Tnb Going For Treble After Ending 21-year Drought In Mhl

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 (Bernama) -- After ending a 21-year title drought by winning the Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) 2024 yesterday, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) are now eyeing a treble this season.

TNB, who started the season by beating Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) 3-1 in a shootout early this month to lift the Charity Shield, confirmed the league title in style by thrashing JM Antsbees 22-1 at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil here last night.

The Nor Saiful Zaini Nasiruddin-guided squad will keep up their hunt for a treble when they play Kuala Lumpur City in the TNB Cup first-leg quarter-final at the National Hockey Stadium on Friday and in the return leg at the same venue on Sunday.

TNB Chief Global Business Solutions Officer Datuk Ahmad Hushairi Ibrahim congratulated the team's coaches and players and hoped that they would maintain their excellent performance.

“The good combination shown by the defenders and attackers enabled us to chalk up a big goal difference of 82 when we scored 92 goals and conceded only 10 goals in the 10 league matches to emerge champions.

“I hope the players can keep up their excellent performance and focus in the coming matches to win the TNB Cup and achieve the treble for the first time,” he said in a statement today.

Yesterday's win is TNB's sixth MHL title, having also won in 1990, 1991-92 (as Kelab Kilat), 2000-2001, 2002 and 2003. 

TNB players are also leading goal scorers this season, with Muhammad Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal on top with 23 goals and South Korean Jang Jong Hyun with 20 goals, followed by Nurinsafi Sporting player Nur Rahull Hrsikesa Thaitchana Muruthi with 17 goals.

Meanwhile, Nor Saiful said TNB's objective of hiring drag-flick specialist Jong Hyun to strengthen the team had paid off.

He said captain Syed Mohd Syafiq Syed Cholan is now lying just behind the South Korean national player in terms of drag-flick goals by scoring 11 of his 12 goals in this manner.

-- BERNAMA