GEORGE TOWN: LADY luck shined on the 17 Predator Universiti Putra Malaysia team when they clinched the 41st Pesta Hoki USM-Penang International 2014 Institution of Higher Learning Men’s category title in their first appearance.
17 Predator UPM defeated Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) 1-0 in extra time after the teams were tied 0-0 at the end of regulation time at the Universiti Sains Malaysia Synthetic Turf Hockey Stadium in Minden recently.
On a solo run from the left flank, Mohamad Ikhwan Awang Abas squeezed through two opponents to sound the board three minutes into sudden death extra time to help 17 Predator UPM win the title.
Manager Nuranis Syfailie Mohd Samsuddin said they had not targeted to win but had just hoped for the best because the team were assembled about a month ago and trained whenever they could due to classes.
“All my players are hockey diehards and had played for their schools and associations at various levels before entering UPM.
“We gathered them and polished their team work and it worked perfectly. This is our first competition and we are lucky to take home the trophy,” she said.
Nuranis said 17 Predator is a college by itself and a subsidiary of Universiti Putra Malaysia.
She said: “The victory has boosted my players and officials, especially the coach. We will try to go for more competitions but be assured that we will be back to this event next year and every year.”
In addition to the Minister of Education (Men’s category) Challenge Trophy, gold medals, Milo hampers and RM1,000 cash prize, the 17 Predator UPM undergraduates won both the Men’s Most Outstanding Player and Best Goalkeeper awards.
Meanwhile, the organisers made a decision which surprised sports officials and fans equally in the Institution of Higher Learning Women’s category.
Universiti Putra Malaysia’s ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams qualified for the final and requested that instead of a match, the outcome be decided by a penalty shoot out and the organisers agreed.
UPM ‘A’ won 3-2 to return home with the challenge trophy, RM1,000, gold medals and Milo hampers.
RESULTS — Men’s s-finals: UPNM Black 2 UNISZA A 0; 17 Predator UPM 1 USM Eagle B 0; Final: 17 Predator UPM 1UPNM Black 0.
Women’s s-finals: UPM A 1 UPSI Women A 0; UPM B 6 USM 0.
Final: UPM A 3 UPM B 2.
Roll of Honour — Men Most Outstanding Player: Mohd Afnanizam Zakaria (17 Predator UPM)
Best Goalkeeper: Muhamad Amirudin Zainudin (17 Predator UPM)
Top Scorer: Muhammad Firas Mohd Tarmizi (UNIZA-A)
Women Most Outstanding Player: Mawaddah Abu Bakar (UPM A)
Best Goalkeeper: Nurul Atikah Shuhada (USM KKLady)
Top Scorer: Noor Hasliza Md Ali (UPM B)