Sabah make round 2 of National U-14 Hockey Championship
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah boys’ team are through to the second round group stage of the TNB-1MAS National Under-14 Hockey Championship.
The Hasrul Jideh-coached side won their three opening games to join Pahang as the first two teams to secure their place in the next round of competition.
Held at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, former champions Sabah opened with a 1-0 win over Group C rivals Negeri Sembilan with Noor Izzul Rahman scoring the crucial winner in the 31st minute.
The squad then edged Kuala Lumpur 2-1 thanks to goals from Haziq Haiqal Daus in the 17th and 36th minutes.
There was no stopping 2014 champions Sabah as they edged Terengganu 6-3 in their third group fixtures.
Mohamad Syafiq Lamatta and Mohd Daniel Hakim Yusaini gave Sabah a two-goal lead through the penalty corner in the sixth and eighth minutes respectively before Terengganu pulled a goal back from Muhammad Harizh Iman Chairil Anwar’s strike in the 18th minute.
However, Sabah bounced back in style to register three goals through Chyreal Harvie Ahinin (29th), Muhammad Izaz Afdhaal (35th) and Herryzolly Peter (42nd) to take a 5-1 lead.
Terengganu would not go down without a fight and they narrowed the gap after goals from Engku Amirul Idhan Engku Ibrahim (44th) and Mohamad Hadrie Mohd Hasnu (49th).
However, the fightback was short-lived as Syafiq Lamatta scored his second and Sabah’s sixth to all but cement victory for the state squad.
Despite securing their place in the next round, Sabah will not take their last group fixtures lighty, said Hasrul.
The head coach said he would want the players to give their all to finish the first round group stage with a perfect record.
Sabah will conclude their Group C fixtures against Kedah at 10am today before the draw for the second round group stage (Group X and Group Y) is conducted.
For the record, the first round comprise three groups and only the top two teams will advance into the second round.
The second round will start tomorrow with the final scheduled for December 16.
The team manager for Sabah is Azriansyah Ahmad.