NST : UniKL aim to upset form book in MHL
KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) hope to win their first-ever Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) title when the season gets underway with the P. Alegandra Cup on Wednesday.
The club have not won a title since their debut in 2011, but they are confident their fortunes will change in the upcoming season following investments on quality signings.
UniKL have roped in six foreign internationals along with three national players.
The six foreigners are Ireland’s David Harte, Netherlands’ Sander de Wijn and Jeroen Hertzberger, and Australia’s Kieren Govers, Tim Deavin, Glenn Turner.
Marhan Jalil, Najmi Farizal and Joel Samuel Van Huizen, who are in the national team, are the key local players along with former International Kevin Lim.
“Now that all is in place in terms of players, we need to build on team work as well as tactics to ensure a successful season,” said UniKL coach Arul Selvaraj.
“ With matches every two days spread over a month, it is going to be a question of whether our players can sustain the intensity throughout the season.
“I believe we have a good pool of players capable of doing well in matches.
“ We cannot afford to drop points while injuries and suspensions are among the things we need to avoid.”
UniKL will start their season against Selangor in the first round of the P. Alegandra Cup on Wednesday, but they will be without Deavin and Hertzberger, who are due to arrive after the knockout competition.
On the P. Alegandra Cup, Arul said: “I have reminded my players not to take any of the matches lightly.
“ Complacency is something I will not tolerate and every player will be expected to fight for playing time.
“ We need to be consistent in order to win at least one silverware this season,” Arul added.
The MHL Premier Division, comprising UniKL, Terengganu Hockey Team, KL Hockey Club, Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Maybank and TNB Thunderbolts, starts on Jan 12 and ends on Feb 5.
The club have not won a title since their debut in 2011, but they are confident their fortunes will change in the upcoming season following investments on quality signings.
UniKL have roped in six foreign internationals along with three national players.
The six foreigners are Ireland’s David Harte, Netherlands’ Sander de Wijn and Jeroen Hertzberger, and Australia’s Kieren Govers, Tim Deavin, Glenn Turner.
Marhan Jalil, Najmi Farizal and Joel Samuel Van Huizen, who are in the national team, are the key local players along with former International Kevin Lim.
“Now that all is in place in terms of players, we need to build on team work as well as tactics to ensure a successful season,” said UniKL coach Arul Selvaraj.
“ With matches every two days spread over a month, it is going to be a question of whether our players can sustain the intensity throughout the season.
“I believe we have a good pool of players capable of doing well in matches.
“ We cannot afford to drop points while injuries and suspensions are among the things we need to avoid.”
UniKL will start their season against Selangor in the first round of the P. Alegandra Cup on Wednesday, but they will be without Deavin and Hertzberger, who are due to arrive after the knockout competition.
On the P. Alegandra Cup, Arul said: “I have reminded my players not to take any of the matches lightly.
“ Complacency is something I will not tolerate and every player will be expected to fight for playing time.
“ We need to be consistent in order to win at least one silverware this season,” Arul added.
The MHL Premier Division, comprising UniKL, Terengganu Hockey Team, KL Hockey Club, Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Maybank and TNB Thunderbolts, starts on Jan 12 and ends on Feb 5.
Post a Comment