“PKNS are the defending champions and we had expected a tough match. It was a close match and could have gone either way. Luck was on our side and Sri Sagis managed to score from one of the many chances that came his way.
“We would like to commend the players for their commitment in the match,’’ said Anbuchelvan.
Now, Klang District Football Association, represented by Pemuda Pandamaran Jaya, will face another tough opponent Selangor Indian Football Association in the quarter-finals. They made it to the last eight as the second-placed team in Group C.
Anbuchelvan said they were well prepared to face the opposition.
“We trained the past 10 days and managed to overcome our shortcomings. We would like to see our strikers score. They cannot afford to make any mistakes as we are now in the knock-out stage,’’ said Anbuchelvan.
Following the defeat, PKNS, who remain the favourites, have been drawn to meet Hulu Langat District Football Association in the quarter-finals at the PKNS ground on Sunday.
In Group B, PNSB and Kuala Langat District Football Association played out a 1-1 draw at the Mini Stadium in Shah Alam. But it was a peculiar situation as both teams had four points each. The goal difference was also the same, as both teams had scored as well as conceded the same number of goals. The organising committee and Football Association of Selangor had to convene a special meeting with the teams to decide on the next step.
Tournament co-ordinator Michael Palani said they discussed the matter with the teams who then “both accepted our suggestion to decide the top spot by the toss of a coin and Kuala Langat District Football Association won the spot.”
In the quarter-finals, PNSB, who lost to PKNS in last year’s final, will lock horns with NPNG, while Kuala Langat District Football Association will clash with JKM.
NPNG topped Group D when they defeated JKM 4-0 at the SUK Ground in Shah Alam.
Michael said of the quarter-finals: “The eight teams have been impressive in the preliminary round. It will be interesting to see them squaring up in the quarter-finals.’’
Results
Group A: Klang District Football Association bt PKNS 1-0.
Group B: PNSB drew Kuala Langat District Football Association 1-1.
Group C: Hulu Langat District Football Association bt First International Academy 7-0.
Group D: NPNG bt JKM 4-0.
Quarter-finals (kick-off 4pm)
Tomorrow: Klang District Football Association vs Selangor Indian Football Association (SUK A, Shah Alam).
Sunday: PNSB vs NPNG (SUK A, Shah Alam); Kuala Langat District Football Association vs JKM (NPNG); PKNS vs Hulu Langat District Football Association (PKNS, Kelana Jaya).
*Sumber Dari The Star
