KL Thunders faces STL 2020 with two experienced players

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 -- The presence of two experienced players, Mohd Syahir Rosdi and Mohd Azlan Alias in the Kuala Lumpur Thunders (KL Thunders) team, is expected to give the team an advantage in creating positive results in the Sepak Takraw League (STL) Premier Division which starts on Sept 18.

Team captain, Ahmad Aizat Mohd Nor Azmi, however, said he did not want to be too comfortable with the presence of the two former Penang Black Panthers players because other teams are also expected to give them fierce competitions this season.

Mohd Syahir as tekong, is a former national player, while Mohd Azlan who played in the right side position is a national player.

"The thought of winning the championship is not there yet because in the game (sepak takraw) there are numerous unexpected possibilities.

"Therefore, we will give our best this season," he told reporters after the launch of the Li Ning brand STL jersey for the 2020 season by the Malaysian Sepak Takraw Association (PSM), deputy president Datuk Akramuddin Abd Aziz at a shopping mall, here today.

The same view was also expressed by the captain of the Perak Bison team, Amirul Ramadhan Fazillah Suhaimi who was optimistic that the team would be able to retain the Premier Division title won last season through the appearance of several new faces.

The national player at the same time, also labelled KL Thunders as the team's main challenger to defend the championship based on the presence of several experienced players in the team.

Ten teams would be competing in the Premier Division competition scheduled to take place from Sept 18 to Oct 11, namely, KL Thunders, Johor Tigris, Negeri Sembilan Antlers, ATM Guardians, PDRM Defenders, Selangor Pistons, Kelantan Warriors, Perak Bison, Penang Black Panthers and Pahang Mammoth.

Earlier, the STL Division One competition would open from Sept 8-13, involving the participation of eight teams, namely Terengganu Turtles, MASUM-UPM Knights, Putrajaya Cyborg, Bomba Fighters, Perlis Vipers, Melaka Titans, PSM Mavericks and Kedah Eagles.

The competition between the two divisions would be held privately in the absence of spectators at the Titiwangsa Stadium in compliance with the standard operating procedures set by the authorities.

The four best teams, each from the Premier Division and Division One, would be eligible to compete in the Champions Cup which would be held in Iskandar Malaysia, Johor on Nov 23-29.

-- BERNAMA