KUALA LUMPUR (28 SEPTEMBER 2019): Melaka dethroned Johor 3-1 to become the new TNB Razak Cup 2019 Division One champions at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Saturday.
Melaka opened the scoring in the 18th minute through Luqman Nurhakim Saiful in the 18th minute after a fine buildup play from their midfield force.
Muhammad Muhibuddin Moharam then doubled Melaka’s lead in the 34th minute before Shello Silverius contributed a consolation goal for Johor at the end of the third quarter through a penalty stroke.
Melaka then added another goal through Amirullah Zainol in the 53rd minute to obtain the title they last won in 2015.
“I am very pleased with the performance of the players; they were able to execute the strategies tactics that we have planned before this match
“We lined up 8 players from the SUKMA squad and this is their preliminary exposure for next year’s tournament. We also encouraged our players to examine Johor’s game pattern from their previous matches to identify their strengths in the penalty shootout,” said Melaka coach Azrul Effendy Bistamam.
Being the champion, Melaka took home the trophy along with RM10,000 in cash.
In the third and fourth Division 1 classification match, Terengganu recovered from two goals behind to secure a 3-2 victory over Kuala Lumpur thanks to goals from Mohd Shahrun Nabil Abdullah, Mohamad Shazwi Ramli and Syarman Mat Tee.
Meanwhile, Perlis won this year’s Division 2 title after overcoming Selangor in a 2-1 victory.
Selangor broke the deadlock in the third minute through Muhammad Fikri Amer Runnizar but Prakash Subramaniam’s side failed to execute several match winning chances in the later parts of the match.
As a result, Perlis finished off the game with two late goals from Najmi Farizal Jazlan hence acquiring the title.
Najmi also excelled after being selected as the best player in the finals while finishing this season’s campaign as the top scorer with 12 goals.
The women’s category witnessed Selangor obtaining the title after defeating the defending champions Kuala Lumpur 1-0.
The match’s only goal arrived in the 11th minute through Nur Farah Hanis Azharuddin. This victory has lifted Selagor’s spirits to overcome the disappointment which they faced in last year’s edition.
Meanwhile PDRM outscored ATM 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out during the women’s classification match after they were tied 3-3 in 60 minutes of play.
Division 1 (Men)
Champion: Melaka
1st Runner Up: Johor
2nd Runner Up: Terengganu
Best player: Mohammad Ridzwan Azmi (Melaka)
Top Scorer: Mohamad Akhimullah Anuar Esook (Terengganu), Mohamad Syamin Mohd Yusof (KL), Shello Silverius (Johor) – 6 Goals
Fairplay: Melaka
Division 2 (Men)
Champion: Perlis
1st Runner Up: Selangor
2nd Runner Up: ATM
Best player: Najmi Farizal Jazlan (Perlis)
Top Scorer: Najmi Farizal Jazlan (Perlis) – 12 Goals
Fairplay: Negeri Sembilan
Women’s Category
Champion: Selangor
1st Runner Up: Kuala Lumpur
2nd Runner Up: PDRM
Best Player: Nurul Safiqah Mat Isa (Selangor)
Top Scorer: Nuraini Abdul Rashid (Johor) – 4 Goals
Fairplay: Selangor
