Malacca scored a last-minute goal to claim the final ticket.

KL got their goals through Danial Asraf Ghani (14th, 38th) while Melaka scored through Amirullah Zainol (26th), Hafizi Zainudin (56th) and Firdaus Omar (59th). RESULTS SEMI-FINALS Men’s Division One: Johor 3 Terengganu 1, Kuala Lumpur 2 Malacca 3.

Women: Kuala Lumpur 2 Armed Forces 1, Selangor 3 Police 0.

FIXTURES

Today

Men’s Division One Third-Fourth: Terengganu v Kuala Lumpur (Pitch 1; 7.30pm); Final: Johor v Malacca (Pitch 2;

8pm).

Division Two Third-Fourth: Armed Forces v Negri Sembilan (Pitch 1; 5.30pm); Final: Selangor v Perlis (Pitch 2; 5.30pm).

Women Third-Fourth: Armed Forces v Police (Pitch 1; 3.30pm);

Final: Kuala Lumpur v Selangor (Pitch 2; 3.30pm). * all matches at National Hockey Stadium, Bukit Jalil.

Shello Silverius (centre) celebrates with Johor teammates after scoring his third goal in the Razak Cup Division One semi-final against Terengganu at the National Hockey Stadium yesterday.