Champs Terengganu held by Penang in opener
IPOH: Defending champions Terengganu survived a late fightback from Penang to share points after a 4-4 draw in their opening Division One match of the Razak Cup hockey tournament at the Azlan Shah Stadium.
The Group A match was a drab affair in the first three quarters with Terengganu leading 4-1 by the 54th minute. But Penang staged a remarkable comeback with three quick goals to secure a point.
Penang coach S. Prakash was full of praise for his players.
“It was a tremendous effort. Our players never gave up and fought till the end. I am pleased that the players are able to give such a performance and we hope to build on this display,” said Prakash.
Terengganu took the lead in the 26th minute through a field goal by Faizal Saari. Shahrin Mohamed then doubled the tally in the 37th minute.
Penang only managed to reduce their deficit in the 52nd minute through Mohamed Haikal Abdul Mutalib. But the east coast side surged further ahead with strikes by Shahrin in the 53rd minute and Nik Mohamed Aiman Nik Rozemi in the 54th minute.
It seemed like Terengganu were coasting to an easy win. But Penang netted three goals in five minutes, starting with Mohamed Haikal in the 55th minute. Muhammad Rashid Baharom then made it 4-3 a minute later with a field goal.
Haikal completed his hattrick and Penang’s equaliser by firing home a penalty corner in the 60th minute.
Terengganu coach Sarjit Singh flayed his defenders for the silly mistakes late in the game.
“We should have won considering that we were leading 4-1. But we gave away unnecessary penalty corners. Penang fought all the way and deserved credit for taking a point off us.
“I hope my players will learn from this and we should be thank- ful that we didn’t lose the match,” said Sarjit.
The other Group A match also ended in a draw with 19-time champions Kuala Lumpur being held to 2-2 by Melaka.
In Division Two, former champions Pahang kicked off their campaign in style by whipping Kelantan 6-1 in Group A.
Mohamed Hafiz Ismail scored a hattrick for Pahang. Mohamed Johari Sani, Mohamed Sybrie Shamsuddin and Mohamed Fakhri Ardillah added the other goals.
Kelantan’s consolation goal was scored by Mohamed Hanif Zahidi.