MIRI: The Miri FA team eased into the play-off round of the Liga Bolasepak Rakyat (LBR) Sarawak Zone to be held in December with a comfortable 3-1 win over Mukah FA at the Miri Stadium in the Group C final round of qualifying matches here Saturday .
Scorers for Miri were Hafiz Ilham (7th min), Suhaimi Zamri (29th min) and Nazrul Husnie (65th min) while Zaid Jahul netted for Mukah in the 84th min.
Speaking to The Borneo Post yesterday Miri head coach Mohd Hakimi Man said he was happy his players stuck to the game plan despite making eight changes in the line-up from their previous game.
The coach was especially pleased with the combination and understanding his three young strikers; Mohd Hafiz Ilham, Suhaimi Zamri and Fairul Hadi.
Hafiz and Suhaimi each scored a goal while Fairul’s speed and strong runs troubled the Mukah defenders.
He also singled out Mohd Nazrul Husni who replaced Mohd Hafiz in the second half and scored a goal.
“It is important that all team members understand that in this early round, the demand of pattern of play is high and require us to focus throughout the 90-minute game.”
Mohd Hakimi said qualifying for the play-off round was their main target and winning all the four matches in their group was the icing on the cake
“Now we have to prepare for the ‘play off’ matches.
“It would definitely be harder for us to beat our opponents at the next stage but we are confident in our ability to get through the play-off rounds and are prepared to face any team ,” he added.
Miri FA will face Kuching or Serian (to be determined after their qualifying round this Saturday) in the first play off on Dec 9 and against champion of Group B Sibu here on Dec 23.