Welcome to the Fieldhockey.com Archives

All the news for Sunday 23 December 2018

Haier Hockey Series Open, Pakistan, 2018 - Final day
Lahore (PAK)

Result 22 December

KAZ v UZB (RR)     2 - 6

Final Pool standings

FIH Match Centre

Uzbekistan win FIH Hockey Open series


Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan players involved in a goalmouth scramble during their match of the FIH Haier Hockey Open Series at the National Hockey Stadium on Saturday - M. Arif/White Star

LAHORE: Ruslan Karimov starred with two goals and two assists as favourites Uzbekistan thrashed Kazakhstan 6-2 to win the FIH Haier Hockey Open series at the National Hockey Stadium on Saturday.

Needing just a draw in the last match of the four-nation, single league tournament also featuring Nepal and Afghanistan thanks to their better goal difference, the Uzbeks went even better despite falling behind early on against the Kazakhs.

Nurbol Kozhym converted a second penalty corner in quick succession to give Kazakhstan the lead in the 18th minute but Uzbekistan swiftly levelled matters via the same route through Khakimov.

Karimov finished a good move to give Uzbekistan the lead three minutes before half-time and made it 3-1 in the 36th, dribbling past three defenders before slotting in.
Article continues after ad

He then turned supplier two minutes later, providing Khayboev with a beautiful pass to increase Uzbekistan’s lead.

Kazakhstan responded immediately, pulling a goal back when Tilek Uzbek dived to turn in Daulet Urmanov’s pass.

Karimov then set up Oybek Nazarov to make it 5-1, with Nazarov completing the scoring after a penalty corner.

Dawn

Uzbekistan win FIH Hockey series



LAHORE - Favourites Uzbekistan lived up to the expectations and won the FIH Haier Hockey series outplaying Kazakhstan with a firm 6-2 victory here on Saturday at the National Hockey Stadium.

In the last match of the 4-nation single league, the winners proved too good for their opponents and outclassed them in all departments of the game on a cold day with an easy win to their credit.

Both the teams had won their matches against the other two sides, Nepal and Afghanistan, in the competition. So this match was a virtual final. As Uzbekistan had a better goal difference, they only required a draw to lift the trophy.

Uzbekistan were easily the better side in the first quarter when they did everything other than scoring. A number of open play chances were squandered. In the early phase of the second quarter, surprisingly Kazakhstan went ahead.

They earned two penalty corners and went ahead via the second through Nurbol Kozhym in the 18th minute, the Uzbeks equalised through the same route as Khakimov converted a penalty corner.

Three minutes, before the change of the sides, Uzbekistan’s brilliant forward Karimov Ruslan made it 2-1 finishing a good combined move.Uzbekistan led 2-1 at the half time.

In the 36th minute, Ruslan scored one of the finest goals of this event. In a remarkable dribbling run, he eliminated three players before slotting it in. Within two minutes, it was 4-1 as on a beautiful Ruslan pass, Khaytboev applied a good finish.

Kazakhstan immediately reduced the margin. Their captain Daulet Urmanov in an exhilarating run covered almost half the pitch, going past a number of defenders. Well inside the opponent’s circle he sent a parallel ball which was put in by diving Tilek Uzbek.  Irresistible Ruslan created another goal. After a double 1-2 with Ruslan, Nazarov sent it past the Kazakh goal-keeper.

Kazakhstan had the best opportunity to make it 3-5 just before the end of the third quarter but Yermik Tashkeyev wasted the penalty stroke.

In the last quarter, off a penalty corner variation, Nazarov had his second and Uzbekistan’s sixth goal. Karimov Roslan of Uzbekistan was named man of the final.

Tayyab Ikram, CEO of Asian Hockey Federation was the chief guest on the occasion and put gold medals around the necks of the members of the winning Uzbekistan team. Also present were former President, Pakistan Hockey Federation, Akhtar Rasool and Secretary PHF, Shahbaz Ahmad.

