KUCHING –“Malaysia” beat “Nigeria” in penalty shootout after drawing 1-1 to lift the Seven-aside Registrar Cup Challenge Trophy at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, recently.
The Malaysia side started rather nervously and was on the defensive in the first half of the match. Due to poor marking by defenders and midfielders the team conceded a goal in the first half although strikers upfront continued to harass the Nigerian goal.
The quick-footed Nigerian side were more settled in the match but poor finishing was their greatest hurdle.
The Malaysians, however, fought back and managed to level the score in the second half through an own goal by a Nigerian defender after a free kick was given to the Malaysian side.
Drawn at 1-1 at full time, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. It was here that the Malaysian players showed more confidence although a shot sailed over the crossbar.
But after two Nigerian penalty shots went wide, it was celebration time for the Malaysian side. Nigeria had to settle for second place.
The Rest of the World, a team made up of students from several African countries, was third after knocking out “Pakistan” 2-1. Both teams put up a good fight and Pakistan shocked the Africans when they hit home the first goal of the match. However the robust Rest of the World players fought back and at the final whistle Pakistan was one goal down.
A total of 13 teams from 11 countries competed in the tournament, organised by the university for the second time.
The Registrar and Director of Swinburne Sarawak’s Student Operations Division, Haji Hussain Taiban who watched the finals, said that the tournament will be made an annual event.
“More attractive prizes will be up for grabs next year and we look forward to an even more exciting tournament,” he said, adding that competitions such as this help to foster goodwill among students and give them something to look forward to be as participants or cheering on their friends.