MHL: Three cheers for UniKL

KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 -- Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) have proven themselves to be the undisputed number one hockey team in the country after they defeated Maybank 1-0 to lift the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) title for the third straight time at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil today.

The Charity Shield winners also showed that they are a class above by going undefeated in the league for the second consecutive season.

Although coach Megat Azrafiq Megat Termizi's team dominated the first half, they found Maybank goalkeeper Muhammad Zaimi Mat Deris in inspired form as he single-handedly thwarted three penalty corner attempts by UniKL.

But there was only so much he could do as UniKL continued to launch waves of attack after the break before Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Tengku Abdul Jalil finally broke Maybank's resolve, and Muhammad Zaimi's resistance, with a field goal in the 49th minute.

With 19 points from seven matches, it was enough for UniKL to win the league, which was held under the sports bubble concept to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Maybank, meanwhile, finished third in the league with 13 points.

Speaking after the match, Megat Azrafiq, who is handling the UniKL team for the first time, expressed his delight and was proud of the commitment shown by his charges.

"I am also proud of Tengku Ahmad Tajudin for his spirited display against Maybank and I believe we can conquer the world if there are more players like him,” he said.

Megat Azrafiq said it was his dream that UniKL will now go on and complete the treble by clinching the TNB Cup, which will begin on Sunday (March 28).

UniKL skipper Muhammad Marhan Mohd Jalil, meanwhile, attributed their success thus far to team spirit.

Meanwhile, the Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) emerged runners-up with 18 points after trouncing Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) 4-1.

TNB finished fourth with 12 points.

THT got their goals through Mohamad Akhimullah Anuar Esook (sixth minute) and a hat-trick from Faizal Saari (28th, field goal; 39th, penalty stroke, 58th, penalty corner) while TNB replied through Muhammad Muhibuddin Moharom a 51st-minute field goal. 

UiTM HA ended their MHL campaign in fifth place with 10 points after edging Sabah 3-2.

UiTM HA scored through Nor Ashriq Farhan (16th, penalty corner); Danial Asyraf (31st, field goal) and Muhammad Hafizhuddin (41st, penalty corner) while Baljit Singh Sarjab Singh struck a brace for Sabah through a penalty stroke in the 49th minute and a penalty corner four minutes before the end. 

Sabah ended up second from bottom.

Meanwhile, Nurinsafi HT propped up the standings when they ended the 2021 campaign with a 2-0 loss to TNB Thunderbolts, who finished sixth with six points.

Muhammad Faris Harizan slotted home a penalty corner goal in the seventh minute before Muhammad Syahir Hasif Harun added the second in the 47th minute for TNB Thunderbolts to grab all three points.

-- BERNAMA