MASUM Cup 2009 - UUM 4 UPM 5 (Penalty Shoot-out)

It was a heartbreaking evening for the Northern Warriors when the team was ousted from the MASUM Cup 2009 competition in the quarter final match against defending champion, University Putra Malaysia (UPM). The team lost in the penalty shoot-out after playing with only 10 men throughout the 7o minutes including the extra time which was played at the University Technology Malaysia (UiTM) Sri Iskandar Campus, Perak Darul Ridzuan.

The team started unconvincingly with communication was again the main problem. The players played without self-confidence and were nervous throughout the first half. Things turned to be better in the second half with the team improved their communication problems but unfortunately, Cao Le was flashed a red card for some negative remarks against the referee. Despite the situation, the team still managed to take control of the match and was very close to scoring a goal in 3 situations. Lack of composure failed to allow Mohd Sharin Mujin and Mohd Nasron Basri to find the net in a one to one situation with the goalkeeper. During the extra time, UPM, despite having their best man on the field, failed to beat the 10 men of UUM.

During the shoot-out, Adam Alkhindy Akbar led the team with his first conversion and later followed by Mohd Taufikh Abdullah, R.Thevan and Mohd Nasron Basri. It was Dominic Roy who stepped in to take the fourth penalty kick failed to find the net when his kick was saved by the UPM's goalkeeper.

However head coach, Azman Eusoff, was full of praised and impressed by the attitude and discipline of his charges throughout the match as they showed strong character and determination to overcome the difficulties they had to face when were forced to play with only 10 men for almost 70 minutes when influential midfielder, Cao Le was sent off. R.Thevan (pic), despite having a high fever and suspected of gastric a day earlier, bit the pain and endured himself to play in the crucial game. It was unlucky indeed but the team will have to start looking forward in another 2 competitions.