Hockey: Penang, Melaka win first ever Sukma gold medals

Small in size but big in talent!

Penang and Melaka made history at the Sarawak Hockey Stadium when they bagged their first ever Sukma gold medal since the inception of the Games in 1986 in the men's and women's category respectively.

Penang made a dramatic comeback to win 2-1 against Perlis from 0-1 down when Perlis took the lead through Muhammad Najmi Farizal, who brilliantly pushed inside the penalty corner in the 12th minute.

However, the Baharom siblings netted one each to secure the gold for the Island state, which featured in the finals for a second time after having missed the elusive gold medal in the 2002 Sabah Sukma.

It was Mohamad Rozaini Baharom to equalise via penalty corner in the 35th minute, before Muhmmad Rahimi Iskandar Baharom netted in another penalty corner in the 55th minute.

"We have ended up with so many bronze in the last few years after having lost in the semifinals. The boys really wanted it, they trained for it...They will get up in the morning, do the running, and doing everything even if we are not there.

"We took them to Perth (Australia) for a short stint (8 days) and from there they showed that they had the chance make it into the final," Penang coach, B. Rajendran, who is better known as Bob Rajendran in the hockey arena, told reporters.

The 67-year-old coach, who has more than 30 years' experience coaching in hockey, is regarded as the main force behind the success of Penang.

Terengganu took the bronze after thrashing Federal Territory 5-1 in the third and fourth play-off match.

Meanwhile, in the women's category, skipper Nur Aisyah Yaacob scored a brace to help Melaka edge favourites Selangor 2-1.

She first put Melaka ahead through a penalty shot in the 14th minute before Ellya Syahira Ellias equalised for Selangor via penalty corner in the 24th minute, however Nur Aisyah again scored via penalty corner 10 minutes later.

In the third and fourth play-off match, Federal Territory whipped Terengganu 4-0 for the bronze medal.