The knockout blow
Champs Terengganu beat KLHC with late goal to enter semis
KUALA LUMPUR: Double champions Terengganu exacted sweet revenge on arch-rivals Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) 3-2 to seal a place in the semi-finals of the Tan Sri P. Alagendra Knockout Trophy tournament.
The East coast team, who were beaten 2-1 by KLHC in the Charity Shield match on Aug 19, played to their true form and made use of the chances well.
It was the first defeat for KLHC in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL).
Hosts Terengganu started off well by taking a 2-0 lead in the first 26th minutes at the Batu Buruk Hockey Stadium.
South Korean Kim Jung-hoo scored off a field goal in the 15th minute and 11 minutes later Mohd Fitri Saari doubled the score off a penalty corner.
But the visitors stormed back with two goals in two minutes. Nam Hyun-woo reduced the deficit with a penalty corner goal in the 39th minute.
Two minutes later, Pakistan’s Muhammad Umar Bhutta equalised off a field goal.
But South Korean Jang Jong-hyun had the last say, netting the winner in the 56th minute off a penalty corner.
Terengganu coach Sarjit Singh was relieved with the close win.
“It was a morale-boosting win for us. It also feels good to reach the last four,” said Sarjit.
“Although my players put up a good fight I’m not happy with the defenders’ loose marking. We need to rectify this.”
The draw for the semi-finals will be conducted tomorrow and the matches played on Sept 6.
KLHC team manager Ahmad Anuar Sham Kamar said they played well but luck deserted them.
“We were unlucky. We will now concentrate on the league,” said Ahmad.
Tenaga Nasional also sealed their place in the semi-finals by edging Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) 3-2 at the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Stadium.
Syed Mohamad Syafiq Syed Cholan netted a brace for Tenaga in the third and 57th minutes. Nik Mohammad Aiman Nik Rozemi (53rd) contributed the other goal.
Abdul Khaliq Hamirin (51st) and Muhd Najmi Farizal Jazlan (55th) were the scorers for UniKL.
Tenaga coach Mohd Amin Rahim was not jumping for joy despite reaching the last four.
“My players played like schoolboys making too many errors in the game. Every time we take a lead we let in a goal,” said Amin.
UniKL coach A. Arulselvaraj was definitely not happy at all.
“We were poor in defence and missed the presence of Baljit Singh, who is injured.
“Our failure to finish off our chances put paid to our hopes of progressing,” lamented Arulselvaraj.
Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) were the first team to book their berth when they won 3-0 on penalties against Politeknik after both teams were locked at 1-1 in regulation time.