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.

MASUM Cup 2009 - Injury List Growing

The list of injured players is growing and this is the main concern by head coach, Azman Hj Eusoff. Before the tournament started, goalkeeper, Mohd Razi Azami injured himself during the team outing at Teluk Batik and his place between the post was taken over by Ezad Fadzril Baharuddin (pic) who performed reasonably well against UniMAP. With K.Sankar suspended for the match against UPM in the quarter final, the fever that hit R.Thevan and hamstring injury to Ezad Fadzril, Cao Le, ankle injury that keeps Syamsul Hidayat Khairan out of the competition and thigh injury to striker Mohd Nasron Basri comes at the wrong time. The team needs the best team to overcome the defending champion who seems to be a very balanced team under the guidance of coach Saheh Said who assisted Azman Hj Eusoff in the recent Asean University Games 2008 in Kuala Lumpur.

The team will probably start with almost the same line up that defeated UniMAP except for K.Sankar who is on suspension. The team hopes to keep Ezad Fadzril Baharuddin in goal and Khairul Abdul Rahim will have to partner Dominic Roy Joseph as stoppers infront of Mohd Taufikh Abdullah. Should all goes well, the midfield trio of Cao Le, Mohd Saiful Islam Ghazali and Norbert Obiekwe will keep their place. Mohd Sharin Mujin and Muhammad Solihein Azmi will keep their right and left flank midfields position. Meanwhile, the team can also rely on the twin strikers partnership of Adam Alkhindy Akbar and Mohd Nasron Basri to find the net for UUM.

Whatever the situation is, the team will have to be very focused and concentrated in the match and hoping for the best that the outcome will favour UUM to qualify to the semi final.

MASUM CUP 2009 - UUM 4 UniMAP 0

It was a great start for the Northern Warriors in the MASUM Cup 2009 edition when they trashed neighbour, University Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) 4-0 in the opening match at University Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in Seri Iskandar, Perak Darul Ridzuan. Playing without several key players due to injuries, the Northern Warriors played with full of confidence. The team started the goal spree in the 22nd minute from a header by striker, Adam Alkhindy Akbar (pic) off a corner kick taken by Mohd Saiful Islam Ghazali. Despite the uneven pitch, the boys showed no sign of discomfort and played a possession game. The score remained in the first half.
K.Thevan headed the second goal in the 57th minute from another corner taken by Mohd Saiful Islam Ghazali. Adam Alkhindy Akbar again nodded his second goal of the match and put the team 3 goals up. The team kept their positive attitude and it paid off when Mohd Saiful Islam Ghazali tapped the team's fourth goal from a pass in the penalty box by Adam Alkhindy Akbar. Unfortunately the team lost its influential defender when K.Sankar was sent off for a second yellow card offence. The players kept themselves composed and managed to absorb the pressure throughout the remaining 20 minutes and the match ended with UUM beating UniMAP of Perlis 4-0. UUM will next meet defending champion, University Putra Malaysia (UPM) in the quarter final on May 27th at 4.30pm.