Malaysian juniors continued their winning streak defeating BEML, Bangalore, 5-3 in their opening Pool ‘B’ match of the Ozonegroup KSHA Super Division league (first phase, second round) at the KSHA stadium on Thursday.
Kavin Kathik (6th), Rashid Baharom (13th), Hafiz Zainol (16th) and Firhan Ashari (17th) scored first half goals for the Malaysians while Dangerous Lee (39th) struck in the second half.
BEML’s goals came in the second half through Kalappa (37th), Nanaiah (50th) and Chinga (54th).
The visitors were dominant in the initial stages of the match putting pressure on the BEML defence. Kathik opened the account with a penalty corner conversion in the 6th minute that sent alarm bells ringing in the BEML camp.
BEML custodian Hamid’s focus prevented the Malaysians from converting their second penalty corner. But Baharom executed their next penalty corner to perfection in the 13th minute for a 2-0 lead.
Zainol sounded the board in the 16th minute running in from the centre of the field before striking inside the D much to the dismay of the BEML defenders.
In the very next minute, Ashari piled on BEML’s agony when he struck a ferocious shot past a couple of defenders for the fourth goal.
BEML let two penalty corners go abegging in the last 18 minutes of the first half as Malaysians took the break with a four-goal cushion.
The second session saw an improved performance from BEML. Kalappa’s individual brilliance on the right helped the Bangalore-side pull one back.
Dangerous Lee lived up to his name again with a scything shot from the left for the Malaysians’ fifth goal in the 39th minute.
Nanaiah’s 50th minute penalty corner conversion and Chinga’s superb goal off a solo run from the right in the 54th minute helped BEML gain some respectability to the scoreline.
In a Pool ‘A’ match, MEG ‘A’ beat PCTC 3-0 with Bopanna CU (29th), Rakesh Anthony (43rd) and Kiran Kunjappa (58th) scoring for the Sappers.
DH News Service
Results: Malaysian junior team: 5 (Kavin Kathik 6th; Rashid Baharom 13th; Hafiz Zainol 16th; Firhan Ashari 17th; Dangerous Lee 39th) bt BEML: 3 (Kalappa 37th; Nanaiah 50th; Chinga 54th); MEG ‘A’: 3 (Bopanna CU 29th; Rakesh Anthony 43rd; Kiran Kunjappa 58th) bt PCTC: 0.