Courtesy: New Straits Times


MMU out to stop UiTM

12 October 2012

by T.N. Alagesh

STRENGTHENED by the inclusion of three African players, Multimedia University (MMU) will be aiming to prevent defending champions Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) from completing a treble at the grand finals of the Higher Education Minister's Cup futsal tournament in Kuantan this week.

UiTM, who emerged champions in the last two editions, are strong favourites to walk away with the title again. However, MMU team manager Faizal Md So'od believes his side hold the advantage this year, especially with the presence of the two Nigerians and an attacking player from Eritrea.

"The grand finals will be another level of futsal and teams here will be eyeing to play in the final. Our ultimate aim is to end UiTM's two-year domination.

"My boys are prepared to challenge UiTM for the title especially after three of our players finished in the top three bracket in the top scorers chart. We trained hard and I believe we can progress," said Faizal, who added that the team will be banking on Mohamed Hassen Mohamed Seed and Abubakar Sadeeq Yahaya to get the goals. But confident UiTM team manager Ezwan Othman said his players have set the title as their target but were aware that many teams were trying hard to deny them.

Ezwan, who led the team to the overall title last year, said the UiTM side, with the presence of several national players, have gained vast experience playing with their respective state teams in the national futsal league and this was a key factor for their impressive performance in the tournament.

He reckoned MMU and Kolej Komuniti Selangor (KK Selangor), last year's losing finalists, as tough opponents whom they will most likely face in the knockout stage. In the women's category, Universiti Malaya (UM) will face an uphill task to top the group after they were drawn alongside UiTM, who beat them in last year's final.

Sixteen men's and eight women's teams will be battling for total prize money of RM57,000 at the International Islamic University Malaysia (Kuantan Campus).






Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com