IPOH, 13 Nov 2017:
Host Perak pulled off a pleasant upset by beating defending champion Terengganu 3-2 to lift the Razak Cup Division One title at the Azlan Shah Stadium here last night.
Perak, playing in front of their home fans, struck the opening goal through Mohd Najib Abu Hassan in the 30th minute – but national striker Faizal Shaari equalised in the 35th minute from a penalty corner strike.
The equaliser only served as a wake up call for the Perak player, who kept pounding at the Terengganu defence before Muhammad Haziq Samsul restored the lead for Perak in the 53rd minute.
However, Faizal was again on target from a penalty corner in the 56th minute to level the score at 2-2.
Hafifihafiz Hanafi emerged as the hero for Perak by knocking in the winner just a minute before the hooter to walk out 3-2 winners and deny Terengganu a hattrick of wins.
Perak were also winners in 2013 and 2014.
In the third-fourth playoff, Melaka edged Negeri Sembilan 1-0 to finish third.
Earlier, Perlis clinched the Division Two title by beating Selangor 2-0 in the final and gained promotion to Division One next year.
Azhad Akmal Mohd Fahmi struck a brace for Perlis in the 16th and 52nd minutes to also walk away with the Man-of-the-Match award.
– Bernama
Roll of honour:
Division 1:
- Fairplay: Negeri Sembilan
- Man-of-the-Match (final): Mohd Haziq Samsul (Perak)
- Best Goalkeeper: S. Kumar (Negeri Sembilan)
- Top Scorer: Faizal Saari (Terengganu)
- Best Player: Muhammad Marhan Jalil (Negeri Sembilan)
Division 2:
- Fairplay: Armed Forces
- Man-of-the-Match (final): Azhad Akhmal Mohd Fahmi (Perlis)
- Best Goalkeeper: Faizal Aziz (Perlis)
- Top Scorer: Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Tengku Abd Jalil (Perlis)
- Best Player: Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Tengku Abd Jalil (Perlis)