Kuala
Lumpur successfully defended their MHC-MILO-NSC-MOE Natioanl Under 14 title
when they edged Johor 3-2 in extra time in a closely contested final at the
Seremban 2 Hockey Stadium.
It
was an exciting final, befitting the status of the two teams that were the most
consistent teams in the tournament.
Kuala
Lumpur have thus won the Milo Trophy for the 6th consecutive time,
since its inception in 2007, a feat that is unlikely to be matched by others
for years to come.
Kuala
Lumpur took the lead in the 22nd minute through Fallah Hassan
Shahrom Jamil.
But
Johor were undeterred and found the equaliser a minute before halftime via Muhamad
Haikal Safaruddin who converted a penalty corner.
However
despite playing better, Johor were unlucky as they failed to make use of the
chances and KL went ahead once again in the 60th minute with
Kavinash Panicker Thevendran finding space to slot in.
Just
when KL thought they had clinched the title, Johor found the equaliser two
minutes from time throughMuhammad Shafiq Hassan to take the match to sudden
death extra time.
And Kuala
Lumpur’s Wan haziq Hisyamuddin Wan Ameer Ruzman scored a gem of a goal five
minutes into extra time to give the city side the title.
“We
were fortunate to win as Johor finished the match stronger. I told my players
at the end of regulation time to be patient and no to take risks,” said KL
coach Mohd Madzli Ikmar.
“And
when the opportunity presented itself, Wan Haziq scored with a beauty. Even I
could not have finished that well.
“It
is a great moment for us and retaining the trophy is always difficult. I am
proud of my players.”
In
the match to determine the bronze, hosts Negri Sembilan edged Perak 3-2 in
extra time.
Perak
took a 2-0 lead within the first 6 minutes through Muhammad Najmi Hayazi (3rd
minute) and Syed Muhammad Syakir Syed Cholam (6th minute).
Negri
fought gallantly and were on level terms through Muhammad Hilmi Hairuddin (18th
minute) and Mahathir Rathuwan (34th minute).
Results:
3/4
Placing
Negri
Sembilan 3 Perak 2 (after extra time)
Final:
Kuala
Lumpur 3 Johor 2 (after extra time)
Roll
of Honour
Champions:
Kuala Lumpur
Runner
Up: Johor
Third:
Negri Sembilan
Fourth:
Perak
Fair
Play: Malacca
Top
Scorer: Mohd Najmi Hayazi (Perak)
Best
Goalkeeper: George Dylan De Silva (Johor)
Man
of the Match (Final): Fallah Hassan Shahrom Jamil (Kuala Lumpur)
Most
Promising Player: Mahathir Rathuwan (Negri Sembilan)
