ALWAYS unpredictable, the TNB Cup, one of the most prestigious local competitions, begins today with defending champions KL Hockey Club (KLHC) hoping to win their third title of the season.
On paper KLHC, the Premier League champions with several internationals, should easily defeat an inconsistent Maybank side in the first leg semi-finals today.Maybank coach Wallace Tan, a known master tactician, however, could push his players to make an impression.
"We lost to them twice in the league and the underdogs-tag suits us just fine. We may not have a star-studded line-up but we certainly have strong team players," warned Wallace yesterday.
"It will take a huge effort to overcome them but that is something we need to do if we want to move forward."
Maybank will depend on the experience of Pakistan internationals Muhammad Waqas and Shakeel Abbasi to spoil KLHC's party today.
KLHC may have quality and the depth but they could make it difficult for themselves by being complacent.
Former international Mirnawan Nawawi said Maybank will definitely give KLHC a tough match.
"Without the suspended Ahmad Kazamirul, KLHC will have to be more vigilant at the back. Wallace will take a new approach and also depend on Shakeel to create the openings," said Mirnawan.
TNB, meanwhile, face a tough hurdle without the suspended national striker Faizal Saari, the tournament's top scorer with 18 goals, against an experienced Sapura side.
For Sapura, the suspension of Faizal is akin to a bonus that they need to cash in the first leg itself. Sapura need a win to put pressure on their young opponents for the return leg.
"No doubt his absence will affect us but one has to bear in mind that we have other capable players. It will be a battle between youth and experience and we need to be patient to prevail," said TNB coach Nor Saiful Zaini.
Sapura consultant Stephen van Huizen has strategies prepared for the match.
"I believe it will be a close affair and the team who play according to a proven strategy will achieve a good result," he said.
The President's Cup, catered for Division One teams, should have evenly fought semi-final matches today.
League champions Armed Forces will fancy their chances against Bukit Jalil Sports Schools while the other semi-final is between Thunderbolt and Johor HA.
