King, Queen congratulate Speedy Tigers for historic win

KUALA LUMPUR: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah today congratulated the national men's hockey team for making history by lifting the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup for the first time yesterday.

Comptroller of the Royal Household for Istana Negara Datuk Seri Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said Their Majesties expressed gratitude and joy on the team's success, thus ending the 39-year wait for Malaysia as the host to emerge as the champion of the tournament.

"Their Majesties also express their pride over the great team spirit and full-hearted action displayed by the team during the finals of the 29th edition of the prestigious Cup to defeat defending champions, South Korea.

"Their Majesties both expressed their heartfelt congratulations and appreciation to the management of the Malaysian Hockey Confederation under the leadership of president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal," he said in a statement.

Al-Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah also congratulated the Speedy Tigers, managed by Datuk Mirnawan Nawawi and head coach A. Arulselvaraj, and everyone who contributed to the victory, he added.

Ahmad Fadil said Their Majesties had expressed hope that the success would encourage the national team to train and work harder in preparing for the Hockey World Cup next year.

"Their Majesties also expressed their appreciation to the fans who came to give strong support to the national hockey team in the final match of the tournament yesterday, which ended with a meaningful victory and a new history for the country," he said.

Malaysia lifted the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup for the first time after defeating South Korea 3-2 in a tense final at the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Stadium in Ipoh, Perak, last night.

The win enabled the Speedy Tigers to end a 39-year wait for the title, which they missed out on when they lost 8-3 to Australia in the final of the 2014 edition.

-- BERNAMA