THT: Now for the second title..

TERENGGANU Hockey Team (THT) spent millions to buy the best local talent, as well as five South Koreans, to land their first Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) Premier Division League title after two seasons.
  And Kuala Lumpur HC, the other rich kid on the block, were denied their ninth League title, as well as their four-cosecutive double streak was finally broken.
  There are only six teams in the Premier Division, but one could safely say that at least a total of eight million could have been spent this season.
  THT coach Sarjit Singh said even though they finished fifth in their debut season, the plan was to win a double this year.
  "We have achieved one goal, and now we are looking to nail the double as well. THT has spent much to form this side, and we need to deliver the silverware now.
  "My contract is for two years with THT, with an option to renew. And I can safely say that we will be much better next season as we have many plans, including developing local juniors for the long run," said Sarjit.
  The Giant-Killers of this season title went to UniKL when they hammered KLHC 5-1 on Sunday.
  UniKL deserve the accolades, as they almost lost their best penalty corner flicker Nor Aqmal who suffered a deep gash near his left eye which needed 10 stitchers and spend the night at the hospital.
  UniKL had lost 4-0 to KLHC in Round One, so the reverse was not expected from them.
  However, KLHC coach K. Dharmaraj doused some of their fire when he said that he had given more time to his reserves to prepare for the knock-out.
  "Once we lost to THT (5-1) in Kuala Terengganu and had to chase nine goals, I decided that it would be useless to make a dash for goals against UniKL so in went the reserve goalkeeper (Hakim Adnan) for his first match of the season.
  "I also gave more time to all my bench warmers as for me. For me its simple, if I can't win the title, it is useless to push the players to the limit as we will finish second anyway.
  "This way, the team avoided unnecessary cards and injuries, and I tested some fringe players and one can see from the result how they played," said Dharmaraj.
  THT and KLHC are now the seeded teams, and a draw will be held today to pair the other four teams. The top-two teams receive a bye and about 10 days of rest, while the other four teams play to decide who moves into the semi-finals.

FINAL STANDINGS

P W D L  F     A  Pts

TERENGGANU      10  9 0 1  51    18    27
KLHC            10  8 0 2  31    18    24
TENAGA          10  4 1 5  18    20    13
UNIKL           10  2 3 5  14    26     9
SAPURA          10  1 3 6  17    35     6
MAYBANK         10  0 5 5  16    30     5

First title for THT

TERENGGANU Hockey Team (THT) lifted the Malaysia
Hockey League (MHL) Premier Division League title in
style when they hammered Sapura 9-2 in Kuala
Terengganu yesterday.
  The THT goals were scored by Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin
(eighth), Fitri Saari (ninth), Faizal Saari (14th),
Firhan Ashaari (15th, 49th), Ismail Abu (15th), Seo
Jong Ho (16th), Sobirin Lias (30th), Firhan Ashaari
(49th), and Seo Jong Ho (52nd).
  The Sapura goals were scored by Faridzul Afiq
(third), Khasif Ali (38th).
  "Even though we are only two years old in the MHL, a
solid team display has landed us our first League
title and I am very proud of my players.
  "Now, we will go for the Overall title as well in
the knock-out stage," said THT coach Sarjit Singh.
  Both THT and KLHC are the seeded teams, while the
other four teams will play among each other and the
two winners will enter the semi-finals as well.
Razie Rahim of KLHC and Faizal Saari of THT ended
joint-top scorers in the League with 11 goals each.

 

P W D L  F     A  Pts

TERENGGANU      10  9 0 1  51    18    27
KLHC            10  8 0 2  31    18    24
TENAGA          10  4 1 5  18    20    13
UNIKL           10  2 3 5  14    26     9
SAPURA          10  1 3 6  17    35     6
MAYBANK         10  0 5 5  16    30     5

RESULTS: Terengganu 9 Sapura 2; UniKL 5 KLHC 1; Tenaga
3 Maybank 3.