Fair Play trophy was awarded to Afghanistan while Golib Kalandarov (Uzbekistan) was named player of the tournament, Yerassyl Ashkatov (Kazakhstan) best goal keeper:  Karimov Roslan of Uzbekistan remained the top goal scorer of the event.

Earlier, Pakistan President XI, the ‘Guest Team’ won its last friendly match defeating Afghanistan 11-0 .The hosts comprising young upcoming players easily won all the matches against the four visiting team.

The Nation

Uzbekistan thrash Kazakhstan to win Hockey Series Open



LAHORE: Uzbekistan emerged winners of the Pakistan leg of the first round of the Haier-FIH Hockey Series Open here on Saturday.

In the last match of the 4-nation single league at the National Hockey Stadium, Lahore, Uzbekistan had an easy 6-2 win over Kazakhstan in the end.

Both the teams had won their matches against the other two sides, Nepal and Afghanistan, in the competition. So this match was a virtual final. As Uzbekistan had a better goal difference, they only required a draw to lift the trophy.

Uzbekistan were easily the better side in the first quarter when they did everything other than scoring. A number of open play chances were squandered.

In the early phase of the second quarter, surprisingly Kazakhstan went ahead. They earned two penalty corners and went ahead via the second through Nurbol Kozhym in the 18th minute, the Uzbeks equalised through the same route as Khakimov converted a PC. Three minutes, before the change of the sides, Uzbekistan’s brilliant forward Karimov Ruslan made it 2-1 finishing a good combined move.

In the 36th minute, Ruslan scored one of the finest goals of this event. In a remarkable dribbling run, he eliminated three players before slotting it in.

Within two minutes, it was 4-1 as on a beautiful Ruslan pass, Khaytboev applied a good finish. Kazakhstan immediately reduced the margin.

Their captain Daulet Urmanov in an exhilarating run covered almost half the pitch, going past a number of defenders. Well inside the opponent’s circle he sent a parallel ball which was put in by diving Tilek Uzbek.

Irresistible Ruslan created another goal. After a double 1-2 with Ruslan, Nazarov sent it past the Kazakh goal keeper.

Kazakhstan had the best opportunity to make it 3-5 just before the end of the third quarter but Yermik Tashkeyev wasted the penalty stroke.

In the last quarter, off a penalty corner variation, Nazarov had his second and Uzbekistan’s sixth goal.

Chief guest Tayyab Ikram, CEO of Asian Hockey Federation, gave gold medals to the members of the winning Uzbekistan team.

The Daily Times

2018 Indoor Test Matches: BEL v SUI (M) - 1st Test
Belgium

Result 22 December

BEL v SUI     5 - 5 (3 - 1)

2018 Indoor Test Matches: BEL v SUI (W) - 1st Test
Belgium

Result 22 December

BEL v SUI     4 - 3 (1 - 1)

FIH Match Centre

Telkom Kenya win Africa Club Championships

By BRIAN OTWAL

Telkom Kenya on Saturday reclaimed the Africa Hockey Club Championships title with a hard-fought 2-0 win over champions Ghana Revenue Authority in Abuja, Nigeria.

The record Kenyan champions extended their continental dominance to 10 titles, after upstaging GRA - who had beaten Telkom 1-0 in the final last yer in Accra. The Ghanaians had also beaten Telkom by a solitary goal in their last match of the round robin format on Thursday.

Jackline Mwangi struck the opener in the first quarter before Audrey Omaido added the second in the second quarter to give Jos Openda's Telkom the breathing space they needed. The Kenyan giants retreated to defending their two-goal margin in the last 30 minutes of the encounter.

“Last year, the Cup left Kenya, but now it is back, so its like the Cup never left. The players played according to instructions, and as I said, we’d rather lose in the preliminary round than the final,” said Openda, who has won six African titles with Telkom.

