Penang showed plenty of character and fighting spirit in their mens semifinal match against Terengganu at the Wisma Belia Stadium in Kuantan.
They fought gallantly, from three goals down to take a 4-3 lead with only two minutes on the clock.
But in the end they had to concede a golden goal defeat to Terengganu whose national players Faisal Saari and Mohd Firhan Ashaari who saved the blushes for the overwhelming favourites.
Faisal put Terengganu 3-0 up, scoring goals in the 6th, 10th and 28th minutes. Any other team would have thrown in the towel. But perhaps the pep talk by Penang HA president Dato Ow Soon Kooi at halftime did the trick.
Khairul Naim Johari scored the opener for Penang in the 39th minute. And in the 42nd minute it was Mohd Rahimi Iskandar that reduced the deficit to just one goal.
Mohd Azwan Abd Rahim levelled it for Penang by converting a penalty corner. And Penang sensed victory when they took the lead in the 64th minute through Ahmad Termizi Ismail.
But Faisal scored his 19th goal of the tournament, and it cold not have been more crucial then this as his low penalty corner flick sounded the board with just 120 seconds remaining.
Firhan Ashaari scored in the 10th minute of extra time to send Terengganu into the final where they will meet Wilayah Persekutuan who trashed Johor 5-0.
Two goals each by Mohd Noor Faeez Ibrahim ( 32nd and 39th minutes) and Amir Farid ( 40th and 51st minutes) with the fifth by Mohd Syamim in the 60th minute gave the city side yet another final appearance.
Results:
Wilayah Persekutuan 5 Johor 0
Terengganu 5 Penang 4
(Golden Goal)
Fixtures: Sunday
3/4 Placing
1830H - Penang v Johor - Wisma Belia 2
Final
2035H - Wilayah Persekutuan v Terengganu
