MHL 2019: UniKL create history by lifting maiden Premier Division title

BANGI, Feb 20 (Bernama) — Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) created history today when they clinched their maiden title in the Premier Division of the Malaysian Hockey League 2019 season after edging Maybank 2-1 at Stadium Tengku Abdullah here today.

Despite having one more match to play,  the 31 points they collected after today’s victory  was sufficient for the team coached by Arul Selvaraj  to be crowned champions,  leaving in their wake Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) who were four points adrift and had to settle for second place.

Although with a line up of international stars like former best keeper in the world  David John Harte, from Ireland,  UniKL were given a shock when Mohamad Zulhamizan Awang Abas put TNB in the lead as early as the fourth minute.

Thereafter, they  launched incessant attacks only to be denied  by TNB keeper Mohd Riduan Mohamad Nasir who was in his element.

But a loss in concentration cost their opponents dearly when Rafizul Ezry Mustafa  and Valentin Verga scored in the 26th and 28th minutes respectively.

Arul said the team had been waiting nine long years for the coveted title.

“I am very happy because UniKL truly deserved the title after all the hard work they put in,” he said, adding that they were now looking forward to the TNB Cup competition.

In other matches, Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) beat Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) at Stadium Batu Buruk, Kuala Terengganu while Nurinsafi/Kedah Hockey edged TNB Thunderbolts 1-0 at Stadium Hoki Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).

-- BERNAMA