KUALA LUMPUR: Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) will have a hard time hanging on to their three titles in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) which begins tomorrow.
That is because the opponents are getting stronger and look capable of usurping THT's throne.
In fact, Tenaga Nasional, who have powered up their team by signing South Korean drag flick king, Jang Jong Hyun, and armed with 10 national players, have declared their intention to capture three titles this season.
Tenaga boldly said they have targeted three titles, meaning they want to take all the titles away from THT.
"We are serious in our bid to win all the three titles in the MHL with the presence of Jong Hyun and 10 national players," said Tenaga coach Nor Saiful Zaini.
THT will not only have to deal with Tenaga. Looming ominously are debutants China's Liaoning, who are powered by 10 national players.
Regarding Jong Hyun, THT's loss is Tenaga's gain. The Korean was the MHL's top scorer in 2020 with 23 goals for THT, and last year he was the second highest with 29 goals for the East coast team.
THT also have good reason to be wary of Liaoning. After all, China stunned Malaysia 3-2 in an Olympic qualifier in Muscat, Oman, recently. Liaoning will also make their debut in the MHL women's league.
Last season, THT won the Charity Shield, Premier League and TNB (overall) Cup after defeating Tenaga 2-1 in the final.
THT's national goalkeeper Hafizuddin Othman said they have lost two key players - national captain Marhan Jalil and national forward Shello Silverius - to Tenaga this season.
THT still have three national players for the new season in midfielder Abdul Khaliq Hamirin and the Saari brothers - forward Faizal and midfielder Fitri.
THT have also roped in two South Korea national players - Jung Man Jae and Kim Jung Hoo.
Hafizuddin admitted that THT will not only face a strong challenge from Tenaga but also from Liaoning.
"Liaoning is the top club in China and they are powered by 10 national players, and their consultant is renowned Korean coach Kim Sang Ryul," he said.
The teams making their debut in the men's Premier League are Jiwa Mohan Antsbees, Young Elephants of Pahang and Kuala Lumpur City. The other participants are Maybank, Nurinsafi Sporting, Armed Forces, TNB Thunderbolts and UiTM HA-KPT.
Former champions Maybank and UiTM look capable of putting up a strong presence in the MHL.
MHL FIXTURES
TOMORROW
Women's League
KL City v CS Mustang (4pm, Bukit Jalil, pitch 1); Mutiara Impian v MSP-PHP-SSNP (5pm, Bertam); N. Sembilan v PDRM Blue Warriors (5pm, Seremban); Malaysian University v QNET Phoenix (6pm, Bukit Jalil, Pitch 1); Liaoning Club v Kedah (6pm, Bukit Jali, pitch 2).
FRIDAY
Men's Premier League
Young Elephants v UiTM (5pm, Wisma Belia, Kuantan); Nurinsafi Sporting v ATM (6pm in Bertam); Liaoning Club v TNB Thunderbolts (6pm, Bukit Jalil, Pitch 1); Maybank v Tenaga Nasional (6pm, Bukit Jalil, pitch 2); JM Antbees v KL City (8pm, Bertam).