UniKL-Ibil's victory in draw

UNIKL-Ibil took their chances well to hold Nur Insafi 2-2 in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) Premier League at the Tun Razak Stadium yesterday.
Nur Insafi, even with 16 foreign players, were made to sweat for the point, as the youthful UniKL side came back into the match twice, and were unlucky not to have collected full points.
Eighteen-year-old Noor Faez Ibrahim was in top flight, and it earned him the Man-of-the-Match award.
Nur Insafi took the lead off Pakistan penalty corner specialist Imran Warsi in the ninth minute, but Faez replied with a well taken penalty corner in the 20th minute.
The boys then held the experienced foreigners at bay for the remained of the first half, but in the 51st minute, Sundeep Michael scored in the run of play.
However, UniKL players turned a penalty corner into a penalty stroke, and Razali Zulkipli flicked home for the
“I am still seething from the 3-0 defeat we suffered against Maybank on Friday, but the players made up with the draw against experienced foreign players.
“We could have won if not for the missed sitters, but I am still happy with my players because they showed maturity in their approach today,” said UniKL coach I. Vickneswaran.
Maybank remained unbeaten when they edged Tenaga Nasional 1-0 with the goal coming in the 54th minute from former international K. Gobinathan’s penalty corner at tempt.
“We have a good blend of youth in our side this year, and beating TNB is especially sweet as they have many current internationals in their side,” said Maybank coach S. Ve lappan.
IN the last match of the day, Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club beat Sapura 4-2. Sapura took the lead off S. Kuhan in the 25th minute, only to see Razie Rahim pulling off the equaliser in the 40th minute.
However, KLHC scored three more off Chua Boon Huat (46th), Azlan Misron (51st) and Ismail Abu (64th).
Kuhan again scored for Sapura in the 65th minute, but time was not on their side.
The Premier League will take a weeks break as players celebrate the Christmas weekend, and the action will begin on January 2 at the Universiti Sains Malaysia grounds.
RESULTS: Maybank 1 TNB 0, UniKL 2 Nur Insafi 2, KL Hockey Club 4 Sapura 2.


STANDINGS

P W D L F A Pts
MAYBANK 3 3 0 0 9 2 9
KLHC 3 3 0 0 10 4 9
SAPURA 3 1 0 2 7 7 3
TENAGA 3 1 0 2 5 5 3
UNIKL 3 0 1 2 2 8 1
NUR INSAFI 3 0 1 2 4 11 1