IMT-GT Games - UUM 3 TSU 0 And Into The Final

The Northern Warriors beat the odd against favourite Thailand's Thaksin University of Songkhla (TSU) in the semi final which was played at the Kangar Municipality football field. UUM trooped into the field being an underdog to the much superior TSU team but discpline and team work managed to put the team through to the final. 3 goals from Mohd Rahizan Md Kasmani (10th), Cao Le (57th) and Noorhasrul Zainal (68th) gave the Northern Warriors much confidence in completing the game in a victorious note.

UUM made a minor change in the line up with a more defensive approach realising that TSU has superb technical abilities in each of their players. The defenders gave a spirited and disciplined performance, cutting out any advantage to their strikers. Both Thai strikers were totally out of their game with the tight man to man marking by K.Shanker and R.Thevan. Mohd Sharin Mujin recovered from his earlier match setback and gave a splendid performance on the left back position. Cao Le (pic) combined well in midfield together with the hardworking Mohd Saiful Islam Ghazali. The 1st goal came from a through ball from the back to Mohd Rahizan Md Kasmani and without any pressure simply tapped the ball to the left far post beating the goalkeeper. Both teams were being victimised by many rediculious decisions by the referee. The match stood at 1-0 to UUM in the first half.

UUM made 3 substitutions in the second half by bringing in Mohd Nasron Basri for the tired Syed Mohamad Hilmi Shahabudin. Out of a direct freekick awarded to UUM, Cao Le calmly and beautifully curled in the ball to the far post to give UUM the 2-0 lead. That inspired the team to be more focused to seal the match. Thailand was left with 10 men in the 64th minute after their defender was sent off for collecting his second yellow card. UUM took the advantage well when Noorhasrul Zainal made it 3-0 for UUM when he ran with the ball into the box and tapped it in from an outrushing Thai goalie. K.Tharmendran replaced the fatigued Noorhasrul Zainal shortly after. Mohd Rahizan Md Kasmani then was substituted by Mahama Saiful Kalate.

The score remained until the final whistle and UUM celebrated themselves to the final. Both teams however were not happy with many decisions made by the referee when 10 yellow cards and 1 red card were given to both teams. The Northern Warriors will meet UiTM at the UiTM Stadium in Arau at 5.00pm.