Sepanggar HC emerge triumphant in KK Hockey League
KOTA KINABALU: Sepanggar HC were crowned champions in the Kota Kinabalu Hockey League over the weekend.
The victory at the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex hockey field near here did not come easy as Sepanggar HC were stretched all the way into the penalty shootout before prevailing 2-1 against SMK Likas.
The match had ended 2-2 in regulation time and extra time.
In fact, SMK Likas were the favourites after leading 2-0 in the first half courtesy of goals from M. Fazil in the 14th and M. Daniel Firdaus seven minutes later.
Sepanggar HC launched a comeback with Jeaner pulling a goal back in the 41st minute before Eslebester equalised in the 44th minute and never looked back.
The champions took home RM500 prize money whole also lifting the Tuaran Hockey President (sponsor) Cup plus medals and certificates while the runner-up settled for RM300, trophy, medals and certificates.
In the third place playoff, UMS Adler clinched a 5-1 win over Kota Marudu. Both teams received RM200 each plus medals and certificates.
For the record, the league which started last month was contested by eight teams with the rest of them including SSMS Jr, Gaya, PERHUIS, and PHD Tuaran who finished fifth to eighth respectively.
Abdul Khaliq Hamirin from SMK Likas was named as the league’s Best Player while Gaya walked home with the Fair Play award.
Meanwhile, Kota Kinabalu Hockey Association (KKHA) president Dedi Saputra Mohd Rasyid said the tournament had been a success in their first attempt at staging such a competition.
“There are some setbacks but we will try to make it better next time around such as getting more teams to compete, thus making it more competitive,” he said, while hoping for sponsors to help out in their efforts to further promote and develop the sport here.
Towards this end, Dedi expressed thanks to Tuaran District Hockey Association president Datin Zuriani Jumai to sponsor the tournament.