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Despite shaky performances, Sapura looking to earn spot in Malaysian Hockey League finals

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Despite shaky performances, Sapura looking to earn spot in Malaysian Hockey League finals
Last year’s runner-up, Sapura, hit a bad scrap in the Malaysian Hockey League (MHL), underway at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Malaysia. Despite bad shows in the earlier stages, the team is looking to earn a spot in the finals of the knock-out
stage.
Although Sapura walked through into the semi-final round, its average performances against Nur Insafi in the two quarter-finals created difficulties for the next stage.
After losing the first-leg of the quarter-final by 2-1, Sapura bounced back and clobbered the Penang-based team by 2-0.
Sapura’s coach, I. Vikneswaran, believed that the team required extensive work prior to facing Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) in the semi-final competition.
He was not satisfied with the performances against Nur Insafi, saying that the team (Sapura) failed to show its real potential.
He added: “Our performances in both legs of the quarter-finals were collectively our worst performance in the league. We did not produce our true ability. It has come at the wrong time... we need to find solutions. The league is tough and some of my players,
especially the older ones who have minor injuries, are finding it tough to recover after each match”.
It is vital to mention here that Sapura is missing the services of two veteran players, Craig Joseph Fernandez and Azreen Rizal Nasir, who was not part of the squad for the last six games as he was suffering from a hamstring tear.
Furthermore, former international player, S. Kuhan was awarded a red-card as well as a one-game suspension for arguing with the referee in the Premier Division match.
Sapura’s coach expressed hopes, saying that the seasoned striker will not be further punished as his presence in the first-leg of the semi-finals is crucial for the team.
On the other hand, Hashim Mohd Yusoff, Chairman of the MHF Technical Committee, informed that the panel will decide the fate of the Sapura’s player.
He added, “Kuhan has served a mandatory one-match suspension but he could be suspended for a few more matches”.
To a query regarding semi-finals against TNB, Sapura’s coach explained that the opponents had an advantage over his squad.
Sapura was beaten by 2-0 in the Premier Division, but in Vikneswaran’s view, it was a different level of game.
He anticipated the players will show their full potential in the semi-final stage to finish at the podium on a positive note.

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