KUALA LUMPUR: It was third time lucky for KPT-UniTen Thunderbolts when they edged Negri Sembilan 2-1 in the final of the Vivian May Soars Cup yesterday.
Playing at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Negri took an early lead but UniTen were in no mood to lose or draw yet again.
In the League, Negri had beaten UniTen 1-0 and held them to a 1-1 draw to win the title, but the university side exacted revenge in the Cup final.
Negri were handed a ninth minute lead by Liyana Aqilah Sepawi but a strong show after half-time saw UniTen snatch the Cup with goals from Nurmaizatul Hanim (32nd) and Siti Nur Arfah (44th).
"When we were hit with the early goal, the feeling was 'oh no, not again!'
"But this time around my players were in no mood to lose or share the spoils or take the match to a shoot-out.
"They played their hearts out and lifted the Cup in the end," said UniTen coach Lailin Abu Hassan.
In the bronze medal playoff, Sabah beat National Development 2-0 with goals from Nur Hafizah Maznan (17th) and Putri Nur Batrisyia (50th).
RESULTS: Vivian May Soars Cup final: Negri Sembilan 1 KPT-Uniten Thunderbolts 2.
Third place: Sabah 2 National Development Team 0