KUALA LUMPUR – Chinese hockey club Liaoning, who were invited to play in the Vivian May Soars Cup, emerged champions after beating Malaysian University 3-0 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw in the final at the Bukit Jalil National Hockey Stadium here tonight.
Wang Libin, Lihang and Li Jiaqi were on target, calmly converting their penalties after Wei Yuanmeng missed the team’s first attempt, while 2024 Malaysian Hockey League and Charity Shield champions Malaysian University had a day to forget as Nurmaizatul Hanim Syafi Sheikh Fuad, Nor Asfarina Isahyifiiqa and Siti Nur Arfah Mohd Nor all failed to score.
Tonight’s final began with both teams testing their opponents, and the first quarter ended goalless as both teams probed their rivals’ defence for any weaknesses. The first goal finally came in the 44th minute through a penalty corner by Liaoning’s Wang Lihang.
Malaysian University, coached by Lailin Abu Hassan, did not give up, and redoubled their efforts with waves of attacks, and were rewarded in the 55th minute with an equaliser through a penalty stroke by Nor Asfarina. The match subsequently ended in a 1-1 draw, paving the way for the penalty shootout.
Liaoning’s win is their first after being declared joint champions together with the Terengganu Ladies Hockey Team in 2019 after the final was called off due to heavy rain and thunderstorms.
The third and fourth-place decider played this evening meanwhile, was won by PDRM Blue Warriors, who beat Negeri Sembilan 2-0. – March 9, 2024