“Telkom won because they took their chances, something my team did not. The difference between the two teams. GRA did not take their chances and they deservedly have the trophy now,” said GRA coach Boakyu Yaibom.

The men’s final between 21-time champions El-Sharkia and Ghana Revenue Authority was still on at press time.

Kenya’s other representatives USIU Spartans will carry more lessons from the tournament after finishing fourth. The debutants fell to Ghana Police in the third place playoff 2-0 with the Ghanaians bagging Bronze.

Umaru Nafiosatu scored both goals, adding her tally to seven goals to top the scorers chart.

“The tournament has indeed brought the best out of the girls and the lessons learnt will carry them to the national league,” said USIU Spartans team manager John Kabuu.

Eastern Company from Egypt beat Exchequers of Ghana to win the bronze medal in the men’s clash.

Delta Queens beat Kada Queens 3-2 in the fifth and sixth place playoff, while Niger Flickers saw off Kada Stars 3-2 to finish fifth in the men’s playoff.

Daily Nation

Telkom beat Ghana's GRA to reclaim Africa title

By Elizabeth Mburugu

Telkom yesterday recaptured hockey Africa Cup of Club championships (ACCC) crown with a convincing 2-0 win over arch-rivals Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) at Abuja National Stadium, Nigeria.

It was sweet revenge for the Kenyan girls as the Ghanaians had snatched the title early in the year in Accra, Ghana. The victory saw Africa's most decorated club bag their tenth trophy and regain their place at the helm of continental women's club hockey. Veteran Jackiline Mwangi and Audrey Omaido's second and third quarter goals were all Telkom needed to exact revenge on the GRA who had beaten them 1-0 in the finals in Accra.

Despite losing to GRA by a solitary goal in their preliminary match played on Thursday evening, the Kenyans bounced back to hit the Ghanaians hard when it mattered most. Telkom coach Jos Openda said that their success was as a result of his charges sticking to their game plan and playing according to instructions.

"It is like the trophy never left Kenya because it is less than a year since we lost to GRA. I must commend the girls for a job well done because they played according to instructions. When we lost to them (GRA) in the round robin match, I told them not to dwell much on the loss but rather focus on the most important match and make the best out if it and I'm glad we accomplished our mission," Openda said.

Elsewhere, United States International University of Africa (USIU-A) Spartans finished fourth after losing 2-0 to Ghana Police in the women's bronze medal battle. Ghana international Nafisatu Umaru was once again taunted the Kenyan students scoring twice to deny the students a podium finish in their debut.

The Standard Digital

Belgium: The new hockey powerhouse

By K. Shahid

The triumph might’ve come in the most atypical of circumstances, with the first ever 0-0 draw in a World Cup final resulting in an absolute thriller of a penalty shootout, but Sunday’s World Cup win in Bhubaneswar has reaffirmed Belgium as the best side in the world.

Belgium had lost out to Argentina in the 2016 Olympics final, in what was a battle of the first-timers, and made it back to back silver medals at major events at the 2017 Euro Championship. And with Argentina conquering the Olympics and Belgium the World Cup – maiden major triumphs for both sides – champions are emerging in the sport outside of the usual suspects.

However, silver and gold in the two biggest events mean that Belgium sit at the summit as the new powerhouse of hockey.

Before the 2013 Euro Championship, Belgium had never played a major final. In fact, one has to go all the way back to 1920 for their only podium finish at the 1920 Olympics which were held in Belgium.

Belgian hockey’s rise to the top of the game is a result of a systematic reform and long-term planning that have delivered the results in recent years.

In addition to the 2013 European Championship, the signs of Belgium growing at the global stage were evident at the 2014 World Cup, when they looked a lot better than the eventual fifth-place finish. Being drawn with the then unstoppable and eventual champions Australia, Belgium lost to England 3-2 in their final group game owing to a 66th-minute Iain Lewers’ goal.

