PAHANG TO TAKE ON ATM IN FINAL

Pahang will take on Armed Forces after both teams safely negotiated their way past their semi final opponents in the 5th Raja Noora Ashikin Cup 2011 at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil this morning.

Pahang defeated PDRM 4-0 while Armed Forces disposed off KL Sukma 4-1 on the adjacent pitch.

This will be Pahang's first appearance in the final of the RNA Cup since its inception in 2000. Their best finish has been a third spot in 2005.

They were surprisingly given a tough time by PDRM especially in the first half but eventually prevailed, scoring four in the next 35 minutes.

"We knew it was a matter of time before we could break down their defence and it was all the matter of being patient and getting the first goal," said Pahang coach C. Sreedharan.

"Now that we are in the final, we aim to win the title. But it will not be easy as ATM have been improving from match to match.

"Still I feel we have players that will turn the tide in our favour and winning our group match 1-0 has given my players a psychological boost."

Pahang opened scoring in the 46th minute through a penalty corner converted by Fazilla Syvester Silin. And they doubled their advantage in the 53rd minute, this time Nuraini Abd Rashid finding the mark.

With PDRM running out of steam and time Pahang managed to squeeze in two more goals, through skipper Nor Hasliza Md Ali (65th minute) and Nuraini (69th minute) for an emphatic win.

In the other semi final match, ATM were far the superior side, dominating much of the match. But credit must be given to the KL Sukma youngsters who just refused to be cowed in by the reputation and experience of their opponents.

Skipper Nadia Abdul Rahman started the ball rolling by scoring in the 25th minute. And a minute before the halftime hooter, ATM doubled their advantage as Siti Rodiah Tumin scored.

Izzuin Ismail sent an unstoppable drag flick high into the roof of the KL Sukma goal from a penalty corner in the 43rd minute to make it 3-0 before Nadia scored the fourth in the 55th minute.

KL Sukma scored a consolation in the 65th minute via Zhulaili Zakaria in the 65h minute.

Results:


Semi Finals


Pahang 4 PDRM 0
ATM 4 KL Sukma 1


Fixtures - Saturday, November 26, 2011

3/4th Placing
1600H- KL Sukma v PDRM


Final
1800H - Pahang v Armed Forces
(Live on Astro Arena CH801)


Both matches at Pitch 2 National Hockey Stadium Bukit Jalil)

KL AND ATM BOOK SEMIS SPOT

KL Sukma and Armed Forces qualified for the semi finals of the 5th Raja Noora Ashikin Cup 2011 in contrasting fashion at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

While ATM romped home with a 11-0 demolition of SMK Puteri, KL Sukma were held to a 2-2 draw by Singapore.

ATM made it to the semis as the best placed runner up in the three pools and will take on KL Sukma who required only a draw to confirm their spot.

KL took the lead in the 7th minute through Nor Azlin Sumantri, the younger sister of Project 2013 player Nor Izzat Sumantri.

However Singapore drew level in the 18th minute through Li Min Toh. However their joy ewas shortlived as KL went 2-1 ahead via skipper Fathih Hasni.

Singapore scored their second goal in the 50th minute through Sabrina Bahnu De Gofar but could not muster up a third that could have given them a spot in the last four.

Meanwhile ATM played at half pace, perhaps wary of the fact that they will be playing the semis in less then 24 hours. But it was still good enough to whip the Negeri Sembilan side who are actually preparing for the National Under 16 Tournament in Seremban in two weeks time.

Nadia Abdul Rahman put ATM ahead in the 2nd minute before Siti Rahmad doubled the advantage in the 7th minute.

And that opened the floodgates with goals from Nadia ( 9th and 42nd minute), Siti Rodiah Tumin ( 23rd and 67th minutes), Ma Jamaliah (32nd and 45th minutes), Thalasiah Yaacob ( 56th minute) and Juliani Mohammad Din (61st minute).

FIXTURES


FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2011


SEMI FINALS

0800H - Pitch 1 - PDRM v Pahang
8088H - Pitch 2 - Armed Forces v KL Sukma

RESULTS

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2011

Group A 

Johor 2 Seri Titiwangsa 0

PDRM 4 Perak 1

Group B 

Terengganu 2 Penang 1
Armed Forces 11 SMK Puteri 0

Group C
Selangor 10  Setia Cougar 0 

Singapore 2 KL Sukma 2

FINAL STANDING

Group A
                              P      W      D      L     G      A      PTS

PDRM                   4       3       0       1     17      6      9

Johor                     4       2       2       0     10      5       8

Perak                     4       1       2       1      9       9       5

Kedah                   4       1      2        1      9       9        5
S. Titiwangsa        4       0       0       4      2      18      0

Group B
                              P      W      D      L     G      A      PTS
Pahang                  4       4       0       0      26     2       12

ATM                     4       3        0       1     18      2        9

Tgganu                  4      2        0       2      13     9        6

Penang                  4       1       0       3      6      14       3

SMK Puteri           4       0       0       4      1      37       0

Group C
                              P      W      D      L     G      A      PTS

KL Sukma             4       3       1      0     11      4      10

Singapore              4       2       2       0      8      2        8

Selangor                4       2      1       1      15     5        7
Malacca                 4       1       0      3     5       4        3

S. Cougar              4       0       0      4      1      25       0

 

TEAMS IN BOLD QUALIFY FOR SEMI FINALS