KUCHING: Samarahan are looking to register their fifth straight victory in the Girls U18 competition of the Sarawak Schools Sports Council (MSSS) Hockey Championships when they face arch rival Kuching in the final today.
As expected, the tournament favourites Samarahan cruised to an easy 7-0 win over Bintulu in the semi-finals yesterday.
Suhaila Sata started Samarahan’s goal feast when she scored a field goal in the 2nd minute and 17 minutes later, her teammate Shahrulrina Entering etched her name on the score sheet with a goal from a penalty corner.
The score was 2-0 at half-time and Suhaila went on to score three more goals in the 30th minute (field goal), 45th and 48 minutes (penalty corner goals).
The other two goals were scored by Marsiana Sian in the 30th minute (field goal) and Anastasia Runis in the 38th minute via a penalty corner.
Samarahan, comprising mostly of players from SMK Tebakang and the rest from SMK Balai Ringin and SMK Muara Tuang, are coached by Joseph Glundy Galau.
“We are going for the fifth consecutive win in the championships,” he declared after the match.
Pleased with the girls’ performance, Joseph added that they are getting better and better.
“We did not have any centralised training but the girls did play in the Samarahan Inter-District Hockey Championship recently where SMK Tebakang emerged champions,” he said.
He said Samarahan will not be taking Kuching lightly as the final match is always the toughest match to play. Kuching booked their place in today’s final by beating an improved Mukah team 4-1 in the other semi-final.
In the Boys U18 competition, Samarahan boosted their chances of lifting the title when they trounced Betong 7-0 to sit comfortably on the top of the league standings with nine points from three successive wins.
Kuching also posted a big win yesterday, blanking Bintulu 5-0 in another match.
They can also be crowned the champions if they can overcome the challenge of Samarahan in today’s cruncher scheduled at 2pm.
The Boys U12 title will also be decided today when Kuching take on defending champions Sibu in their final league match.
Kuching District Education Officer Dr Sluhi Lamat @ Narawi will close the event and give away the prizes.