Perak outlasted defending champion Terengganu 3-2 to win the Division One title of the Tun Abdul Razak Cup Hockey Tournament 2017 at Stadium Azlan Shah, Ipoh on Sunday, November 12.
Both teams could have taken an early lead via three penalty corners in the first quarter.
Perak opened accounts in the 30th minute when Mohamed Najib Abu Hassan netted a goal passed a bewildered Terengganu’s goalkeeper, Muhammad Hafizuddin Othman.
Terengganu doubled their effort in the third quarter. They got the equaliser when national forward, Faizal Saari, converted a penalty corner in the 35th minute.
Faizal almost put the visiting team a goal up a few seconds before the end of the third quarter. However, Perak’s goalkeeper Roslan Jamaluddin blunted all his attempts.
Perak subsequent forays into their opponent’s half paid dividend when Mohamed Hariq Shamsul’s field goal in the 53rd minute put the home side a goal ahead at 2-1.
Three minutes after this goal, Terengganu equalised once again when Faizal Saari’s drag flick from a penalty corner found the net in the 56th minute.
One minute before the whistle blow, Hafifihafiz Hanafi scored Perak’s winning goal through a penalty corner. A close call indeed for Perak who lifted the title for the eight time. Terengganu were champion in 2012 and 2016.
Perak bagged the RM10,000 prize money for winning the title while Terengganu took the RM7000 for coming second best.
Malacca took third spot defeating Negeri Sembilan by a solitary goal (1-0).
In Division Two final, Perlis edged Selangor 2-0 to emerge champion thus gaining a promotion to Division One.
RESULTS:
DIVISION ONE:
FINAL: PERAK 3 TERENGGANU 2.
THIRD PLACING: MELAKA 1 NEGERI SEMBILAN 0.
Individual Awards:
BEST PLAYER: Mohamed Marhan Mohamed Jalil (Negeri Sembilan)
BEST GOALKEEPER: S. Kumar (Negeri Sembilan).
TOP SCORER: Faizal Saari (Terengganu) 9 goals.
MAN OF THE MATCH (FINAL): Mohamed Haziq Samsul (Perak).
FAIRPLAY THROPHY: Negeri Sembilan.
DIVISION TWO:
FINAL: PERLIS 2 SELANGOR 0.
THIRD PLACING: ARMED FORCES 4 PAHANG 3.
Individual Awards:
BEST PLAYER: Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin (Perlis).
BEST GOALKEEPER: Faizal Aziz (Perlis).
TOP SCORER: Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin (Perlis) 7 goals.
MAN OF THE MATCH (FINAL): Azhad Akmal Mohamed Fahmi (Perlis).
FAIRPLAY THROPHY: Armed Forces.
Nabilah Hamudin
