IMT-GT Games Final - UiTM 1 UUM 0

UUM went down 0-1 to UiTM in the 11th IMT-GT Sports Carnival Soccer Final this afternoon at the UiTM Stadium in Arau. The Northern Warriors went down after they fought gallantly against the more superior and fancied UiTM. The goal was scored in the dying minutes after the defenders failed to clear the ball out of the danger area and deflected into the goal. However UUM was forced to play with only 10 men throughout the remaining 15 minutes after Mohd Sharin Mujin was flashed the red card for his second yellow card offence.

UUM played with full of discipline knowing that UiTM will come in full strength after their first round trashing. Zaki Lateh started in the 1st eleven partnering Cao Le and Mahama Saiful Kalate in midfield. Unfortunately he failed to sustain in the game due to his knee injury and was replaced by Obiekwe Nourbert. The midfielders sticked to the instructions by closing the space for the opponents to deliver the ball to their strikers and that strategy proved to be effective. However Mohd Nasron Basri who was given the lone striker responsibility upfront failed to perform. Mohd Saiful Islam Ghazali was unable to lift up his game on the right. The tired legs of the entire team proved to be very costly and with injuries to several key players. However the superb performance by goalkeeper, Mohd Razi Azami (pic) throughout the match was commendable as he kept the opponent at bay with several fine saves. After the dismissal of Mohd Sharin Mujin, the team could only hope to be able to hold the opponent until the final minute and force them to play in the extra time.

With the final match and considering the quality and the duration to prepare the team to this carnival, it is indeed a great achievement by the Northern Warriors. They showed excellent fighting discipline, commitments and solid teamwork througout the games and made the UUM's community proud. The team will take a short break prior to the MASUM's Sports Carnival in May and will report for training on Monday, April 6th, 2009.