NEGRI Sembilan emerged champions of the National Veterans Hockey Tournament when they edged Perak 1-0 in the final held at the Hijau Kuning Sports Complex in Alor Star on SundayA total of 10 teams, a record of sorts for the championships participated in the tournament that was organised by the Kedah Hockey Association.
Prior to the final, a friendly match between Mahkota United, led by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation President Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and a Kedah Veterans XI was held. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.
In the final a goal by former RMR player Balbir Singh in the 14th minutes was enough to seal the title for Negri who had the services of Mohamed Nor Hussain, Surinder Singh, Derek Fidelis and MHF vice president K. Gobinathan.
In the match for the bronze medal, Kuala Lumpur trashed Police 6-1 with goals from Prem Singh, Lt Col Inderjit Singh, Satvinder Singh, K. Murali and Harbinder Singh who netted a brace.
Police got their consolation via Adzli Abu Shah.
Negri had defeated Police 1-0 in the semi-final while Perak edged Kuala Lumpur 3-2 on penalty strokes after the match ended in a 2-2 draw.
