Maybank captured its maiden Malaysian Indoor Hockey League (MIHL) title following a 4-1 victory over Tenaga Nasional Berhad in the final at the IOI Sports Arena Mall in Putrajaya today.
Led by national indoor hockey team captain Muhammad Najmi Farizal Jazlan, who received the Player of the Match award, Maybank took a 3-0 lead courtesy of a hat-trick by Najmi via penalty corner conversions in the 13th, 21st and 22nd minutes.
National player Muhamad Izham Azhar scored Maybank’s fourth goal in the 30th minute, while Shazril Irwan Nazli converted a penalty corner for TNB in the 33rd minute to reduce the deficit to 4-1.
Maybank, thus, maintained an unbeaten run in the 2024 MIHL. In the preliminary round, Maybank won all seven of its league matches, scoring 52 goals and conceding 12, to go on top of the table standings with 21 points.
“We played our best match in the league in the final. TNB is a good side and we have a lot of respect for our opponents. However, we took our chances early to maintain a strong 4-0 lead,” said Najmi, who scored 20 goals from penalty corner conversions.
He also complimented national senior team goalkeeper Muhamad Zaimi Mat Deris for keeping TNB strikers at bay with a superb performance. Zaimi was among players who competed in the Asian Champion Trophy in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia, China.
He added that the MIHL showcased several talented players who have the potential to be called up for training with the national indoor hockey back-up squad.
The MIHL is an ideal platform for developing players. The league has a strong following with more teams competing. The quality of the league can be described as ‘high level’,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) clawed back from a 2-5 deficit to edge Malaysian Armed Forces 7-6 for the bronze medal.
ROLL OF HONOUR:
Champion: Maybank
Runner-up: Tenaga Nasional Berhad
Third: DBKL HT
Top Scorer: Faridzul Afiq Mohd – 25 Goals (DBKL HT)
Player of the Match: Muhammad Najmi Farizal Jazlan (Maybank)
Best Goalkeeper: Mohamad Hazrul Faiz Ahmad Sobri (DBKL HT)
Fair Play: DBKL HT