Perak defeat Terengganu to lift National Schools Hockey Championships title: Hockey Recap
In an unexpected move, Perak emerged victorious over Terengganu in the finals, to capture the title of the National Boys Under-18 National Schools Hockey Championship played at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium, in Johor Bahru, on June 05. Despite the fact they
were not at their best, but they displayed impressive performance in the finals and won the game by two goals, 3-1.
With the triumph, the Perak team succeeded to break the dearth of last seven years, as they had been lastly crowned in 2004. Though the Perak team qualified for the finals last year, they lost to Kuala Lumpur in the title-claiming fight by straight three
goals 3-0.
Mohd Nizam Mohd Hashim, the coach of the Perak side declared the title as sweeter-reward, as they thrashed the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club by five goals in the knock-out stage and outclassed in the race of medals.
Talking to the media after the great victory, the Perak's coach said, “Yes, we are returning home with the title this year but knocking out KL in the semis was sweeter. It was sweet revenge.”
The coach further stated that they were not at their best in the finals against Terengganu. However, they accomplished their mission for what they came to Johor Bahru. In his views, the players have been tired after the crucial semi-final played against
Kuala Lumpur.
Muhamad Fitri Ismail was at his best in the last two game and played vital role in the victories. He was the person, who converted four short-corners in the semi-final against Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club during the semi-finals.
In the finals, the two teams started the game in quite a professional way and carried out back to back attacks against each other. However, it was Perak who drew the first blood in the 23rd minute of the match when Fitri Ismail scored a goal and
put his team ahead onto the scoreboard. However, it was the only offence from the two sides in the first half.
Both the teams gathered pace in the second half and started a more aggressive style of play. Mohamad SoffianKamaruddin doubled the tally in the 42nd minute of the game. In a counter-offence, Muhamad Firas Mohd Tarmizi notched a goal to bring his
team into the score-net, but to no avail. In the 56th minute of the match, Muhammad Haziq Shamsul scored a goal from the field effort and expanded the lead up to two goals. As the final horn sounded, Perak won the game and as well the title of the
championship.
Mohd Sabri Salleh, the Manager of the Terengganu team, was of the opinion that though they did not win the game, but being a runner-up was also great reward for them.
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