The victorious Kuching Boys U18 posing for a group photograph after the prize presentation.
KUCHING: Kuching emerged as the Boys U18 champions of the Sarawak Schools Sports Council Hockey Championship yesterday after they thrashed Sibu 4-1 in the final at the Sarawak Astroturf Hockey Stadium at Jalan Padungan.
The home team gained a steady 2-0 lead in the first half and were dominating the game before scoring another goal in the second half.
Shortly after that, Sibu replied with a goal through a penalty corner but wasted two precious goal opportunities through penalty corners.
Kuching sealed the victory with the fourth goal through a penalty corner several minutes before full-time.
In a lop-sided Girls U18 final, Samarahan thumped Bintulu 5-0 to clinch the title.
Sibu won the Boys U12 title after they beat Samarahan 1-0 through a field goal.
They completed a double when they won the Girls U12 title after topping the group with 10 points based on league format, having won three matches and drew one.
Bintulu pipped Kuching to the first runners-up spot on a goal difference after both teams collected a similar seven points.
Moreover, Bintulu had beaten Kuching 2-0 in the final league game yesterday and scored seven goals against two conceded while Kuching scored six goals but conceded three.
Kuching District Education Officer Dr Sluhi Lamat, who closed the event, said local players must use the tournament as a platform to shine because outstanding players will be selected to represent the state in the MSSM championship.
“Therefore, four important skills are important and the players must be driven hard to be at their best,” he said.
Sluhi added that apart from being disciplined, teams must be able to work together and collaborate to achieve their goals.
“At the same time, each player must be good in decision making and creative in game play,” he said.