Hockey: Malacca book first ticket to semi-finals after routing Selangor

Malacca became the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of the national Under-21 hockey tournament yesterday. And they did in style, hammering Selangor 5-0 in a Group B match at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

They now have the maximum 12 points from four matches and will wrap up their group fixtures against Kuala Lumpur today.

Three teams remain in contention for a place in the semi-finals from Group B. They are Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Terengganu.

Malacca's Nazmi Kamaruddin kept up his goal-scoring act, going on target in the 13th and 26th minutes against Selangor to take his tally to eight goals. The other scorers for Malacca were Mohd Arifin Dolah (23rd), Mohd Fareez Ismail (34th) and Dedy Ariyadi Jumaidi (66th).

Malacca coach G. Ravindran said that although they had qualified for the semi-finals, they would not take the match against KL lightly.

“We want to continue playing well in the tournament and do not want to break the good rhythm of the team,” he said.

Sukma (Malaysia Games) champions KL stayed on track for a place in the semi-finals with a 2-0 win over Johor. Mohd Faisal Kamaruddin gave the city side the lead off their first penalty corner in the eighth minute. And Hafis Jami converted another penalty corner in the 20th minute.

KL have eight points from two wins and two draws and their chances of reaching the last four will depend on the outcome of their match against Malacca.

KL coach K. Dharmaraj said: “My boys missed a lot of scoring chances against Johor and we cannot afford to do that against favourites Malacca. I hope my boys will rise to the occasion and get the better of Malacca.”

Penang are virtually through to the semi-finals from Group A after demolishing Pahang 6-0 yesterday to stay on top of the standings. Penang, who have 10 points from three wins and a draw, wrap up their group fixtures against Kelantan today.

Izwan Firdaus Ahmad Tajuddin was the toast for Penang yesterday, scoring a hat-trick in the second, sixth and 56th minutes. Mohd Jamil Saidin scored two goals in the 39th and 63rd minutes and Craig Joseph Fernandez scored the other goal in the 30th minute.

Negri Sembilan took a step closer to reaching the last four after defeating defending champions Perak 3-2 yesterday. They have nine points from four matches and wrap up the group fixtures against Kedah today.

Razlee Amree Mustafar (3rd, 52nd) and Mohd Syazwan Rosley (54th) scored for Negri while Perak replied through Mohd Alif Mohd Ali (30th) and Mohd Razali Mohd Zulkapli (63rd).