UniKL one match away from Premier Division title
KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) are just one match away from winning the Premier Division of the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) after thrashing basement side Nurinsafi/ Kedah Hockey 6-1 at the USM Hockey Stadium in Penang yesterday.
UniKL are sitting pretty at the top of the table with 28 points from 10 matches, one point more than nearest challengers Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB).
However, UniKL have two matches in hand while TNB have only one match left to play.
So, if UniKL beat Maybank at the Tengku Abdullah Hockey Stadium in Bangi on Feb 20, they will be able to seal the title with one game to spare.
Against Nurinsafi yesterday, UniKL stormed into a 2-0 lead through goals by Izwan Firdaus Ahmad Tajuddin (13th minute) and Martijn Peter Havenga (28th).
Although Nurinsafi reduced the deficit through Rahul Hrsikesa Thaitchana Muruthi three minutes later, UniKL hit back with a brace each from Muhammad Razie Abd Rahim (41st, 50th) and Faridzul Afiq Mohd (44th, 60th).
UniKL coach Arul Selvaraj was clearly pleased with his team’s display.
“They played to instruction and even the midfielders and defenders did well to thwart the opposition,” he said.
Meanwhile, TNB also won big, trouncing Maybank 72 at the Tengku Abdullah Hockey Stadium in Bangi yesterday.
TNB got their goals through Muhammad Firhan Ashaari (sixth minute), Norshafiq Sumantri (ninth, 59th), Muhammad Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal (35th), Mohamad Akhimullah Anuar Esook (41st), Muhammad Amirul Hamizan Azahar (57th) and Muhammad Arif Syafie Ishak (58th).
Maybank replied through Hafifihafiz Hanafi (15th minute) and Muhammad Haziq Samsul (46th).
In another match, TNB Thunderbolts defeated Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) 4-0 at the Tun Razak Stadium here, thanks to goals from Muhammad Muhibuddin Moharam (first minute), Muhamad Aminudin Mohd Zain (sixth, 18th) and Muhammad Nur Asyraf Ishak (22nd). Bernama