SAPURA coach I. Vickneswaran, a former international, predicts a revival in the Malaysia Hockey League this season, based on the early effort pumped in by Premier Division teams.The Premier Division Starts on Dec 17, and the nine teams competing are Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club, Armed Forces- Airod, Maybank, Nur Insafi, Sapura, Tenaga, UiTM, UniKL and Yayasan Negri Sembilan.
“I am amazed with the effort put in by many teams to prepare strong sides for the Premier challenge. I feel this season is going to see a revival of the MHL, back to what it used to be like in the 80s,” said Vickneswaran.
The MHL had taken a beating in the last 10 years, as it turned into a mediocre tournament where teams were just competing to complete the fixtures.
“That is no longer the situation, as many talented foreign players have been roped in to make it more exciting, and the standard will surely be higher than last year.”
As for Sapura: “We have signed three foreign players in Pakistan’s Rehan Butt (who scored the second goal against Malaysian in the Asian Games final), Welsh goalkeeper David James Kettle and Korean Junior World Cup player Lim Woo Geun.
“Rehan is still not here, and Jiwa Mohan is also still in Australia. We have played some friendlies, but not with the full side yet,” said Vickneswaran.
Vickneswaran, who coached UniKL last season, also feels the University side will impress this season.
“UniKL have signed some impressive foreign players, and with their local young talent, I believe they will also be a team to watch this year.”
Sapura, who lost the Overall title to Tenaga Nasional after a penalty shoot-out, will be looking to end their barren run this season.
SAPURA: Rodzhanizam Radzi, Noor Khairul Azrain, M. Vizayan, Marhan Jalil, Ahmad Kazamirul, Lim Woo Geun (GP), Redzuan Ponirin, Jiwa Mohan, Rehan Butt (GP), Nasihin Nubli (GK), Faisal Kamarudin, Izwan Firdaus, Joel Samuel Van Huizen, Razi Ismail, Jivan Mohan, Azreen Rizal, David James Kettle (GK, GP), Faizal Daud, Norhanfpe Omar, Izzat Rahim, Craig Joseph Fernandez, S. Kuhan.
Team Manager: Abdullah Yunus
Coach: I. Vikneswaran
Asst Coach: K. Balakrishnan
