JOIN USMalaysian junior team defeated Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) ‘A’ 3-1 to enter the final of the Ozonegroup KSHA Super Division league (first phase, second round) at the KSHA stadium on Saturday.
With six points from two matches, the visitors have qualified from Pool ‘B’ and will face MEG ‘A’, who drew with ASC 2-2, in their final Pool ‘A’ game. MEG ‘A’ and ASC ended with four points from two matches but the former advanced with a better goal difference of +1.
Skipper Fitri Saari (7th), Hafiz Zainol (58th) and Rashid Baharom (66th) scored for the Malaysians while Sheshegowd’s eighth-minute goal kept DYSS in the hunt in the first half.
The Malaysian colts got going straightaway with fluent moves in the midfield. In the midst of probing the DYSS defence, the tourists won a penalty corner and Saari had no problems drag-flicking the ball past DYSS custodian Mahan Gowda in the seventh minute.
DYSS, however, stunned the Malaysians the very next minute when Sheshegowd whizzed away on the left flank with a breathtaking run that ended in a low shot past Malaysian goalkeeper Hafizuddin Othman.
The Malaysian juniors quickly regained their composure and launched attacks on the DYSS citadel.
The Malaysians attacked with more purpose after the interval, nudging ahead through Zainol before Baharom secured them the game with a goal four minuted from time.
Results: Malaysian junior team: 3 (Fitri Saari 7th, Hafiz Zainol 58th, Rashid Baharom 66th) bt DYSS ‘A’: 1 (Sheshegowd 8th); MEG ‘A’: 2 (Robin 7th, Sahayjayaseelan 38th) drew ASC: 2 (Bhariya Bhengra 11th, 24th).