Pahang Retain the Malaysia Cup

Defending Malaysia Cup champions, Pahang retained the prestigious trophy after beating JDT 5-3 on penalties. Both sides were tied with two goals apiece after extra-time.

Zainal Abidin Hassan repeated the feat achieved by his close friend, Dollah Salleh who brought the cup back to Pahang for the first time since 1992, this time making sure it stays in Pahang for another season.

The final started off with both teams testing each other but it was Pahang who made the breakthrough.

Striker Dickson Nwaekeme powered past the static JDT defence to head home a free-kick by Azidan Sarudin to give the fans in yellow the start they were hoping for.

However, the star-studded JDT side began to find their footings and just after the half hour mark levelled the score when Pereyra Diaz reacted first to a blocked shot by Fadhli Shas to volley the ball past Khairul Azhan.

Four minutes later JDT turned things around when Luciano Figueroa sent Khairul the wrong way from the spot after the referee awarded a penalty to his team when Pahang skipper, Razman Roslan handled in the box.

JDT dominated proceedings with Figueroa hitting the post early in the second half. They were further boosted when Pahang defender, Saifulnizam Miswan was given the marching order in the 68th minute during an altercation with Amri Yahyah.

Despite being down to ten men, it was Pahang who scored next when their trio of imports combined to breach JDT defence. Mattias Conti headed a high ball to an unmarked Damion Stewart who found Nwaekeme with a quick pass.

The striker could not have wished for a better chance and he finished it clinically to level the score for The Elephants.

JDT continued to create the better chances but in the end neither goalkeeper was really troubled as the match ended in a stalemate after extra-time, forcing the penalty shootout to make a return to the Malaysia Cup final for the first time since 1998.

Razman, Stewart, Shahrizan Salleh and Zesh Rehman all converted their kicks to make it 4-3 with Figueroa, Diaz and Haris Harun having done the same for JDT.

Their next penalty taker was Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, who due to the combination of Figueroa and Diaz lacked playing time together another Malaysia striker, Safee Sali.

His effort was tame with the ball travelling at a comfortable height for Khairul to make a save and the favour swung heavily on Pahang to win the cup through Hafiz Kamal.

The substitute did not disappoint with a well struck penalty and Pahang have their fourth Malaysia Cup title.


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Goals Galore as THT Crushed UniKL

Terengganu Hockeyy Team (THT) began their campaign in the MHL-TNB 2014 Premier League with a convincing 7-0 win University Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) last night.

National striker, Faizal Saari sounded the board five times during the match with strikes in the 12th, 16th, 20th, 32nd and 43rd minutes. Baljit Singh and Firhan Ashaari were THT other goalscorers.

In an earlier match, Sapura staged a fightback against Maybank after going two goal behind to end the match with a point after forcing a 2-2 draw.

Pakistan international, Abdul Haseem Khan gave Maybank the lead in the 21st minute and Mohamad Syafiq made it 2-0 three minutes later.

However, Ameerullah Abdul Aziz reduced the deficit in the 28th minute before another Pakistan international, Khasif Ali converted a penalty corner in the 54th minute to level the score which stayed until the final whistle.


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Malaysia Inaugural King of the Beach

Malaysia emerged as the inaugural champions of the AFF Beach Soccer Championship held at the Teluk Chempedak Beach, Kuantan today after beating Vietnam 6-4 in the final.

Thailand took third place after beating Laos 4-1 in their playoff match.

Malaysia, with players from Terengganu making the core of the squad finished second in Group B behind the Laotians with two wins over Myanmar and the Phillipines to qualify for the semi-finals.

With Felda the main sponsor for the event, they were also represented by a team but did not make it out from their group, finishing bottom after losing all their matches.

Malaysia beat Group A winners, Thailand 3-2 in a pulsating encounter with the winner coming in extra time after both sides tied at 2-2 at the end of normal time.

In the other semi-final, Laos failed to hold on to a two goal lead against Vietnam and succumbed to a 3-2 loss.

The final played before a strong crowd saw Malaysia dominated and raced to a three goal lead through a brace from Mohamad Zaharim and Mohammad Fakhrullah before Bui Tran Tuan Ahn replied for Myanmar.

Zaharim completed his hattrick with his next strike but Tran Vihn Phuong reduced the deficit again before Mohamad Norazman restored Malaysia three goal lead almost immediately.

Malaysia seemed to take their foot off the gas after this and it allowed Vietnam to chase the game and made it 5-4 with Tuan Ahn becoming another player to complete a hattrick.

Mohamad Riduwan then put some cushion with another goal for Malaysia.

However they suffered a major blow when Norazman was given his marching order towards the end of the match but Vietnam could not take advantage and Malaysia were crowned the first champions of AFF Beach Soccer Championship.

Double Success for Terengganu Sports School SMK Bukit Nenas

Terengganu Sports School, SMK Bukit Nenas registered a double victory when their teams emerged as champions in two age group competitions organised by the Ministry of Education.

The senior SMK Bukit Nenas side recorded a 6-1 win over Sarawak Sports School, SMK Tabuan Jaya in the final of the Ministry of Education - FAM Youth League Cup Under 17 League in the afternoon.

Their juniors meanwhile repeated the feat later in the evening when they met Penang Sports School, SMK Mutiara Impian in the final of the Minister of Education Cup Under 14 League, winning the match 1-0.

Both matches were played at the Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium, Kuala Terengganu.

THT Aiming for MHL Glory

The Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) have announced their target for the upcoming Malaysian Hockey League (MHL), that is to win at least one of the titles on the offer.

THT squad is full with internationals with Shahrun Nabil, the Saari brothers: Faizal and Fitri, Firhan Ashaari, Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin joining Malaysia captain Azlan Misron.

They helped Malaysia to finish fourth behind host South Korea at the recent Asian Games in Incheon after losing to the Koreans in the bronze medal playoff.

Two other internationals, Muhamad Hafizuddin Othman and Hazrul Faiz who did not go to Incheon are given the task to keep out opponents from scoring.

Meanwhile the Malaysians will be reinforced by five Korean players: Kang Moon Kyu, Jang Jong Hyun, Kang Moon Kweon, Bae Jeong Seok and Seo Jong Ho. With the exception of Jong Ho, the rest helped South Korea securing the bronze medal at the expense of Malaysia in Incheon.

THT could also rely on the experience of former Malaysian internationals: Ismail Abu, Jivan Mohan, Balit Singh and Engku Abdul Abdul Malek Engku Mohamad to achieve their objectives.

The man in charge of coaching the squad is the experienced Sarjit Singh with Nik Rozemi Nik Mohamad and Shamsol Ismail providing the assistance.

Standing in their way are 2013 double champions KL Hockey Club (KLHC), Tenaga Nasional, Maybank, Sapura and Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL). The MHL will begin in earnest on 29 October.


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Silver Arrow for Archers in Recurve

Malaysia hope of adding another medal to their collection was dashed when the Men's Recurve team lost their bout to China this morning at the Gyeyang Asiad Archery Arena.

The trio of Atiq Bazil Bakri, Haziq Kamaruddin and Khairul Anuar Mohamad could not match the consistency of the Chinese archers, Gu Xuesong, Qi Kaiyao and Yong Zhiwei in scoring higher points which saw them losing 6-0.

Squash Deliver another Gold

Squash as expected delivered another gold to Malaysia medal tally after the Women's team, led by Nicol David beat India 2-0 in the final held at the Yeorumul Squash Courts.

However the Indians gained their revenge when they beat the Malaysian men in the Men's final by the same scoreline.