Terengganu win MHL Charity Shield

PETALING JAYA: South Korean international Jang Jong-hyun marked his return to the Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) with a double to help Terengganu retain the Charity Shield after beating Tenaga Nasional at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Thursday (Feb 9).

As expected, Jong-hyun converted two penalty corners in the 34th minute and scored the winner in the 58th minute to help Terengganu claim their first silverware of the season.

Terengganu, who had also beaten Tenaga 3-2 in last year's Charity Shield clash, came from behind twice to snatch victory and also claim the three crucial points to begin their quest to defend the league title.

It was, however, Tenaga who opened scoring when national striker Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal slotted home a field goal in the 14th minute before Terengganu found the equaliser through captain Fitri Saari, who scored from a reserve hit in the 20th minute.

It was Tenaga skipper Syed Mohd Syafiq Syed Cholan's turn to sound the board when he converted a penalty corner in the 32nd minute for a 2-1 lead.

Jang-hyun brought Terengganu back into the game again with the equaliser and Shello Silverius maintained his World Cup form as he scored the third goal in the 43rd minute for Terengganu to give a 3-2 lead before a heavy downpour halted the match for about 25 minutes.

Upon resumption, Amirul Hamizan Azahar made it 3-3 when he scored through a penalty corner for Tenaga in the 49th minute but Jong-hyun delivered the killer blow for Nor Saiful Zaini's boys for the second year in a row.

Meanwhile, Negri Sembilan clinched the women's Charity Shield, being held for the first time, when they defeated Uniten Thunder through penalty shootout.

Both teams were tied 1-1 after regulation time but Negri won the shootout 2-1 to begin their new season with confidence.

RESULTS

Charity Shield

Men: Terengganu 4 Tenaga Nasional 3.

Women: N. Sembilan 1 Uniten Thunder 1 (Negri win penalty shootout 2-1).