KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian University (MU) hockey team ended a six-year wait to lift the women’s Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) title after coming from behind to edge CS Mustang HT 2-1 in the last league match yesterday.
In the match played at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil, MU under the guidance of Lailin Abu Hassan were given an early jolt after Nur Irdina Asnida Mohd Yusmi scored a field goal in the 8th minute of play.
However, the lead did not last long as MU managed to equalise four minutes later when National stalwart Nurmaizatul Hamin Syafi Shiek Fuad nailed a penalty corner strike in the 12th minute.
Dian Nursyakira Najwa Al-Wadqa Nazeri became MU’s hero when she scored a field goal in the 23rd minute to ensure her side maintained their unbeaten run in the league and clinch the title on 23 points.
Coach Lailin admitted that his players were not focused at the beginning of the match, thus conceeding an early goal to the side coached by Roshin Nordin but knew his charges had the quality and prowess to make a comeback.
“I hope we can carry the momentum through in search of a treble for the season by winning the Vivian May Soars Trophy after this. The win today will help boost their confidence and serve as a motivation,” he told Bernama.
MU which was previously known as PKS Uniten-KPT had already won their first silverware after winning the Charity Shield at the start of the season after a 3-0 penalty shootout victory over last season’s League Champion Negeri Sembilan since the match had finished 2-2 in regulation time.
Earlier, MU’s closest rival Liaoning Women’s Hockey Team finished as the runner-up with 21 points after beating Mutiara Impian-MSSPP-PSHA, 8-1, in a goal feast at the National Hockey Stadium.
Liaoning was tied on 21 points with PDRM Blue Warriors who beat QNET Phoenix 2-0 at the National Hockey Stadium but Lioning took second place with better goal advantage since the invitation side scored 37 goals against PDRM’s 29. – BERNAMA
