Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) Thunderbolt defeated Kuala Lumpur Wipers 2-1 to clinch the inaugural Malaysian Junior Women’s Hockey League at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil today.
The stage was set as both finalists were unbeaten going into the final.
Both sides started the match on a cautious note until the 18th minute when SSTMI struck first through Liyana Aqilah’s field goal. The goal triggered SSTMI’s confidence as they continued pressuring KL Wipers’ defence with a barrage of attacks.
After the interval, KL Wipers began to play with more urgency and were rewarded with the equaliser when Nurrobiatun Norhisham deflected a penalty corner into goal in the 56th minute. That was only the second goal SSTMI conceded throughout the tournament.
Unfortunately, KL Wipers could not build on this momentum and their joy only lasted two minutes as Khairunnajwa Khairuddin restored SSTMI’s lead through a penalty corner rebound.
SSTMI held on to their 2-1 lead until the final whistle to jubilant celebrations from coaches and fans.
SSTMI Thunderbolt bagged RM 15,000 as overall champions and KL Wipers received RM 10, 000. Earlier in the 3rd and 4th placing play off, MSN Kedah/MSN Kedah staged a thrilling comeback from 2-0 down to win 4-2 against Sabah Sports School.
Sabah Sports School took a two-goal lead through Efa Eliester (9th minute) and Nur Sabrinah (24th minute) before MSN Kedah/MSS Kedah clawed back through Paveena Vichit’s brace (30th & 34th) and goals from Nur Afiqah Syahzani (42nd) and Nurlyana Soberi (46th) to come out 4-2 victors.
MSN Kedah/MSS Kedah received RM7, 500 while Sabah Sports School took home RM5, 000.
ROLL OF HONOUR:
Champions: Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) Thunderbolt
Runners-up: Kuala Lumpur Wipers
Fairplay: Sekolah Sukan Negeri Johor (SSNJ) SMK Tun Hussein Onn
Player of the Tournament: Ellya Syahirah Ellias (SSTMI Thunderbolt)
Best Goalkeeper: Aina Nadiah Fadzil (SSTMI Thunderbolt)
Top Scorer: Nur Afiqah Syahzani Azhar (MSN Kedah/MSS Kedah)
Player of the Match: Nor Syakirah Mohd. Quari (SSTMI Thunderbolt)
Third: MSN Kedah/MSS Kedah
Fourth: Sabah Sports School
RESULTS – Sunday (April 10) –Final: SSTMI Thunderbolt 2 Kuala Lumpur Wipers 1; 3rd-4th Placing: MSN Kedah/MSS Kedah 4 Sekolah Sukan Malaysia Sabah 2.
