GEORGE KOSHY
MALAYSIA Hockey League double champions Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) see their weekend defeat and draw in the Premier Division as more of hitting a speed-hump, than a brick wall.
KLHC had a brilliant start by winning four matches with ease, but were stumped when Tenaga Nasional beat them 4-3 on Friday.
And on Sunday, they were held to a 1-1 draw by Sapura, whom them thrashed 5-0 in the first leg.
The MHL was heading towards a predictable end, but KLHC’s charge was somehow derailed and now top-of-the-table Tenaga and also Sapura are also in the hunt for silverware.
KLHC Team manager George Koshy placed the blame on the entire team, from players to officials, for their temporary slump.
“Our performance in the last two matches was a major disappointment and the blame lies on the entire team as well as officials.
“Most of the chances that we got in the earlier four games were converted without difficulty, but everything went miserably wrong against Tenaga and Sapura as we failed to convert the many chances that came our way.
“ I don’t think we have hit a brick wall in our quest to retain the League title, but more like hitting a speed bump at full speed,” said Koshy.
KLHC are a combination of youth and experienced former internationals like Chua Boon Huat, Kelvinder Singh and Ismail Abu.
“We have a bunch of talented and experienced individuals who I’m sure will individually and collectively work out a plan cum strategy to overcome this setback.
“Watch us bounce back in the remaining games as we not only plan for wins but continue with our entertaining style,” said George.
MHL current top scorer Faizal Saari saved Tenaga the blushes as well as placed them at the top of the standings by scoring the solitary goal against Maybank on Sunday to share the spoils.
Faizal has scored a total of 13 out of Tenaga’s 16, and they will rely on him in the remaining matches to tighten their grip on the League title.
