Sapura goalkeeper Nasihin Nubli (right) has not featured for his team since the ping the quarter-finals of the TNB Cup.SAPURA will sorely miss their goalkeeper David James in the final of the TNB Cup as the Welshman has returned home to attend a job interview.
Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) strikers will now face former national goalkeeper Nasihin Nubli, and he is a little rusty for lack of action.
"Nasihin had other commitments after the last League match in Malacca and did not play in the knock-out stage. However, with James out of the picture, he will be back to keep goal," said Sapura coach I. Vickneswaran.
Nasihin is currently the head coach of the national senior women's team, and his commitment with them saw him skip the quarter-finals as well as the semi-finals.
"We are not worried as Nasihin is a good goalkeeper and he has kept himself active even after retirement. He knows what to do, even in penalty corner situations and should be an asset in the final," added Vickneswaran.
At the other end of the pitch will be Roslan Jamaluddin keeping goal for KLHC.
Roslan and Nasihin were brothers-in-arms in the national team a few years back and their rivalry for the No 1 spot saw them keep it for themselves for at least a decade.
"Roslan has kept himself busy with the national team (as No 2 to S. Kumar) in the Asian Games when he was called out of retirement. He has kept himself in shape, and his experience will be vital for us to keep our dream alive," said KLHC coach K. Dharmaraj.
Both goalkeepers will play crucial roles as Sapura have proven penalty corner flicker S. Kuhan, Korean flicker Lim Woo Geun, and Ahmad Kazamirul, while KLHC have Razie Rahim, who proved himself in the League but was a little rusty in the knockout stages.
"Razie has had poor performances in the knockout stage but I am confident he will give a better account of himself in the last match of the season," said Dharmaraj.
