PAHANG, with seven national players, could only edge Armed Forces 1-0 in Group B of the Fifth Raja Noora Ashikin Cup at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday. It was a jittery start for the tournament favourites, and only a penalty corner goal from Siti Shahidah Saad in the 13th minute separated both the teams.
Perak and Singapore also had bad starts in in Group A and Group C respectively as they each blew a two-goal lead to share points.
Perak ended up with a 2-2 draw against Johor, while Singapore were held 2-2 by Selangor.
Perak opened scoring in the third minute through Nor Hidayah Ahmad Bokhari, and they doubled their advantage in the seventh minute through a goal from Khairunajwa Khairuddin.
But Johor closed the gap in the next minute when captain Nur Amirah perfected a penalty corner, and then they nailed the equalsier off Hanis Nadiah Onn in the 69th minute.
Singapore raced ahead with goals from Ming Fen O (seventh) and Xinni Chua (47th) only to see a Selangor’s Ellya Shahirah score a brace in the 51st and 68th minutes.
RESULTS: Group A -- Perak 2 Johor 2, Titiwangsa 1 Kedah 6; Group B: Penang 3 SMK Puteri 1, Pahang 1 Armed Forces 0; Group C: Singapore 2 Selangor 2; KL Sukma 1 Malacca 0.
