KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UniTen-KPT) were lucky to edge Terengganu Ladies HT 1-0 in the Women's Malaysia Hockey League (WMHL) today.
League leaders UniTen were made to sweat for 56 minutes by fourth placed Terengganu HT before national player Nur Hafizah Maznan scored the winner via a field goal.
UniTen now hold a three point lead in the league's title chase.
It was almost the same script for second placed Negri Sembilan who were initially held 1-1 with CS Hockey Team before carving out a hard fought 4-1 win.
Negri's goals were scored by Nuraini Rashid (second minute, 50th) and Nuramirah Shakirah (15th, 39th) who are both national players.
The CS Hockey Team goal was delivered by Nur Amirah Jasmi in the 12th minute.
Negri coach K. Rajan, who has seven national players in his side, said overconfidence played a big role.
Negri and UniTen are heading for a final showdown on March 12 to decide who lifts the league title.
"We have been very inconsistent in the second round and are now left chasing UniTen for the league title. I believe its because overconfidence has crept into my players," said Rajan.
Negri drew 3-3 with Terengganu Ladies and lost 4-3 to Young Tigress to place them in a difficult position after a good run in the first leg.
Negri trail UniTen by three points but have a better goals average. Negri will either lift the league title or blow it on March 12 on their home turf in Seremban II.
"We meet Mutiara Impian first before playing UniTen for a win to secure the League title on goals average. There is no more room for slip-ups and overconfidence from my players," added Rajan.
Young Tigress hammered Mutiara Impian 8-0 today and Negri should be able to hit a high score as well.
As for Uniten, they play CS Hockey Team before meeting Negri in their final League match.
During the Charity Shield, Negri and UniTen played to a 1-1 draw and Rajan's side won the Shield after winning the shoot-out 2-1.
RESULTS:
WOMEN: Terengganu Ladies 0 KPT-UniTen 1, Mutiara Impian 0 Young Tigress 8, Negri Sembilan 4 CS Hockey Team 1.