Malaysian hockey team celebrates after winning the final against Singapore at Sengkang Hockey Stadium. - IZZRAFIQ ALIAS / The Star
SINGAPORE: Malaysia edged Singapore by the skin of their teeth to retain the SEA Games men’s hockey gold medal.
Both teams were tied 2-2 in regulation time, forcing the tie to be decided on a penalty shootout at the Sengkang Hockey Stadium. And Malaysia can thank their lucky stars for triumphing 4-3.
The Malaysian team, represented by the National Juniors, led 2-0 with penalty corner goals by Aminuddin Mohd Zain (14th) and Mohd Azwar Abdul Rahman (45th).
But Singapore, who lost 4-1 to Malaysia in the round-robin match, hit back through Hafiz Abdul Rasheed (51st) and Timothy Goh (70th) to force the match into a shootout.
Nor Azrul Abdul Rahman netted the winner from the shootout to clinch Malaysia’s gold No. 45 in the Singapore Games. Nik Rozemi Aiman, Arshan Hamsani and Najmi Farizal Jazlan converted the other goals for Malaysia in the shootout.
Noor Silas, Farhan Kamsani and Sabri Yuhari scored from the shootout for Singapore.
