Courtesy: New Straits Times


NPC-GAB INTER-MEDIA CHAMPIONSHIPS: NST's men and women make it a double

A CHAPTER in the New Straits Times' sporting history was written when its teams swept both the men's and women's titles in the NPC-GAB Inter-media Futsal Championships 2008 at the Sports Barn in Petaling Jaya yesterday.

The NST 'B' team were lucky to make it through to the quarter-finals from Group D based on goal difference, despite losing to Malaysia Nanban and The Star, but made up for it with impressive displays in the knockout stages. NST 'B' beat Berita Harian 4-1 in the quarter-finals, then Bernama 5-2 in the semis before exacting a 3-2 defeat on Malaysia Nanban in an intense final.

NST 'B' player Mohd Shahir Othman also took home the Player of the Tournament award, with S. Kumaran of Malaysia Nanban emerging top scorer with 16 goals. Abdul Rahim Hadi, also of NST 'B' was named goalkeeper of the tournament, while they also bagged the fairplay award.

The NST 'A' team topped Group B in the preliminaries but were knocked out by Bernama in the quarter-finals.

At the other end, NST's women were the surprise package, taking home the title with a hard-earned 1-0 victory over favourites Harian Metro in the final of the inaugural women's tournament, which saw Astro Awani finish third, Bernama fourth and China Press fifth.

NST also bagged the Player of the Tournament award through Jasmine Shadique, while their striker Sharifah Omar emerged top scorer with eight goals in five matches. Harian Metro goalkeeper Sri Ayu Kartikawati Amri was named best goalkeeper of the tournament, while her team also took home the fairplay award.

An emotional NST women's team manager, Ridzwan Abdullah said the victory was never expected since most of his players only took up futsal two weeks prior to the tournament.

"The girls played to our planned tactics and were very disciplined. I told them prior to the tournament that this would only be for experience as we plan to maintain a team for future inter-media tournaments. But they proved me so wrong," said Ridzwan.

A total of 16 men's and five women's teams competed in the tournament which offered RM14,500 in total prizemoney, along with other prizes from Figos and Milo. Guiness Anchor Berhad was the title sponsor for the annual event for the second year running, while Sports Unite were key partners for the futsal tournament for the first time. Other sponsors included 100 Plus and Herbalife.





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