NST Online: Sports
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| Football / Malaysia Cup: Grand comeback Posted: 29 Oct 2011 10:55 AM PDT 2011/10/30 Negri Sembilan's Abdul Halim Zainal (right) and Terengganu's Mohd Faizal Mohamad vie for the ball in the Malaysia Cup final at Shah Alam Stadium yesterday. Negri won 2-1. — Picture by Yazit Razali Hairuddin Omar's spectacular half-volley four minutes from time earned Negri Sembilan their third Malaysia Cup title as they came from behind to edge Terengganu 2-1 at the Shah Alam Stadium yesterday. Hairuddin, who was named Man-of-the-Match, timed his run brilliantly in the box before reaching out to captain Shukor Adan's cross to score from close range after S. Kunanlan's in-swinging cross was misjudged by Terengganu keeper Sharbinee Allawee before hitting the back of the net for the equaliser in the 80th minute.
As for Negri coach Azraai Khor Abdullah, his fourth title as a coach was a belated birthday present for himself as he turned 59 on Tuesday. "What can I say about this win? When I took over as coach seven months ago, Negri were not doing well...and today (yesterday) they are Malaysia Cup champions. I am proud of my players," said Azraai.
Azraai surprised many by playing Shukor, a midfielder, upfront along with Hairuddin and the move paid dividends as his captain's tireless work rate and experience caused all sorts of problems to Terengganu. "I was confident that we would win as Terengganu seemed tensed as they were the favourites here. Anyway, I am so happy today (yesterday) as this is my first time winning the Malaysia Cup as captain," said Shukor.
"We managed to create chances after Negri had levelled but we failed to capitalise on them. I do not want to blame any of my players for this defeat as everyone played well," said the disappointed coach. Azraai opt for a strong defensive and midfield line-up, which restricted Terengganu's movement. Negri seemed to have won the midfield battle as they created opportunities early in the match. Hairuddin almost took advantage of Terengganu's defensive slip-up after 44 seconds but his powerful shot went across the goal-mouth. But as the game went on, Terengganu managed to find their footing in the match and came close in the 23rd minute when Manaf Mamat found space in Negri's penalty box but his attempt, which flew just over the finger tips of goalkeeper Farizal Marlias, rattled the crossbar. The quick legs of S.Kunanlan, along the left flank, and the experience of Hairuddin and captain Shukor Adan gave Terengganu defenders and goalkeeper Sharbinee Allawee some anxious moments. Terengganu relied on quick breaks and from one of those exchanges, Negri were caught back-pedalling when Manaf found space at the edge of the box only to be fouled by centre back Aidil Zafuan Radzak, who subsequently received a yellow card from referee Shokri Nor. Negri started more on the offensive after the breather. Shukor the found energy to outpace substitute defender Helmi Remeli, who came on for Mazlizam Mohamad, but the 32-year-old's powerful rising shot hit the side netting. Terengganu's policy to play quick counter attack football paid off in the 59th minute. Manaf collected the ball from the middle of the field and used his speed to good effect to outpace several players before his pass, which deflected off a Negri defender, found Ashaari, who in turn rifled the shot past keeper Farizal for a 1-0 lead. That goal changed the tempo of the match as both teams played in furious pace with the desperate Negri side determined not to go home disappointed after last year's failure in the final. And Negri were rewarded courtesy of a mistake by goalkeeper Sharbinee, who allowed Kunanlan's in-swinging cross past him in the 80th minute. Hairuddin then scored the winner, his eighth goal in the competition in the 86th minute to hand Negri the title. Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
| Golf: Masterful McIlroy three clear in Shanghai Posted: 29 Oct 2011 10:54 AM PDT Rory McIlroy tees off on the 9th hole in the third round of the Shanghai Masters yesterday. — AP picture The 22-year-old Northern Irishman made seven birdies in another bogey-free round on the Jack Nicklaus-designed course at Lake Malaren on the outskirts of Shanghai to total 18-under 198. McIlroy is a step closer to the tournament's US$2 million (RM6 million) first-place prize money, the richest in golf and bigger than the US$1.44 million he pocketed for winning the US Open in June.
Kim, a three-time winner on the PGA Tour, is looking for his first victory of the year. His best finish was a share of fifth place at the British Open. South Korea's Noh Seung Yul was one stroke behind Kim at 14 under after following up his second-round 63 with a 67.
Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa, who started the day equal third, had a terrible round in the overcast conditions, hitting four bogeys and a double bogey on the par-5 13th hole for a 76. The 2010 British Open champion fell to joint 12th at four under. There are 30 players competing in the lucrative invitational tournament, being held for the first year.
Because the International Management Group-run event isn't sanctioned by a major tour, it doesn't have world-ranking points. |
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