TERENGGANU HT ROAR
East Coast side beat UniKL for TNB Cup crown
TERENGGANU Hockey Team (HT) defeated Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) 2-1 in the TNB Cup final at the Tun Razak Hockey Stadium yesterday. UniKL, handicapped by the absence of their four foreign imports, fought gallantly and even had a penalty corner in the dying seconds to take the match into a shootout, but Najmi Farizal Jazlan’s effort missed the post by mere inches.
Terengganu were powered to the title by their South Korean imports. Jang Jong Hyun scored his 22nd goal of the tournament in the 25th minute, while Jang Man Jae added a second in the 40th minute — both off penalty corners.
Razie Rahim gave UniKL hope with a 44th-minute penalty corner, but they just could not find an equaliser.
Terengganu received RM100,000 as champions, while UniKL earn RM60,000 for their effort.
Despite the loss, UniKL coach Arul Selvaraj saluted his charges who gave their all even though they were left wanting, no thanks to the absence of their four imports.
“My foreign imports were sorely missed in the final, but the players who took over their positions fought gallantly and I am proud of their efforts,” said Arul.
UniKL waited for a release letter from the European Hockey Federation (EHF) to allow their foreign players to play in the final, but it never came.
This ruling saw Dutchmen Valentin Verga, Robert Kemperman and Martijn Havenga, along with top Irish goalkeeper David Harte, being reduced to mere spectators for the final.
“Even though UniKL were short of players, they played their game well and gave us a good fight. As for my players, they never gave up and even though we finished third in the Malaysia Hockey League, we managed to claw back and win the TNB Cup with our pride intact,” said Terengganu HT coach I. Vikneswaran.
In the battle for third place, Tenaga Nasional hammered Maybank 7-2 thanks to
3rd-4rth Placing:
goals from Firhan Ashaari in the 23rd and 45th minutes, Aiman Nik Rozemi (34th), Amirul Hamizan Azahar (39th), Aiman Nik Rozemi (41st), Arif Syafie Ishak (46th) and Amirol Aideed Arshad (54th).
Maybank replied through Hafiizhuddin Zaidi (57th) and Amirrullah Zainol (59th).
Terengganu Hockey Team bt Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) 2-1.
RESULTS — TNB CUP FINAL: