SMK Chengal of Kelantan defied the form books to make the final of the 100PLUS Super Cup tomorrow where they will take on SMK Tinggi Kajang of Selangor in the decisive tie for the crown this year.
The east coast side was clearly the better side in their semi-final clash against SMK Tunku Ampuan Durah of Negeri Sembilan and where really they could have scored at least five goals inside the first half alone but for the lack of a credible finisher.
But the two early goals in a three-minute blitz off Muhammad Amirul Nizam Mohd Azmi in the fifth minute and then Amirul Syafiq Abdul Rahim in the seventh minute were enough to put them through although SMK Tunku Ampuan Durah did pull a goal back in the 27th minute off Mohd Fathi Ahmad Farid.
“We lost out the final in 2011, so our desire is to bring the Cup back to Kelantan,” said Muhammad Ridzuan Daud, head coach of SMK Chengal, who was also the head coach of Kelantan’s SMK Putera when they were the champions back in 2009.
“We had a lot of chances sure but we just could not put the goal into the back of the net. That is something which we need to improve on.”
In the meantime, SMK Tinggi Kajang had to play the patient game against the 2003 winners SMK Guar Perahu of Penang before they were able to carve out a hard fought 2-0 victory.
Following the scoreless draw at the end of a pulsating first half, SMK Tinggi Kajang pulled out all the stops for Muhammad Arash Mazlan to score from close range in the 46th minute as Nik Muhd Ikmal Nik Md Zain then added another right at the hour mark.
“The boys stuck to the game plan and that was important,” said Shaari Abdul Hamid, the head coach of SMK Tinggi Kajang.
“We will not make it easy for Kelantan in the final that is for sure. But I hope that the players have enough in the tank for tomorrow.”
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.
RESULTS – 21 Dec 2015
QUARTER-FINALS
SMK Bukit Chengal (Kelantan) 3
SMK Perkasa (Perak) 1
SMK Bukit Rambai (Melaka) 0
SMK Tunku Ampuan Durah (Negeri Sembilan) 1
SMK Guar Perahu (Penang) 2
SMK Dato’ Seri Amar Diraja (Johor) 0
SMK Tinggi Kajang (Selangor) 0 (4)
SMK Putrajaya Presint 14(1) 0 (3)
SEMI-FINALS
SMK Bukit Chengal (Kelantan) 2
SMK Tunku Ampuan Durah (Negeri Sembilan) 1
SMK Guar Perahu (Penang) 0
SMK Tinggi Kajang (Selangor) 1
FIXTURES – 22nd Dec 2015
Final (4pm): SMK Chengal (Kelantan) vs SMK Tinggi Kajang (Selangor)
3rd & 4th Placing (8am): SMK Tunku Ampuan Durah (Negeri Sembilan) vs SMK Guar Perahu (Penang) 0
