Seberang Temerloh thrash Mutiara Impian to qualify for semi-finals

The Star Online > Sports
Thursday March 3, 2005

Seberang Temerloh thrash Mutiara Impian to qualify for semi-finals
BY S. RAMAGURU

KUALA LUMPUR: Pahang's Seberang Temerloh came good in their last Group A match at the Tun Razak Stadium here yesterday to qualify for the semi-finals of the MWHA-Milo-NSC Champions Schools hockey tournament.

They needed a two-goal win over Penang's SMK Mutiara Impian but chalked up a 6-1 victory to set up a semi-final match today against Group B winners SMK Raja Perempuan of Perak.

The other semi-final is between defending champions SMK Padang Midin of Terengganu and the Malaysia Sports School Under-16 side.

The semi-final match-up is a repeat of last year's competition with Padang Midin going on to beat Raja Perempuan in the final.

Seberang Temerloh played with determination yesterday and shot in front with a field goal by Siti Saleha Hassan in the second minute. They had a foot in the semi-final with a goal by Fifi Maizura Fauzan in the 13th minute.

Second-half goals by Hamelia Mohamed Akhawan, Zam Dahlia Shamsuri, Fifi and Noriani Abdul Rashid in the 37th, 55th, 59th and 69th minutes gave Seberang Temeloh the convincing victory.

Nurl Azleen scored the consolation goal for Mutiara Impian in the 63rd minute.

In an earlier match, Negri Sembilan's SMK Puteri needed a draw against Padang Midin to put Seberang Temerloh out of contention. But Puteri conceded a 26th minute goal to Nor Diana Rosli to give the defending champions a solitary goal win.

Sports School, who had already completed their group fixtures the previous day, made the cut � thanks to Raja Perempuan's 4-0 win over Sultan Ibrahim.

The scorers for Raja Perempuan were Nur Asyhadah Ahmad Sapawi (12th), Khairul Najla Hasnor (17th) and Noor Hafidatun Omar (60th, 70th).

Sports School coach Yahya Atan said that his team would have a tough time against Padang Midin.

�The are playing well and have some very good players. But it will be a good exposure for my players, most of whom are under 15-years-old,� he said.