KUALA LUMPUR: It will be an all-Klang Valley final for the first time when Kuala Lumpur and Selangor fight for the boys’ title in the MHC-Milo Under-16 hockey championship in Kangar on Sunday.
Five-time champions Kuala Lumpur checked in with a 2-1 win over defending champions Perak while Selangor ousted Penang 2-0 to book their first final date since the tournament began in 2004.
Selangor have only qualified for the semi-finals once – ending up fourth in 2010. Thus, they are excited at the propect of winning their title ever boys’ Under-16.
Coach Wan Samsuri Wan Hassan said on Saturday that they are determined to lift the title.
“The players are fired up and want to win the title for the first time. This team is good as the players have come through the 1Mas programme,” said the Selangor coach.
“We had good game against Penang ... my boys played to instructions and carried out their roles well. The final will be tough as KL are a top team, considering they have won the title before.”
Selangor could have lost to Penang in the semi-final if the islanders had converted some of the nine penalty corners they earned in the game.
In the end, goals by Umar Hakimi Ahmad (14th minute) and Mohd Syazwan (39th) were enough for Selangor to see off Penang.
The match between Perak and KL was closer.
The City team took an early lead in the fifth minute through a Mohd Haziq Hisyamuddin’s field goal before Perak equalised in the 28th minute through Mohd Nazrul Asyraff.
KL kept up the pressure and were rewarded with the winner in the 61st minute through a penalty corner goal by Mohamed Fitri.
Meanwhile, Penang retained the girls title after coming back from a goal down to beat Negri Sembilan 3-1 in the final at the Kuala Perlis Turf.
NurHalifa Abdul Khalid put Negri in the lead in the 14th minute with a field goal but Penang equalised four minutes later with a similar goal by Nor Hafea Mazran.
Zuraika Zaini then put Penang ahead in the 32nd minute and was on target again for the third goal in the 58th minute.
Pahang finished third after edging Kelantan 3-2 in a penalty shootout after both teams drew 2-2 in regulation time.
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