Sunday, 23 October 2011 13:01
It lived up to the billing of an epic final as KL Hockey Club cameback from the dead to defeat Tenaga Nasional Berhad 3-2 in a titanic clash at the National Hockey Stadium.
It looked as if KLHC were dead and buried after being down 0-2 in the opening ten minutes but it was the last ten minutes turned the tide for the defending champions.
TNB went into attacking mode from the first whistle and were awarded a penalty corner in the 5th minute which was hotly disputed by the KLHC defenders led by Mohd Razie Abdul Rahim.
And Faisal Saari sent in a thunderous flick into the roof of the net giving KLHC keeper Roslan Jamaluddin no chance whatsoever.
Barely had the cheers in the stands died down that TNB punished the KLHC defence yet again. Amir Farid Ahmad Fuzi eliminated two defenders before cracking in a shot from the top of the semi circle that caught Roslan on the wrong foot.
The TNB strikeforce were on fire as the likes of Faial, Amir and Firhan Ashaari tormented the KLHC defence with Razie losing his composure. And Amir came close twice but was let down by poor finishing.
KLHC slowly crept back into the game and were awarded a penalty corner in the 20th minute but Razie sent his attempt wide.
It was an end to end stuff after that but try as they did KLHC could not find a way past the TNB defence where Mohd Madzli ikmar was outstanding.
KLHC left it late to get back into the match as Mohd Ameerullah scored in the 59th minute. And three minutes later Chua Boon Huat scored from a well worked penalty corner.
Razie Rahim then scored the winner in stoppage time to break the TNB hearts.
