Sapura looking to bounce-back in second-leg of the Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) Quarter-finals
Sapura, overall defending runner-up, is looking to bounce back by winning the second-leg quarter-final of the Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) to be played on October 15, at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Contrary to expectations, Nur Insafi Penang outplayed Sapura in the first-leg quarter-final of the league by 2-1.
The defeat was a big shock for the Sapura players, who were looking to down the unbeaten Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) instead.
I. Vickneswaran, coach of the Sapura team, commented that nothing happened accurately in the middle of the week. Most of the team members have a family and job besides playing hockey, he added.
The coach maintained, “So, it would have been better if the match had been held on a weekend. However, having said that, we can't afford another blunder on Saturday (tomorrow) and throw away our second lifeline”.
Everyone was surprised how Sapura lost the first game to Nur Insafi whom it defeated by 7-0 in the Premier Division fixture.
Vickneswaran was of the opinion that there were many factors behind the poor show in the first quarter-finals. However, he stated that they will work hard to secure a place in the semi-final round.
The absence of S. Kuhan, who was awarded a red-card and suspended for one-match, will really affect Sapura’s game.
In addition, the exclusion of another veteran player, Azreen Rizal, will further affect their penalty corner conversion department.
The striking capability of Nur Insafi was more powerful than Sapura, many of the shots they struck faded away in the other end of the field.
The coach was of the view they will have to remain calm in the game. He commented, “We made mistakes in the first and paid dearly for it. What is vital is to remain composed despite the setback and bounce back stronger”.
The coach informed that they will have to score early goals in order to establish their dominance on the field.
He believed that it will be a tough task but the players have the potential. In his concluding remarks, the coach reiterated anticipations to win the match.
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