Kuala Lumpur (28 August, 2015): Sapura Hockey Club squeezed out a 3-2 win over Maybank in the second-leg of the TNBMHL Premier Division match at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil today.
Norsyafiq Sumantri opened accounts for Sapura just two minutes into the game with a field goal – his third in the league before Maybank equalised through Muhammad Hafiz Zainol in the 41st minute.
Tai Beng Hai’s Sapura, who finished fifth in the six-team Premier Division last season, than shot ahead 2-1 from Muhammad Zulhairi Hashim’s penalty corner seconds after the Maybank equaliser.
Maybank and Pakistan’s national team goalkeeper Imran Butt was once again beaten in the 50th minute as Azreen Rizal Nasir sneaked through a field goal to extend Sapura’s lead in the 50th minute.
Maybank, however, kept the heat on Sapura and were rewarded two minutes later with a penalty corner goal from Ahmad Kazamirul Nasruddin to close the gap at 3-2 but one that came too late.
It was Sapura’s second win over Maybank in the league after posting a 2-1 victory in the first leg.
Sapura’s head coach, Tai Beng Hai, said: “Basically we are happy to maintain our third position in the league ahead of TNB with this win and will continue this momentum.
“It is always tough playing Maybank as they are a good side. They came back to close the gap at 3-2 in the late stage and that has always been their strength. We are happy to win three points today,” he added.
Beng Hai’s Sapura, who finished fifth in the six-team Premier Division last season, maintained third spot in the table standings with 13 points following this win. However, hot on their heels is Tenaga Nasional Berhad on nine points after seven matches.
TNB face double champions Terengganu Hockey Team at the Batu Buruk Stadium in Kuala Terengganu tomorrow while at the Bukit Jalil National Hockey Stadium, table leaders Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club go into action against basement side Universiti Kuala Lumpur.
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