Perak men’s and Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) women’s teams signed off the 2024 National Hockey5s Championships on a triumphant note in the final at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jali.
The Silver State grinded out a 4-1 victory over defending champion Pahang to win the men’s title in their maiden participation in this third edition of the series. PDRM, meanwhile, asserted constant pressure on the Kuala Lumpur City women’s team en route to a 3-1 win to lift the trophy.
In the final of the 2023 men’s edition, Pahang won the shootout 2-0 against Armed Forces (ATM) after a 3-3 draw in regulation time.
Mohamad Ashran Hamsani scored two goals (3rd and 13th minutes), Azilmuizzuddin Misron (12th) and Muhamad Fahmi Khalid (14th) added one each to give Perak a commanding 4-0 lead. Pahang pulled back a goal through Shafiq Ikhmal Daniel in the 15th minute from open play.
Perak coach Muhammad Husaini Mohd Husin, said: “I am excited with this victory. This is the first time we are competing and credit to the players for making it a memorable outing for the team.”
“Winning the trophy was not an easy feat. Some of our players were still recovering from mild injuries but they stayed on and gave their best performance in the final. The Pahang players are well prepared for Hockey 5s competitions but today we dominated the game,” he added.
In the playoff for the bronze medal, Perlis eked out a 3-2 win over Malacca in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw in regulation time.
Former national players Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin, Mohammad Syawal Najmi and Muhammad Amirul Azhar scored for Perlis in the shootout while Malacca’s goal came through Dedy Ariyadi Jumaidi and Muhammad Muhibuddin Moharam.
Meanwhile, in the women’s final, PDR, led by several former and current national players, took the lead through Wan Norfaieizah Md Saiuti with a third minute field goal and extended the score to 2-0 in the 11th minute in similar style.
The city team, however, responded with a penalty corner conversion goal in the very next minute through Nur Zafirah Aziz to close the gap at 2-1. PDRM’s Norazlin Sumantri took the initiative to score the third goal in the 18th minute as the Blue Warriors went on to claim a 3-1 victory and the title.
“Last year we finished second from the bottom and were the underdogs in this edition. This victory came as a complete surprise to us. We started on the right path by winning matches,” said PDRM team captain Noor Hasliza Md Said, who received the Player of the Final award.
ROLL OF HONOUR (Men):
Champion: Perak
Runner-up: Pahang
Third: Perlis
Top Scorer: Mohamad Akhimullah Anwar Esook – 24 Goals (Terengganu)
Player of the Final: Mohamad Ashran Hamsani (Perak)
Best Goalkeeper: Adrian Andy Albert (Perak)
Best Player of the Tournament: Muhammad Najmi Farizal Jazlan (Perlis)
Fair Play: Terengganu
ROLL OF HONOUR (Women):
Champion: Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM)
Runners-up: Kuala Lumpur
Third: Penang
Top Scorer: Nur Zafirah Aziz (Kuala Lumpur – 20 Goals)
Player of the Final: Noor Hazliza Md Ali (PDRM)
Best Goalkeeper: Siti Noor Hafiza Zainordin (PDRM)
Best Player of the Tournament: Dian Nursyakira Najwa (Perak)
Fair Play: Malacca