THT and Maybank move into final

Kuala Lumpur (9 January, 2017): Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) and Maybank qualified for the final of the second edition of the Tan Sri P. Alagendra Cup Knockout Tournament at the Tun Razak Stadium today.

THT scored an emphatic 7-2 victory over Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) while Maybank defeated Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya (MBJ) 5-1 in the second semi-finals encounter.

Korean Jang Jong Hyun scored a hat-trick; Firhan Ashari nailed a brace while Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Tengku Jalil and Faizal Saari added to KLHC’s misery with field goals. KLHC replied through Muhammad Haziq Samsul and Muhammad Noor Faeez Ibrahim (57th).
The final be played tomorrow (10th January) at the same venue.

However, in a twist of fate, due to low water pressure at the Tun Razak Hockey Stadium caused by a burst pipe in the nearby housing area, the first semi-final tie between Maybank and Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya which was to start at 6pm could not get off as scheduled.

In accordance with International Hockey Federation (FIH) rules, an artificial pitch has to be watered down before the start of every match. However, a request from the stadium officials to the Sri Hartamas Fire and Rescue Department to help solve the problem was well received and a truck with three crew members was dispatched to the scene.

After a two-and-a-half hour wait, the pitch was finally playable but due to the long delay, the THT and KLHC second semi-final match was rescheduled and brought forward instead.

Both teams got off to a cautious start and after 11 minutes into the game, double champions THT broke the humdrum of the evening by scoring a penalty stroke through Jang Jong Hyun but KLHC equalized two minutes later via Muhamad Haziq Samsul from similar fashion.

Sarjit Singh’s THT than went 2-1 ahead just at the start of the second quarter with a Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Tengku Jalil field goal and increased the advantage 4-1 ahead by the 30th and 32nd minutes following a double strike from Jang from penalty corners – taking his personal goal tally in the Tan Sri Alagendra Cup to six goals.

Maybank were all fired up and the Tigers grabbed a 3-0 lead in the first quarter with goals from Mohammad Sybrie Samsuddin (4th, FG), Korean Jang Soon Chan (5th, FG) and Hafifi Hafiz Hanafi (8th, FG).

Hafifi returned in the second half with strikes in the 43rd from a penalty corner and field goal in the 50th minute. MBPJ replied through Mohd Noorshahrezan Mat Jusoh with six minute to the end.