UniKL keep unbeaten record in MHL 2019

BANGI, Feb 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Hockey League 2019 Premier Division champions, Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) concluded the season's competition with an unbeaten record after defeating Tenaga Nasional Berhad Thunderbolts (TNB Thunderbolts) 2-0 at Tengku Abdullah Stadium, today.

Fresh from clinching their first Premier Division title on Wednesday, UniKL under coach Arul Selvaraj kept their fast pace game to lead 1-0 in the sixth minute via a penalty stroke by Muhammad Razie Abd Rahim.

UniKL later defended well to stave off several attempts by TNB Thunderbolts before Mohamad Ashran slotted in the second goal in the 48th minute.

The 2-0 score remained until the end of match which saw UniKL closing their third campaign with 34 points after 12 league games with only one draw.

Meanwhile in another match at Tun Razak Stadium saw league runners-up TNB lost 3-5 to  

Terengganu Hockey Team (THT).

THT opened the score through a field goal by Muhammad Sufi Ismat Rohulamin in the 19th minute before two field goals by Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Tengku Abd Jalil in the 22nd minute and Mohamad Akhimullah Anuar Esook in the 29th minute to put TNB 2-1 ahead.

The visitors bounced back to equalised through a penalty corner by Gonzalo Merino in the 32nd minute but TNB fought back with a penalty corner converted by Norshafiq Sumantri.

THT who were the 2019 Charity Shield winners refused to surrender and mounted a three-goal spree in five minutes via a penalty stroke by Faizal Saari in the 41st minute, followed by a field goal by Jung Manjae (43rd minute) and a penalty corner by Merino in the 46th minute to finish the league competition in the third place.    

At Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Hockey Stadium, Maybank were held to a 2-2 draw by UiTM to confirm their fourth placing in the league.

Maybank’s two goals were netted by Muhammad Sulaiman Abdul Razak in the 24th minute (penalty corner) and Hafifihafiz Hanafi in the 38th minute while UiTM’s two goal were contributed by Kamaruddin Kodir Beraheng in the 44th minute and Danial Asyraf Abd Ghani (48th minute).

In this regard, 2019 MHL will continue with the TNB Cup in which four top teams will battle in the first leg  semi-finals where UniKL will face Maybank while TNB will meet THT on Tuesday.

-- BERNAMA