Kuala Lumpur (26 February, 2019): Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) defeated Maybank 4-1 in the first-leg semi-finals of the 2019 TNB Cup at the Tun Razak Stadium today.
The TNB Cup defending champions got started their adventure without Coach A. Arul Selvaraj who fell ill hours before this crucial encounter against the Tigers. In his absence, team manager Dato’ Amir Azhar Ibrahim plotted Maybank’s downfall.
In another match, Terengganu Hockey Team defeated Tenaga Nasional Berhad 3-1 with a brace from Faizal Saari (28th, 46th minutes) and Jang Jonghyun (52nd minute, PC). TNB replied through Muhammad Arif Shafie Ishak in the 60th minute.
The return-leg semi-finals will be played on Thursday at the same venue.
“We trained yesterday (Monday) under similar conditions at 3pm. It was much hotter on Monday. Today the temperature dropped slightly. The local and foreign players adjusted well to the time management with no heat stroke or cramps,” said Dato’ Amir.
“Anything can happen in the second-leg semi-finals. A 4-1 lead is never comfortable going into Thursday’s return match and we are going to stay with a full strength for Thursday’s match. Hopefully Arul will be able to join the team,” he added.
Arul’s absence was certainly not felt much by an experienced UniKL side as they worked their way to this comfortable win with three first half goals.
Martijn Havenga converted a penalty corner in the eighth minute to give the League champions a head start. It was the Dutchman’s seventh goal in the tournament and sixth via penalty corners.
Playing under soaring temperature of 35 degree Celsius, UniKL faced no trouble in staying on top of their opponent when Muhammad Razie Abdul Rahim extended the lead in the 20th minute from a similar strike and Mohamed Ashran Hamsani netted the third a minute later from a field goal to take a 3-0 lead into the half-time break.
The third quarter was evenly contested although both teams could not find the breakthrough for goals.
UniKL earned a fifth penalty corner in the 52nd minute but Razie’s drive from the top of the semi-circle was padded away by goalkeeper Mohd Hanafi Hassan, who replaced Muhamad Zaimi Mat Deris at the start of the third quarter.
Maybank’s effort in shutting out UniKL’s marauding forwards did not last long as Robbert Kemperman worked his way well to score the fourth goal in the 58th minute from open play. National player Muhammad Haziq Samsul reduced the deficit for Maybank seconds to the final hooter.
UniKL have thus claimed a third consecutive victory over Maybank in the Malaysian Hockey League this season following 5-1 and 2-1 victories earlier in the league.
