Penang and Kelantan win national schools championships

GEORGE TOWN: Penang had targeted to capture two titles in the national schools football championships in George Town recently, but ended up with only one

.

The hosts were confident of winning the Boys' Under-12 and Under-15 crowns but suffered the heartbreak of losing to Kelantan in the Under-12 final in a penalty shoot-out.

In the Under-15 final against Kuala Lumpur at the George Town City Stadium, Penang's Muhammad Asyraf Zainol's 22nd minute strike was enough to make them champions.

The topic of the day was the Under-12 final between Kelantan and Penang at the Penang Free School ground. Penang, clearly the better team, lost.
 

Penang's Under-15 coach Azhar Abdul Rahman said of the present squad, eight players are still eligible for next year's competition.

"Normally we will have two teams in each age-group category, so with the eight experienced players and a few from the other team, there will be a more formidable team next year.

"I can safely say that Penang should be able to retain the title next year."

Azhar picked twins Muhammad Nazrul Najmi Md Noor and Muhammad Nazrul Naim Md Noor, and brothers Muhammad Firas Asyraaf Zaharul and Muhammad Faiz Akmal Zanarul, and Muhammad Syafiq Rizuan as the players to watch out for.

He said this batch of players, who are mostly from the elite Penang Free School, are disciplined, have great teamwork and perform to instructions.

They are also scoring academically, as evident by their many As in their UPSR examinations.

The coach said many of the boys were offered places at the Bukit Jalil Sports School but they preferred to continue studying locally, especially at Penang Free School, and play football.

He believes that if this team were kept together, the future of Penang football will definitely be bright.