Sunday, November 29, 2009

U-14 :: Perak, KL the teams to beat in U-14 tourney

Last year’s finalists Perak and Kuala Lumpur will start as favourites in the national Under-14 hockey championship, which begins today at the Kuantan Hockey Stadium.

But both teams are wary of the threat from the east coast sides, who usually challenge strongly in age-group level competitions.

KL coach K. Rajan said that no team could be taken lightly in an age-group meet.

“Therefore, it means nothing when Perak and KL are installed as the top seeds. Teams with good development programmes will be strong challengers and the east coast sides will be the main threat,” he said.

KL have former champions Terengganu in Group B along with Malacca, Selangor and Negri Sembilan.

Defending champions Perak will be up against Pahang and Kelantan in Group A, which also has Penang and Perlis.

Matches in the championships will be held at two venues – the Kuantan Hockey Stadium and the Sukpa Hockey Stadium.

KL have yet to win the Under-14 national tournament and Rajan is hoping that they will go one step further this time.

Fixtures

Today: Perak vs Pahang (3pm), Penang vs Kelantan (5pm) K. Lumpur vs N. Sembilan (7.30pm), Selangor vs Malacca (9.30pm). – Kuantan Hockey Stadium.