NST : TNB Cup semifinals too close to call
KUALA LUMPUR: Fans can expect an explosive tie when newly crowned Malaysia Hockey League Premier Division champions Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) play Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) in the two-leg TNB Cup semifinals.
The first leg will be held at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Sunday, followed by the return match on Wednesday.
In the MHL Premier League, Unikl held THT to 2-2 and 1-1 draws.
Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) play each other in the other semi-final tie.
UniKL coach A. Arul Selvaraj said a draw in the first leg against THT will be a good result.
“We will approach the game accordingly like we did in our league matches against them. We will push hard in order to put them under constant pressure,” said Arul.
“ We may need to reshuffle as goalkeeper David Harte and Kieren Govers are injured.”
THT coach Sarjit Singh said his team are confident after winning the league title.
“We want to maintain our unbeaten run and win the TNB Cup. The players are motivated for the semi-finals,” said Sarjit.
In the other semi-final, KLHC and Tenaga are expected to play it safe.
“It is now a different ball game where the stakes are higher. There are no favourites in the knockout stage.
“Although, we thrashed TNB 4-0 in our last meeting, it does not mean it will be a walk in the park this time.
“We need to be at our best,” said KLHC coach Lim Chiow Chuan.
The first leg will be held at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Sunday, followed by the return match on Wednesday.
In the MHL Premier League, Unikl held THT to 2-2 and 1-1 draws.
Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) play each other in the other semi-final tie.
UniKL coach A. Arul Selvaraj said a draw in the first leg against THT will be a good result.
“We will approach the game accordingly like we did in our league matches against them. We will push hard in order to put them under constant pressure,” said Arul.
“ We may need to reshuffle as goalkeeper David Harte and Kieren Govers are injured.”
THT coach Sarjit Singh said his team are confident after winning the league title.
“We want to maintain our unbeaten run and win the TNB Cup. The players are motivated for the semi-finals,” said Sarjit.
In the other semi-final, KLHC and Tenaga are expected to play it safe.
“It is now a different ball game where the stakes are higher. There are no favourites in the knockout stage.
“Although, we thrashed TNB 4-0 in our last meeting, it does not mean it will be a walk in the park this time.
“We need to be at our best,” said KLHC coach Lim Chiow Chuan.
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