Pahang and Negeri Sembilan showcased immense composure under pressure to secure the boys’ and girls’ titles respectively at the National Under-16 Hockey Championship held at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

In a thrilling boys’ final, Pahang edged out a fierce Selangor side 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the match ended in a 1-1 deadlock during regulation time.

Pahang looked to have sealed the win when Qhalish Zaffran Rohizan broke the deadlock in the 55th minute, only for Selangor’s Qaleef Amarullah Irzan Effendi to strike back with an equalizer just a minute later.

In the subsequent shootout, Che Airell Miqail Che Rosdam, Afif Hafiyyan Jasemi, Adib Hariz Jasemi, and Aidil Irfan Amran all successfully converted their flicks to hand Pahang their third national Under-16 crown, adding to their previous triumphs in 2018 and 2022.

Pahang head coach Sufian Mohamad credited his squad’s resilience against a tough opponent and highlighted the strength of their youth programs. “I praise my players who fought really hard in regulation time,” Sufian stated.

“We rose to the occasion in the penalty shootout to win our third title. Our grassroots development has shown good results. It is a boost ahead for the Under-19 Malaysian Junior Hockey League (MJHL), which is expected next month.”

Pahang’s victory was further sweetened as Che Airell Miqail finished the tournament as the boys’ top scorer, racking up 10 goals in seven matches, while his teammate Muhammad Zikri Ezzany Zamri was named Player of the Match.

Melaka took home third place after a 3-1 victory over Johor, supported by goals from Faqhrul Syameer Azru, Waali Wafi Kamarudin, and Irfan Afif Razak, while Melaka’s Mukhriz Muhd Zamri claimed the Best Goalkeeper award.

In the girls’ division, Negeri Sembilan denied Selangor a double celebration by securing a narrow 1-0 victory in the final. The decisive moment came in the 26th minute when star forward Nur Zariefah Dania Mazlan calmly slotted home a penalty stroke.

The goal capped off an extraordinary individual tournament for Nur Zariefah, who finished as the top scorer with a staggering 22 goals across eight matches.

Negeri Sembilan swept the individual accolades, with Natashanajwa Nasharuddin named Player of the Match and Nur Dania Amanina Ibrahim taking home the Best Goalkeeper award.

Meanwhile, Perak claimed the third spot on the podium after defeating Penang 1-0 courtesy of a 44th-minute field goal from Nur Qamarina Nabila Hasrunnaim.