KUANTAN: Selangor put up an inspiring performance to book a semifinal spot in the Under-15 Malaysian Schools Football Championships (MSSM), while Under-18 defending champions Penang were shown the exit by Kelantan after losing on penalties.
Bukit Jalil Sports School-based national players - Megat Syafique Syazwan Mohd Khairul and Muhammad Azrin Afiq Rusmini - inspired Selangor to break down a stubborn Sarawak side with goals coming from Megat Syafique and Nasyrullah Mohd Zaki.
Sarawak replied through a goal from Mohd Wahiddan Azhim.
Selangor coach Wan Rizuan Wan Mohamad, relieved after the 2-1 win, said his players struggled a little to find the net today but on the overall he was satisfied with their performance.
"I expect Perak (semifinal opponent) to deploy a different tactic. Based on my observation, they could be dangerous though set-pieces. We cannot afford to sit back and let them do the attacking.
"The good news is that my players are free of injury and suspension. We are two games away from defending the title but I prefer to take things slowly...so let’s beat Perak first and then think of the final," he said, adding that the core of his team are players from SMK Seksyen 11 Shah Alam, Selangor.
Meanwhile, Perak manager Abdullah Hakim said his players are looking forward to the semifinal clash against Selangor after failing to get through the group stages in last year's edition.
"We do not know much about Selangor's strengths but I am expecting a tough match especially after both teams (Perak and Selangor) only managed to register slim wins against their opponents in the quarterfinal. It will be special if we can beat the defending champions and book ourselves a spot in the final on Friday," he said.
Perak, comprising several players from SMK Gunung Rapat, scored through Muhammad Afiq Danial Ismail and Muhamad Nasyrullah Mohd Zaki while Pahang got their goal through Azim Haikal Mohamad Adnan.
In the Under-18 quarterfinal, Penang and Kelantan were tied 0-0 after regulation and extra time, forcing penalties, with Kelantan emerging 4-2 winners.
RESULTS
Under-18 - Quarterfinal - Melaka 2 Sarawak 0; Terengganu 1 Selangor 0 ; Johor 0 Kuala Lumpur 0 (KL win 3-1 on penalties) ; Penang 0 - Kelantan 0 (Kelantan win 4-2 on penalties)
Under-15 - Quarterfinal - Kedah 2 Terengganu 0 ; Johor 1 Melaka 1( Melaka win 5-4 on penalties) ; Perak 2 Pahang 1 ; Selangor 2 Sarawak 1
Under-12 - Quarterfinal - Negri Sembilan 0 Perak 2; Pahang 6 Sabah 1 ; Kedah 4 Kelantan 1 ;Selangor 3 Perlis 1