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18-06 Malacca in right frame of mind to lift first title

2010-06-18 23:06:00

INJURIES to two key players will not dampen Malacca’s spirit in their bid to win a first Sukma men’s hockey title when they meet defending champions Kuala Lumpur in the final at the Malacca Hockey Stadium today.

Malacca, who have goalkeeper Mohd Harfizi Baharom and defender Fawwaz Amir Mohd Zin as doubtful starters, will draw confidence from having outplayed KL 5-1 in a group match.

KL have two national players in their ranks in defender Mohd Razie Abdul Rahim and midfielder Nabil Fiqri Mohd Noor and they will be gunning for a fourth consecutive title since the 2004 Games in Seremban.

Malacca coach K. Balakrishnan said that there was concern over the fitness of skipper Harfizi and Fawwaz.

“Harfizi has played exceptionally well in the Games. He injured his left wrist in the semi-final against Perak (on Wednesday) while Fawwaz is down with a knee injury,” he said yesterday.

“I not sure whether both of them can play in the final. But with or without them, my boys have vowed to give their best.

“Malacca are in their first men’s hockey final since the inception of Sukma in 1986. We have home ground advantage but getting the better of KL will be no easy task.

“Although they lost to us in the group match, they will still start as favourites after having thrashed Penang 7-2 to get into the finals and will start out as the favourites.”

KL coach K. Rajan said that the pressure would be on them to retain the title.

“However, my players have showed improvement in every match and I believe that they will rise to the occasion to win the final,” he said.

“We will bank on Razie to deliver the penalty corner goals (the defender scored a hat-trick against Penang).”

Source The Star