Host Johor and Kuala Lumpur stayed closely in the shadow of Group A leader Pahang as the race for semifinal spots hots up in the TNB Tun Abdul Razak Cup 2024 at the Johor Hockey Stadium, Taman Daya, Johor Bahru.
Both teams eked out a 2-2 draw in their crucial match today that saw Johor move to second in the table standings with 10 points – two behind Pahang, while KL are third on 8 points after four matches.
Zulpidaus Mizun scored from a penalty corner in the 25th minute for KL’s opening goal, and Faiz Helmi Jali converted a penalty stroke just before the end of regulation time.
Johor’s remaining matches are against Pahang tomorrow and Singapore on Wednesday. The Singaporeans displayed a much-improved performance against Selangor before going down 0-5. They started their campaign with defeats against Pahang (0-18), Perlis (1-8), and Kuala Lumpur (0-7).
Muhamad Danish Aqasha (6th, 49th), Muhamad Zamirul Hisham (39th, 56th), and Harith Daniel (55th) scripted Selangor’s victory.
Meanwhile, KL will go head-to-head against Selangor tomorrow followed by Pahang on Wednesday. The race for semifinal spots in Group A is expected to be a three-corner battle between Pahang, Johor and KL.
In the last Group A match of the day, Penang and Perlis drew 3-3. Penang are in forth spot with five points, and Perlis fifth spot.
Terengganu and Malacca went on a demolition exercise today in Group B matches against Negeri Sembilan and Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) respectively.
The east coach state humbled Negeri Sembilan 10-0 with a five-goal blitz from Speedy Tigers top goal poacher Faizal Saari. Mohamad Akhimullah Anuar Esook, 23, netted three goals while Darwisy Hamdan and Muhammad Adam Haikal scored one each.
Later in the evening, the Green Shirts Malacca produced a sparkling performance to romp home to a 10-1 victory over PDRM. Amirrullah Zainol netted a hat-trick (11th, 32nd, 45th), and Muhammad Muhibuddin Moharam scored a brace (33rd, 43rd). The other goals came through Muhammad Nur Ashraf (10th), Amir Saifuddin Abdul Rahim (22nd), Jebat Aiman (41st), Dedy Ariyadi (59th), and Harieq Hadief (60th).
Terengganu tops Pool A with 15 points following an unbeaten record of five consecutive wins, and conclude their Pool B fixtures against Sabah on Wednesday (Oct 9). Perak are second on nine points with matches remaining against Malacca tomorrow and PDRM on Wednesday.
Negeri Sembilan’s ‘fine run’ in the tournament was deeply tainted by today’s mauling that diminished every bright spark of making it through to the last four. With seven points in their bag, Kavin Kartik’s boys face a litmus test against ATM in the last pool match tomorrow.
Armed Forces defeated Sabah 3-2, amassed a total of six points, and are fourth in the standings. Wins over Negeri Sembilan tomorrow and Malacca (Oct 9) may just bring a ray of hope to ATM.