Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) will look to capitalise on the ‘advantage’ delivered and set to fine-tune their preparation against JM Antsbees in the TNB-Malaysian Hockey League 2024 at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil tomorrow.
TNB head coach Nor Saiful Zaini said: “There is no holding back for us. The 5-0 victory over UiTM and three points were crucial if wanted to win the league title as well. I am confident we have a very good chance.”
“I am happy with the five goals. UiTM’s defense was tight in the first half and it took the brilliance of Jang (Jong-Hyun) to score two goals to break the ice and unsettle UiTM. After that, we managed to break through.”
The South Korean Jang has scored a total of 15 goals in the League and is the third-highest scorer after Muhammad Azrai Aizad (TNB) and Nurinsafi’s Nur Rahull Hrsikesa Thaitchana Muruthi who have scored 17 goals each.
The 4-4 drawn match result between defending champions and front-runner Terengganu Hockey Team (THT), and Nurinsafi Sporting last Sunday in Bertam, had indeed spoilt the broth for the east coast THT side, leaving TNB to move into the driver’s seat as the highest-ranked team in the tussle for the title.
TNB share 23-equal points with Maybank and THT as the league moves into its final lap tomorrow. While TNB cannot afford a draw but go all out for a big against Antsbees and extend their goal difference margin of 70 goals and superiority, the head-to-head clash between Maybank and THT will only be of academic interest.
Either one of the two teams will settle for second place in the 10-team men’s league.
“Our penalty corner conversion rate is far better this year than last season. Now everything boils down to our last match against JB Antsbees. There is no pressure on TNB at all. We will play our normal game and look for a win,” added Nor Saiful.
In other matches scheduled tomorrow, Kuala Lumpur City, who edged China’s Liaoning team 3-2 to register their second win in nine matches last Sunday, will face Young Elephants’ Pahang (4.0pm), and UiTM-KPT take on Liaoning (4.0pm). Both matches will be played at the National Hockey Stadium Pitch 1 and 2.
