KANGAR – SMK Syed Hassan’s hope of having both their Under-14 and also the Under-17 teams make the final of this year’s Minister of Education League suffered a dent on the weekend when they were held to disappointing draws at home in Kangar.
Both teams of the U14 and U17 teams have been the surprise package this season as they set the pace in either league to dump the favourites out of contention.
And even though confidence were running high at the Mini Stadium of SMK Syed Hassan, it was the U14 team who experienced disappointment earlier in the day when they were held to a 2-2 draw by SMK Bukit Nenas of Terengganu.
On target for SMK Syed Hassan were Muhmmad Danial Abdullah in the sixth minute and Muhammad Ashrafi Azizan in the 43rd minute as SMK Bukit Nenas replied through Muhammad Isa Rahman in the ninth minute and then Muhammad Hairey Hakim Mamat in the 45th minute.
“We are not too disappointed by the draw considering that this is the first time we are playing against the side from Terengganu,” said SMK Syed Hassan coach Wan Mohd Izuan Wan Ideris.
“But the heavy downpour affected the quality of play as otherwise the game would have been much, much better. Nonetheless, we are still looking forward to a better showing in Kuala Terengganu.”
Added Nordin Ahmad, the coach of SMK Bukit Nenas: “the result is good for us as now we will have a better chance for the return match at home.
“I thought that the players were fantastic in absorbing the relentless onslaught from the home team and also our ability to come back from two goals down. It was a good weekend for sure.”
The older U17 lads also could not fare any better in their tie against SMK Bukit Nenas when they were held to a 1-1 draw. But this time round, it was the home team who had to play catch up when the visitors scored the lead after just 16 minutes through Muhammad Fekry Azam Shariff.
But Muhammad Zafuan Azeman managed to restore parity in the 85th minute when he slotted home from close range.
“The rain played a big part in the outcome of this match,” said SMK Syed Hassan coach Azizul Abidin, who has been with the programme since the start of the league in 2008.
“The fans were fantastic and that pushed us a lot especially when we were down. So there will be another 90 minutes to play for and we will just have to play all out once again.”
Zainuddin Md. Zain, the head coach of defending champions SMK Bukit Nenas, said that a drawn game was a fair result considering the condition of the pitch.
“The important thing is that we were not beaten plalying in Kangar,” Zainuddin said. “Now we have a good chance of making the final and where we hope that both teams will make the cut so that we can at our own venue of Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium.”
The second leg semi-finals will be played on 26 October 2014.
The MELC and 100PLUS Super Cup are among several youth programmes and competitions supported by 100PLUS, Malaysia’s leading isotonic beverage.
The others include the 100PLUS Malaysian Junior Golf Open and the 100PLUS National Junior Badminton Circuit. 100PLUS is recommended by the National Sports Council.
UNDER-14 RESULTS – SEMI-FINALS, FIRST LEG
SMK Mutiara Impian (PENANG) 2
SMK Seri Kota (MELAKA) 1
SMK Syed Hassan (PERLIS) 2
SMK Bukit Nenas (TERENGGANU) 2
UNDER-17 RESULTS
SEMI-FINALS, FIRST LEG
SMK Syed Hassan (PERLIS) 1
SMK Bukit Nenas (TERENGGANU) 1
SSM Bukit Jalil (U15) 0
SMK Tabuan Jaya (SARAWAK) 1
FIXTURES – 26 Oct 2014 – SEMI-FINALS, SECOND LEG
UNDER-14
SMK Seri Kota (MELAKA) vs SMK Mutiara Impian (PENANG)
SMK Bukit Nenas (TERENGGANU) vs SMK Syed Hassan (PERLIS)
UNDER-17
SMK Bukit Nenas (TERENGGANU) vs SMK Syed Hassan (PERLIS)
SMK Tabuan Jaya (SARAWAK) vs SSM Bukit Jalil (U15)
