It is a showdown between Selangor and Young Tigress in tomorrow’s final of the 9th TNB Women’s Tun Abdul Razak Cup which will be held at the Johor Hockey Stadium, Taman Daya, Johor Bahru.
Living up to their motto of ‘Dropbox eam Big, Never Quit’, Selangor, champions in 2017, 2019 and 2022, qualified for their sixth final in the last seven editions under the coaching expertise of Ikmal Abdul Jabar, who has been with the team as head coach since 2017. In the 2021 edition, Selangor completed their journey in fifth spot.
In the 2023 edition, the Selangor women lost to Sabah 1-2 in the final at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
In the second semi-final, Lailin Abu Hassan’s Young Tigress, performing like a well-oiled unit, mauled Perak 5-0. Zati Alyani Muhamad Zubir scored a hat-trick (25th, 33rd and 34th minutes) while Siti Nur Irdina (16th) and Nur Iman Adawiyah (32nd) netted one each.
Young Tigress captain Anith Humaira Baharudin, said: “Our structure is much better now that in earlier matches, and today we played an attacking game. We will continue the same momentum against Selangor in the hope of getting positive result.”
Ellya Amanina Ellias converted a penalty corner six minutes into the match to put Selangor 1-0 ahead, Nur Ain Balqis extended the lead to 2-0 two minutes later, Qumyra Allysyia sounded the board in the 35th minute and Soraya Dania sealed the fourth goal in the 39th minute. The last three goals came through open play.
“Our performance was unpredictable in the preliminary round, but we managed to reduce all those shortcomings and today I am happy with the way the players played. We dominated the game from the beginning and did not give Terengganu room to come back,” said Ikmal.
“As for the final, we respect Young Tigress. They are a better side but we will go in and play our game. There will be no pressure on the players. I want them to stay calm and enjoy the game,” he added. An elated team captain Nurul Syafiqah Mat Isa, who last represented the country at the Women’s FIH Series Final in Ireland, said she was equally excited to play in her sixth final.
“We played hard for this victory. The team is overjoyed by this win and we are in the final again. It will be great if we can win the trophy once again,” she said wryly.