KLHC defeat TNB to earn Charity Shield in inaugural match of Malaysian Hockey League
After showing an impressive performance, the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) has been emerged victorious over Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) by 2-1 in the inaugural match of the Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) that was took place at the National Hockey Stadium
in Bukit Jalil on September 17, 2011. Amazingly, the KLHC not only earned three points by winning the match but also clinched the Charity Shield.
KLHC failed to win the honour last year despite becoming the double champions in the event. On the other side, the TNB failed to make it three in a row, as they have lifted the Charity Shields back in 2009 and 2010. The defending champions held the Shield
for the first time in the short history of the league.
Shamshul Ariffin Zainuddin, the Manager of the TNB in a disappointed state of mind explained the defeat saying that they lost the game due to dissipation in the 25-yard D-line. He further stated, “We did not capitalise on our chances while KLHC made better
use of it. I do not think that there is a big gap between the two teams. Now we have to make sure we win the next seven matches in the league and keep pace with KLHC. There may be some surprise results so we need to stay in there and fight till the end.”
In order to establish their early dominance onto the field, the KLHC players started a fast paced game from the very early minutes and made penetrations into the defensive circle of opposite side. Though the KLHC players particularly Nabil Fiqri and Chua
Boon Huat missed chances in the opening minutes, they did not give up and continued accomplishing back-to-back attacks. After missing a number of chances, their efforts paid off with a field goal in the ninth minute of the mark as they dominated scorecard
1-0.
Though S. Kumar, the custodian of TNB managed to save a couple of attacks, Tengku Ahmad took the rebound and slammed a powerful shot into the goal. After getting a goal, the TNB players showed urgency and started speedy efforts. Fariq held a rebound after
Faisal Saari failed to do so and sent a direct shot into the goal to level it one-all.
Azlan Misron notched another goal from the field effort in the 48th minute and put KLHC ahead at the scorecard. The KLHC defenders kept the strikers from TNB at bay in the remaining period and made the Charity Shield victory possible for their
team at 2-1. KLHC put in a tremendous effort as they fought hard throughout the match, taking a much needed win in the end.
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