MAYBANK started slowly in the League, but have progressed into a ‘difficult’ side in the TNB-Malaysia Hockey League.The Tigers will be playing favourites Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) in the first leg of the semi-finals tomorrow, and taking them for granted would be a big mistake.
The other semi-finals is between Sapura and Tenaga Nasional, with the former playing without their suspended skipper S. Kuhan in the first leg.
Maybank, who rely on counter attacks for goals, played to a narrow 2-3 defeat to the Charity Shield and League holders in the League match.
“We know that it would be disastrous to take Maybank lightly, as they gave us quite a scare in the League and are capable of unleashing counter-attacks when least expected.
“That is their strength, and we need to be extra careful not to give their speedy strikers space to do the damage,” was KLHC coach R. Vivekanandan’s frank view.
KLHC skipper Azlan Misron has his own personal reason to beat Maybank in both legs and play in the final.
He just completed his ‘akad-nikah’ on Sunday, and his ’bersanding’ ceremony will be held one day before the TNB Cup final.
“I hope to rally my men to beat Maybank and play in the final, as a personal wedding gift. It would be a wonderful moment for my me if I achieve my target,” said the national player.
Maybank coach Wallace Tan admitted his charges will be going in as the underdogs against a team which has nine national players.
“KLHC is simply too strong and it would be a difficult match, but having said that, we will not give up until the final whistle of both legs.
“We have been relying on counter-attacks in previous matches, but we need more than that if we want to upset an unbeaten KLHC,” said Wallace.
KLHC are the only unbeaten side this season, and if any team has the capabilities to change that, it would have to be Maybank.
As for Kuhan, who received a red card when playing against Nur Insafi in the first leg of the quarter-finals where his team lost 2-1, he has been suspended for two matches.
He did not play in the return leg against Nur Insafi, but still, Sapura pulled off a 2-0 win and advanced into the semis.
The former national skipper will sit our the first semis against Tenaga, and will be back for the second leg.
WEDNESDAY: Semi-finals (first leg): Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club v Maybank (National Stadium, Pitch II 6pm); Sapura v Tenaga Nasional (National Stadium, Pitch II 8pm).
FRIDAY: Semi-finals (second leg): Tenaga Nasional v Sapura (National Stadium, Pitch II 6pm); Maybank v Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (National Stadium, Pitch II 8pm).
