Defending champs Sabah trounce Kelantan to stay on top

KUALA LUMPUR: Defending champions Sabah hardly broke a sweat as they stormed into the boys’ second round of the MHC-1MASMilo Under-14 hockey championships.

Sabah were 4-1 winners over Kelantan at the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Stadium yesterday to head Group A with nine points from three matches.

The second place is likely to be taken up by Kuala Lumpur who have six points. KL and Sabah will clash in their last group match tomorrow.

It took Sabah just 10 minutes to clinch all the points. Noor Izzul Rahman opened the scoring in the eighth minute. Four minutes later, Mohamed Salman Sudirman made it 2-0. Mohamed Izaz Afdhaal (15th) and Ahmad Amza Masri (18th) were the other scorers.

Kelantan’s consolation goal was scored by Mohamed Aliff Aizat Azi in the 42nd minute.

Sabah team manager Avtar Singh Bal was pleased they reached the second round with a match to spare.

“We will not let up as we want to improve with each match. I don’t want the players to take it easy and become complacent. There are tougher matches ahead before we can think of retaining the title,” said Avtar.

Malacca kept up their chase for a second-round berth by edging Terengganu 1-0 in Group C. Mohamed Zulhilmi Yazid was the hero, converting a penalty corner in the 41st minute.

The battle to reach the next round is still wide open.

Malacca lead with six points from three matches. Johor, who had earlier whipped Malacca 4-0, dropped to second on five points after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Negri Sembilan. Negri are still in contention as they are third on four points.

In the girls’ category, Kuala Lumpur jeopardised their chances of retaining the title after they could only manage a 1-1 draw with Kedah in Group A.

Kedah stunned KL by taking an eighth-minute lead through a field goal by Nur Safawati Najwa Fadzil. Nur Marlieyana Khalid earned KL, who were beaten 1-0 by Perak in their opening match, a point by netting the equaliser in the 10th minute.

KL’s fate now hinges on their last group match against Malacca tomorrow.

Perak, who beat Malacca 2-1 yesterday, lead with six points and are assured of a place in the second round. The other berth is wide open with Malacca second on three points followed by KL with a point.

In Group B, Penang reached the second round after edging Pahang 2-1 for their second win. Pahang and Selangor will clash today to decide who progress to the next round.