KUALA LUMPUR: TNB Thunderbolts have been on the receiving end in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL), but team consultant Nor Saiful Zaini is the least worried.
Triple Olympian Nor Saiful, who also coaches the Tenaga Nasional team, said it's because Thunderbolts had released 20 players to Young Tigers.
Young Tigers are the national Under-21 side preparing for the Kuala Lumpur Junior World Cup in December.
"Thunderbolts released 20 players to Young Tigers this season, and they are improving with every match.
"As for Thunderbolts, we had to inject 14 youth and even though I am not happy with their progress so far, I believe this set of players will be much stronger next season with the experience gained in the ongoing MHL," said Nor Saiful.
Thunderbolts had played eight matches, and only won one, against table proppers NurInsafi Sporing (5-4) while drawing one and losing six.
On Tenaga Nasional, Nor Saiful said injuries have made it difficult for him to substitute players especially in crucial matches against Terengganu HT, Maybank and Young Tigers.
"It is becoming increasingly difficult to make running substitutions during top matches because three of my players are injured, and so the rest have to carry extra load," said Nor Saiful.
One of the biggest blows to Tenaga was when they lost penalty corner specialist Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan for the rest of the season due to a broken left wrist.
Terengganu HT top the standings on 21 points, while Tenaga are snapping at their heels on 19 points after eight matches each.
"We can't afford even one more injury, and also yellow cards in our second round matches as it has been our biggest problem this season.
"During some of the matches we lost 10 to 15 minutes to players picking up yellow cards, and it has made a big difference in the scoreline. So hopefully, no more injuries and yellow cards in the remaining matches," said Nor Saiful.
TOMORROW
Men: Tenaga Nasional v Armed Forces (National Stadium I, 6pm), TNB Thunderbolts v Terengganu HT (National Stadium II, 6pm), Young Tigers v NurInsafi Sporting (National Stadium I, 8pm), Maybank v UiTM HA (National Stadium II, 8pm)