KUALA LUMPUR: Maybank skipper Meor Azuan Hasan is in high spirits for the TNB Cup return leg semi-final against Tenaga Nasional at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil tomorrow after his wife gave birth to a baby boy on Tuesday.
Meor, who marshals the midfield, did not play in the first leg semi-final on Tuesday - Maybank drew 2-2 with Tenaga - as he was given time off to be with his wife at a hospital.
Meor believes that his newly born child will bring his team good fortune in the return leg match.
"We have not qualified for the final since 1999, and I hope my teammates will rise to the occasion and get the better of Tenaga, who are the defending champions," he said.
"All our matches against Tenaga have been touch and go. We can expect another hard time against them as they are good in every department."
The two teams clashed twice in the league, the first match ended in a 1-1 draw while the Tigers narrowly lost 3-2 in the second.
Meor admitted that Tenaga have a psychological advantage due to the league results. "The challenge will be on us to turn the tables on them," he said.
However, Maybank, who finished third in the league, will miss the services of Nur Asyraf Ishak, who suffered a hamstring injury against Tenaga on Tuesday.
Meanwhile Tenaga coach Nor Saiful Zaini said he is happy that Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan is back from injury as his services are needed to organise the defence and deliver goals from penalty corners.
"We can expect a tough match against Maybank as they are solid in defence and they too have penalty corner specialist Razie Rahim."
Reigning league champion Terengganu Hockey Team have virtually sealed a place in the final by outplaying Universiti Teknologi Mara 5-1.
In women's competition, Young Tigresses lost 2-1 to Universiti Tenaga Nasional in the first leg semi-final, but they still have a fighting chance to make the final.
Coach Lailin Abu Hassan said: "We still have 60 minutes in the next match, and I hope my players will make good use of the chances."
Negri Sembilan, who retained the league title, look set to be in the final after beating Terengganu Ladies 4-1 in the first leg.
TOMORROW
Vivian May Soars Cup
2nd leg semi-final: Young Tigresses v KPT Uniten Thunder (6pm), Terengganu Ladies v Negri Sembilan (6pm).
TNB Cup
2nd leg semi-final: Maybank v Tenaga Nasional (8pm), UITM HA-KPT v Terengganu (8pm).
All matches at National Hockey Stadium