UNIVERSITI Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) upset the form book with a 4-1 win over newly-crowned Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) Premier Division champions.
Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) in the semi-final first leg of the TNB Cup at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Sunday.
In the other semi-final, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) edged Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) 3-2 at the same venue.
UniKL sealed the match with goals from Kieran Govers (13th minute), Jeroen Hertzberger (32nd and 48th) and Glenn Turner (41st) while Joaqin Menini (51st) replied for THT.
UniKL coach Arul Selvaraj said: “My players did everything right today.”
“It is a healthy lead going into the return leg on Wednesday.
“We need to be composed to maintain this lead," said Arul.
It was UniKL's first win over THT this season.
For the record, UniKL have never reached the final of the TNB Cup since their first appearance in 2011.
As for THT coach Sarjit Singh, he believes his players have what it takes to overturn the result on Wednesday.
"UniKL played well and they could have won by a bigger margin today.
“However, it is not impossible to overturn the margin in modern hockey.
“I believe my players have the capability to return stronger.
“We need to score an early goal in the return leg to bounce back,” said Sarjit.
Fixtures
Wednesday
TNB Cup semi-finals (return leg) — TNB v KLHC (6pm), UniKL v THT (8.30pm)
* matches at National Hockey Stadium (Pitch Two)