KUALA LUMPUR: Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) qualified for both the boys Under-17 and girls Under-14 finals of the inaugural Mirnawan Cup at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
SSTMI boys beat Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) 5-0 and will meet Japan in the final.
SSTMI girls beat NHDP East 4-1 and will square off against Sports Odisha from India for the title.
SSTMI boys coach Wan Roslan Rahman said: "I knew Japan were a strong side the moment I laid eyes on them during their first match itself, as all their players had strong basics and ball control.
"The Mirnawan Cup final will be a challenging encounter, but we will plan to keep the trophy in Malaysia," said Wan Roslan.
SSTMI, BJSS and Sabah Sports School are diluted sides in the Mirnawan Cup as they had released six, seven and six players respectively for the recent Gryphon Cup in Perth. The combined team played under the Malaysia Sports School banner and won silver Down Under.
RESULTS:
Boys Under-17: Semi-finals: SSTMI 5 BJSS 0, Japan 4 Sports Odisha 1.
Girls' Under-14: Semi-finals: Sports Odisha 3 NHDP North 0, NHDP East 1 SSTMI girls 4