TENAGA Nasional geared up for their crucial match against Maybank today with a 5-0 demolition of Nur Insafi at the Kuantan Stadium.
In the only Premier Division match of the day, the score could have been into the double digits if not for some super saves from Nur Insafi goalkeeper Nasir Ahmad.
However, Tenaga did enough to secure the three points, which elevated them to the third spot on the standings, and prime themselves for an attempt to tame the Tigers and move to second.
Tenaga scored their first in the 10th minute when Amir Farid Fuzi broke free in the centre and slipped the ball past Nur Insafi custodian Nasir Ahmad.
Faisal Saari then perfected his drag flick in the 18th minute penalty corner as he sent in a sizzler crashing into the back of the goal-mouth.
Former international Amin Rahim then scored the third in the 20th minute, also off a penalty corner attempt, to take a 3-0 lead into the breather.
With their crucial match against Maybank today at the back of their mind, Tenaga slowed the pace after the breather but still Sallehin Ghani (58th) and Aminuddin Zain (66th) completed the goal-count.
Meanwhile, the battle continues at the blue pitch in Kuantan today, with a high-stakes roll in the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) and Sapura encounter.
Double champions KLHC can’t afford to drop any points in their last Round One match if they want to keep their grip in the Premier Division.
While Sapura, whose only blemish is a 3-5 defeat in the hands of Maybank, have started to look dangerous as their foreign signings finally find their form.
“It will not be an easy match, but I am confident my players would not disappoint as we aim to end Round One with three points.
“This is vital, as the nearest rival (Maybank) is just a point adrift, and we can’t allow any silp-ups at this crucial stage to defend our League title,” said KLHC team manager George Koshy.
Maybank will also be involved in a cruncher, as they play a wounded Tenaga Nasional who have been playing below par even though they have a sterling cast to depend on.
RESULT: Premier Division -- Nur Insafi 0 TNB 5.
SUNDAY: Premier Division -- Sapura v KLHC (6pm), Terengganu v UniKL (6pm), Tenaga v Maybank (8pm).
Note: Matches at Pitch I and II of the Kuantan Hockey Stadium.
STANDINGS
PREMIER DIVISION
P W D L F A Pts
KLHC 5 4 1 0 24 6 13
Maybank 5 4 0 1 20 12 12
TNB 5 2 3 0 18 11 9
Sapura 5 2 2 1 13 11 8
Tgganu 5 1 1 3 12 16 4
UniKL 5 1 0 4 6 17 3
N Insafi 6 0 1 5 6 26 1