Nur Insafi and Police closer to final
March 9, 2017
Malaysia one match from Round 2 title
March 13, 2017
Kuala Lumpur (10 March, 2017): Nur Insafi and Royal Malaysian Police will feature in the final of the TNBMHL 2017 President Cup on Sunday at the Tun Razak Hockey Stadium.
Police, who took a three-goal lead going into the second-leg semi-finals today following a 6-3 triumph over Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM-KPT) in the first-leg encounter on Wednesday, lost 2-4 but advanced to the final 8-7 on aggregate.
UPM-KPT forward Amir Zulkarnain Ahmad Robangi scored in the second, 47th, 54th and 60th minutes whilst Police replied in the fourth and 55th minutes respectively through Muhamad Rahimi Iskandar Baharom and team captain Baljit Sing Sarjab.
It was Baljit’s 22nd goal in the Division One league, making him the tournament’s top scorer.
Police team manager, ACP S. Batumalai, observed: “We are truly excited to be in the final of the President Cup on Sunday and expect a tough match against Nur Insafi having also earned a ticket to play in the Premier League next year. It’s been a good season for us.”
However, a dejected UPM-KPT head coach, Azlansaufi Ahmad Supian, said he had instructed his players not to give away too many goals against Police as they chase a three-goal deficit but their plans went awry.
“We needed to score four goals today to win this match and Amir did well to do it. But I am very sad and disappointed we did not make the final and lost out by a single goal,” said Azlansaufi. “It was a great comeback from my players and I am heartbroken.”
Penang-based Nur Insafi thrashed RMAF Rajawali 7-0 in the second-leg semi-finals today played at the Tun Razak Stadium and qualified for Sunday’s final 13-2 on aggregate. Nur Insafi won 6-2 in the first-leg.
Muhammad Ateeq, Muhammad Bilal Qadir and Nur Hrsikesa Thaitchana Muruthi scored a double whilst Aamir Shahzad added the seventh goal.
Meanwhile, Terengganu Ladies Hockey Team (TLHT) and Police also advanced into Sunday’s final for the Vivian May Soars Cup.
In the second-leg semi-finals played today, Police edged PKS-Uniten-KPT 3-1 in penalty shootout after the match ended 1-1 in regulation time at the Ministry of Education ground on Jalan Pantai.
TLHT, led by 10 national senior squad players, were far more adventurous as they outclassed Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) 5-2 in the return leg after posting a 6-0 victory on Wednesday. They qualified 13-2 on aggregate.
Results – President Cup Second-leg Semi-finals: UPM-KPT 4 Police 2 (Police won 8-7 on aggregate); RMAF Rajawali 0 Nur Insafi 7 (Nur Insafi won 13-2 on aggregate).
Vivian May Soars Cup – Second-Leg Semi-Finals: PKS-Uniten-KPT 1 Blue Warriors 1 (Police won 3-1 in penalty shootout); Terengganu Ladies Hockey Team 5 Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School 2 (TLHT won 11-2 on aggregate).
Final (12 March): Vivian May Soars Cup: Police v Terengganu Ladies Hockey Team (6pm, Tun Razak Stadium).
President Cup: Police v Nur Insafi (8pm, Tun Razak Stadium).
