Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) turned on the power to defeat TNB Thunderbolts 4-1 in the TNB-Malaysian Hockey Premier Division match at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil today.
Australian Kieran Govers steered the 2018 overall champions ahead with a fifth minute field goal and Razie Abdul Rahim converted penalty corners in the 25th and 39th minutes to extend UniKLâs lead to 3-0.
Muhammad Nor Asyraf Ishak reduced the deficit for Thunderbolts in the 46th minute via a penalty corner but Dutchman Robbert Kemperman made it 4-1 for UniKL with a 51st minute field goal.
This is the second time UniKL had defeated Thunderbolts this season, the first being at the quarterfinals stage of the Tan Sri P. Alagendra Cup on January 4. They won 4-1.
âIt was a much improved performance from the team and we also converted two penalty corners. I was never worried on penalty corner conversions as you can count onRazie just as he does for the national team when it mattered most,â said UniKL coach Arul Selvaraj.
âThe three points today is what we needed and the win was exceptionally good. Now we face Maybank next (Feb 1) and we have to stay focus. UniKL players are showing better understanding after each match and Iâm very happy with that,â he added.
In another match, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) edged Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) 3-2 at the Batu Buruk Hockey Stadium in Kuala Terengganu.
Whilst THT continued stay top of the pool with 15 points, UniKL take second spot on 13 points following todayâs win, pushing THT down to third position (10 points).
UniKL and Thunderbolts got off on a cautious pace although it was Thunderbolts that dared venture further by earning a penalty corner in the second minute. However, Muhammad Aminudin Mohd Zainâs direct push was cleared away by a defender.
Clearly needing a win against Thunderbolts today to keep pace with TNB and THT at the top of the pool, UniKL dominated the second and third quarters.
However, a lapse in defence saw the fitter Thunderbolts break away in the 46th minute to earn their second penalty corner and Aminudin sneaked the ball past Ireland goalkeeper David Harte.
