Armed Forces lifted the Raja Noora Ashikin Cup for the first time in the history of the competition when they defeated Malacca 3-0 in the final at the Seremban 2 Hockey Stadium.
It was a final that pitted the experience of the Armed Forces against the youthful exuberance of the Malacca side, who were a last minute entry into the tournament.
In the end experience won but the Malacca side can stand proud as they made the final of two national championships within a space of two weeks. For in early June the Malacca girls had won the National Indoor Championship for the Raja Ashman Cup.
As for Armed Forces, the women squad lifted a trophy that had eluded them for seven editions. Their men squad had earlier ended a barren run for Armed Forces since the 1982 Razak Cup triumph by winning the National Indoor Tournament for men on June 2.
Armed Forces played a tight game at the back, opting for a four-player defence with Juliani Mohamma Din orchestrating the attack from midfield with skipper Nadia Abdul Rahman.
Despite being awarded three penalty corners early in the match, Nurul Asyadah Ahmad Shapawi failed to find the mark.
Malacca could not play their free flowing style of hockey that got them into the final as missing from the line-up was key defender Nur Atikah Shari who had to sit for her university examinations.
Thus Ayu Malina Zainuddin and Nor Aisyah Yaacob had to shoulder more defensive duties.
With Armed Forces dominating play, it was a matter of time before they scored. And the first goal duly came in the 24th minute through Izzuin Ismail.
Malacca had barely recovered from that when Nadia struck in the 27th minute giving Armed Forces a 2-0 lead.
Try as they did in the second half, Malacca could not breach the tight defence of Armed Forces and having to play three matches within 36 hours put paid to any chances of a fightback.
A penalty corner converted by Juliani in the 68th minute sealed the win and title for Armed Forces.
Meanwhile KL Sukma finished third after defeating Terengganu 3-0.
Goals for KL were scored by Herni Japlee in the 6th minute and Norazlin Sumantri, who netted a brace in the 11th and 32nd minutes.
Results
3/4th Placing
KL Sukma 3 Terengganu 0
Final
Armed Forces 3 Malacca 0
Roll of Honour
Fairplay: Sarawak
Top Scorer: Suzana Mohd Nasir (Armed Forces_ - 10 goals
Most Promising Player: Herni Japlee (Kuala Lumpur)
Best Goalkeeper: Norafini Kamaruddin (Kedah)
Player of the Match: Juliani Mohamma Din (Armed Forces)
