Kirandeep steers KL into final

player Kirandeep Kaur (pic) took it upon herself to take defending champions Kuala Lumpur into the women’s Razak Cup final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

Playing as a midfielder as well as an occasional defender, the 16year-old raced to Armed Forces’ semi-circle in the 60th minute and struck a reverse stick shot to earn KL a 2-1 victory. It was her second goal in the tournament.

Earlier, Nur Zafirah Aziz handed KL the lead in the 22nd minute before Forces equalised through Aisah Zulkifli in the 41st minute.

KL will face Selangor, who defeated Police 3-0 in the other semi-final, in a repeat of last year’s final today.

“I play in midfield but will defend when the team move up to attack, but with time running out and the match heading for a shootout, I decided to do something.

“So, when I raced into the semicircle with the ball and lifted my stick for a reverse stick shot, I knew it was going in,” said the elated teenager, who played in the Jakarta Asian Games last year.

With in-form Kirandeep eyeing more goals, KL will be favourites to retain their title today.

Hosts Selangor were in a mean mood when they hammered Police 3-0 with goals from Insyirah Nur Thalia Ithnin (24th) and Aina Zafifah Razali (39th, 59th).