Fitri’s Three-Goal Blitz Destroys Perak

Terengganu, Johor, Pahang, Kuala Lumpur and Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) delivered energetic performances today in the TNB Tun Abdul Razak Cup 2024 at the Johor Hockey Stadium, Taman Daya, Johor Bahru.

Led by Speedy Tigers’ mercurial goal poachers – the Saari brothers, Faizal and Fitri, and several other senior national team players, Terengganu bounced back from a 2-4 deficit to pull off a sensational 6-5 victory against Perak.

Forward Muhammad Azrai Aizad kept the silver state ahead three minutes into the match with a field goal but Terengganu roared back to restore parity through Faizal in the sixth minute via his signature penalty corner conversion goals.

Perak, champions 13 times since the tournament was inaugurated in 1963, again went ahead 2-1 in the 17^th minute, courtesy of Syed Izzul Akmal’s field goal, but their joy did not last long. Midfielder Mohamad Akhimullah Anuar Esook levelled the score at 2-2 with a field goal seconds before the end of the first half buzzer.

There were more opportunities for Perak. Aiman Safwan and Azrai extended Perak’s lead to 4-2 with field goals in the 39^th and 42^nd minutes.

Terengganu dominated the fourth quarter and quickly went 5-4 ahead following a three-goal blitz from Fitri within the space of seven minutes. Fitri scored in the 47^th, 53^rd and 54^th minutes. Perak clawed back with the fifth goal in the 59^th minute through Lugman Hakimi. Perak 5 Terengganu 5.

The evening, however, belonged to Muhammad Firdaus Hakimi who struck the winning goal for Terengganu just moments before the end of regulation time.

Terengganu top the Group B table standings with nine points, three ahead of Perak. Negeri Sembilan climbed to third spot following a 2-2 draw against Malacca while the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) won their first three points after two matches with an emphatic 7-1 win over Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) to go in fourth spot.

ATM scorers were Alif Mustakhim Mat Yazid (9^th, 12^th), Muhammad Johari Sani (3^rd), Muhammad Faisol Rohizan (7^th), Muhamad Nazrey Din (23rd), Azrin Azman (44^th), Muhammad Johari (51^st), and Mohamad Sufian Marson (60^th). PDRM’s consolation goal was scored by Muhammad Ashraf Zuhry (41^st).

In Group A matches, Johor continued their winning run following a 4-0 victory against Selangor. The host had earlier defeated Perlis 3-1, and Penang 3-0 to go second in the table standings behind leader Pahang despite sharing nine equal points.

Johor scorers were Alfarico Lance Liao (5^th), Abdul Hamzah Yahkip (8^th), Rahul Hrsekisa (43^rd) and Muhammad Faris Ros Abdullah (52^nd).

Pahang edged Penang 3-2 in a hotly contested encounter while Kuala Lumpur registered a 2-0 win against Perlis.

Pahang came back from a 1-2 deficit to beat Penang 3-2 with late goals from Muhamad Noor Firdaus (56^th) and Muhammad Arif Shafie’s 59^th minute penalty corner conversion. Pahang had earlier taken the lead through Muhammad Nor Daniel (20^th) before Eswaran George levelled it 1-1 in the 24^th minute and Muhammad Amirul Hamizan extended it to 2-1 from a penalty stroke in the 36^th minute.