Double delight for Pahang as boys and girls rule
KUALA LUMPUR: It was a double delight for Pahang as they won both the boys’ and girls’ titles in the MHC-1MAS-Milo-KPM National Under-14 hockey championships.
In the boys’ final, Pahang edged Johor 5-4 in the sudden-death penalty shootout after both teams failed to break the 1-1 deadlock in regulation time.
It was the second success for Pahang as they were the winners in 2014.
The girls’ final between Pahang and Malacca also ended in a 1-1 draw after full time. The east coast side emerged champions for the first time when they edged Malacca 3-1 in the penalty shootout.
The boys’ final match started at 6pm but was abandoned after 10 minutes of play due to lightning and a heavy downpour.
The match resumed 30 minutes later and Muhammad Hafiz Fikri Zali gave Malacca the lead by blasting home from the top of the D in the 23rd minute.
But seven minutes later, Pahang equalised through Najja Muddin Abdullah Samuri from close range.
Both Pahang and Malacca again failed to get the better of each other, tying 3-3 in the first five mandatory penalties.
In the sudden-death shootout, Muhd Syamin Naim Abdul Hamid and Wan Muhd Najmie Ahmad converted for Pahang. Alfarico Lance Liau Jr scored for Johor but Jayson Mohd Shazlan Jainol failed in his attempt.
Pahang boys’ coach Mohd Sufian Mohamad said it was a great achievement for the state to win both the crowns.
“We created history by bagging a grand double.
“It’s a good boost to our junior development programme. We will now focus on the National Under-16 tournament in Sabah in March,” said Sufian.
In the girls’ final, Nur Syazwani Zakaria gave Pahang the lead in the 46th minute. But their joy was shortlived as Noor Syahidah Mohd Said equalised two minutes later for Malacca.
Che Wan Nurzulaikha Che Wan Mohd, Nurul Fatin Fatiah Azman and Nur Syazwani Zakaria scored for Pahang in the shootout.
Malacca only managed to convert one through Noor Syahidah.
Pahang coach Mohamad Sabri Mohamad said they should have sealed the match in regulation time.
“We wasted a number of chances but I’m delighted that we did well in the penalty shootout to lift our first ever title in the tournament,” said Sabri.