KUALA Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) lifted their maiden Malaysia Hockey League title in 2006, and went on to romp away with their seventh League title on Friday with a match in hand.
However, they have not been so lucky in their double attempts, as they only have three which they won in 2008, 2010 and 2011.
Sapura (2006) and Tenaga Nasional (2007, 2009) denied them a clean sweep of titles in epic finals.
So, naturally, team manager George Koshy is optimistic, but not overly confident of another mammoth feat.
“We started off as Ernst and Young and evolved to KLHC and have seven League and three Overall titles since 2006.
“But looking back, even with the best available players in the country, we were denied three Overall titles by Sapura and Tenaga,” said Koshy.
But the final beckons KLHC again, as they will be either paired with Sapura or Maybank in the two-leg semi-finals.
KLHC and Tenaga Nasional are seeded, while Sapura and Maybank will draw lots today to determine who they meet in the last four.
“Frankly speaking, I would prefer to play Maybank be cause Sapura have improved much in the return leg matches. They even held Tenaga Nasional (2-2) and are a patient side which defends well and then mounts fast attacks.
“And with a two-leg semi-finals, this could prove to be dangerous,” said Koshy.
Koshy, who is also the national seniors team manager, then changed hats and spoke about the national team’s se lection.
“Coach Paul Revington is keen to recall several old-timers after watching them in the MHL. He will select 30 trainees, and about six of them would be former players who still have it in them,” said Koshy.
Former internationals Chua Boon Huat, Ismail Abu, Amin Rahim and Madzli Ikmar are being courted to return for the Champions Challenge I in Argentina.
“Some of them have been given training schedules and if they follow it an improve their fitness, they might just see themselves representing the country again.”
Today, the Premier Division matches have no bearing as the title as well as semi-finals slots have already been determined after Friday’s matches.
Meanwhile in Division One, Armed Forces won the League title when they beat Politeknik KPT 4-0. Thunderbolt ended second when they edged Johor HA 2-1.
PREMIER DIVISION
P W D L F A Pts
KLHC 9 7 1 1 46 12 22
TNB 9 4 5 0 24 18 17
Sapura 9 3 4 2 18 16 13
Maybank 9 3 3 3 19 23 12
UniKL 9 1 2 6 16 26 5
Nur Insafi 9 1 1 7 17 45 4DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
Forces 6 4 2 0 12 4 14
Thunderbolt 6 4 1 1 12 6 13
BJSS 6 4 0 2 27 18 12
Johor HA 6 3 0 3 16 16 9
Uniten 6 2 1 3 10 12 7
UiTM 6 2 0 4 10 19 6
Politeknik 6 0 0 6 7 19 0
RESULTS -- Division One: BJSS 9 UiTM 4, Politeknik KPT 0 Armed Forces 4, Thunderbolt 2 Johor HA 1.
TODAY -- Premier Division: Sapura v Nur Insafi-MBI (National Stadium Pitch II, 4pm), Tenaga v KLHC (National Stadium Pitch II, 6pm), Maybank v UniKL (National Stadium Pitch II, 8pm).
