KUALA Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) are just one match away from lifting their sixth League title, provided they don't collapse big time in their next three matches.
But on paper, it looks almost impossible for them to lose the title, as they only have to pull off one win against Nur Insafi or Armed Forces-Airod next weekend, and the title will be theirs with a match to spare against Charity Shield holders Tenaga Nasional.
The club evolved from Ernst & Young, who won three League titles, while under the KLHC banner for the leat two seasons, they have won back-to-back to their credit.
KLHC coach K. Dharmaraj is confident his charges will not collapse at the finish line.
"I believe the title is ours, as we have three matches in hand, and only need three points. We will work to seal the title next weekend, and take it easy when we play Tenaga Nasional at the Malacca Stadium," said Dharmaraj.
With the title almost in the bag, Dharmaraj has already started planning for the quarter-finals to lay his hands on the TNB Cup.
This is where KLHC are a jinxed team, as they entered six Overall finals, but only have one title to show under the Ernet & Young banner, while they ended up as bridesmaid five times.
"Somehow, my players tend to freeze in the knock-out stages, and this is what I will work on, to improve in the next three matches.
"The strikers, as well as our penalty corner flicker have been on an upward trend, and I believe they will keep the momentum in the knock-out stage as well," said Dharmaraj.
KLHC have scored 60 goals and let in only 19, with their penalty corner flicker Razie Rahim contributing 13.
So, it looks like it will be a holiday in Malacca for KLHC, as they are touted to lift the title this weekend itself.
In Division One, Armed Forces Juniors emerged as League champions with two matches to spare when they beat Bandar Penawar Sports Sports School 3-1 yesterday.
The title came with promotion to Premier Division, and a spot in the quarter-finals.
Army's goals were scored by Shukri Aziz (43th), Szuhairi Aziz (49th) and Hanip Che Halim (52nd). The BPSS goal was scored by Shahril Saabah (eighth).
RESULTS -- DIVISION ONE: Ipoh City Hall 0 Universiti Sains Malaysia 3, UniTen 2 Bukit Jalil Sports School 2, Armed Forces Jnrs 3 Bandar Penawar Sports School 1.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pt
ATM JNR 10 9 1 0 27 7 28
BPSS 9 5 0 4 16 15 15
MALACCA CC 10 5 0 5 14 12 15
IPOH CH 11 4 2 5 18 23 14
BJSS 9 4 1 4 19 13 13
USM 10 3 0 7 16 28 9
UNITEN 9 1 2 6 9 21 5