At the 2016 Olympics, Belgium beat Australia and easily overcame the likes of Great Britain and Spain in their pool, followed by back to back 3-1 wins against India and Netherlands in the quarters and semis, before losing out to the Argentinians in the final.

Belgium entered the World Cup as one of the favourites, but the dearth of a glittering tradition meant that the focus was on the historically bigger names. They would eventually overcome a few of them en route to their maiden gold medal.

Belgium’s World Cup didn’t get off to the perfect start as they drew with India 2-2 despite taking an early lead. That allowed India to eventually top the group that featured Canada and South Africa on goal difference.

That, for Belgium, meant a crossover contest where they played Pakistan. The four-time world champions, who still keep their position as the most successful World Cup side after neither Australia nor Netherlands could add to their three gold medals each, were swept away 5-0 to underscore the diverging strides Belgium and Pakistan have been taking in the sport.

The second hockey big name that Belgium outdid was Germany in the quarterfinals in a closely contested match that ended 2-1 in their favour. Belgium’s win in the quarters meant that three of the four pool winners – Argentina, Germany and India – were knocked out in the last eight by teams that had to come through the crossovers, perhaps signaling that the additional matchup proved to be an advantage and not a disadvantage in this year’s World Cup format.

In the semifinal, they faced an England side that had just knocked out the reigning Olympics champions Argentina in the quarterfinals. The 6-0 mauling of England gave Belgium all the momentum they needed for the final, as they looked on to the second semifinal between Netherlands and Australia.

Australia and Netherlands had contested the 2014 World Cup final. Between the two, they have three World Cups each, which is second only to Pakistan’s tally of four. While the shootout in the final was perhaps the most thrilling of all time – thanks in part to technology – the one in the semifinal was pretty enthralling as well. You won’t see too many better penalty shoots than the one by young Thijs van Dam who scored with a spin to keep Netherlands alive.

Unfortunately, van Dan missed the crucial fifth penalty in the final, which could’ve won Netherlands the World Cup. While the 0-0 final was a cagey affair, with neither side willing to commit too much forward and both wary of making the decisive mistake, it was still tactical European hockey at its finest – even if it didn’t produce too many circle penetrations on the given day.

With the Champions Trophy now defunct, the sport is set to introduce the Hockey Pro League. The six-month league that would run from January to June featuring nine top sides. These include Pakistan who will be playing their ‘home’ matches in Argentina, Belgium, England, Germany and the Netherlands.

After faring supremely well in the global events, it would be interesting to see how Belgium perform in this longer league format, with the semis between the top four and the final to be played in the Netherlands in June.

Needless to say, the world champions would be the favourites, followed by the chasing pack that now features the likes of the Netherlands, Argentina, Australia, Germany and England.

The News International

2018 Odisha HWC Analysis From India’s point of view only.

By Shiv Jagday

Introduction:

The 2018 Odisha Hockey World Cup is over. We have brand-new world champions, Belgium. A well-deserved one too.

No Pakistani player included for FIH awards

By MIAN ASGHAR SALEEMI


NO PAKISTANI INCLUDED: Belgium, England, Australia, and the Netherlands’ players dominate the voting list issued by the International Hockey Federation. PHOTO COURTESY: ASIAN HOCKEY FEDERATION

LAHORE: One more unfortunate news from the hockey circles as none of the Pakistan hockey players could secure a place in the FIH player, goalkeeper of the year and rising star of the year voting.

Pakistani officials are also not in sight in coach and umpire categories even.

Belgium, England, Australia, and the Netherlands’ players dominate the voting list issued by the International Hockey Federation.

According to details, four-time world hockey champions Pakistani team’s performance as usual remained deteriorating, in the recent Hockey World Cup played in India.

Out of the 16 participating teams, the Pakistani team finished on the 12th spot.

Astonishingly, not even one Pakistani umpire was included in this mega event.

Now FIH has issued player, goalkeeper and rising star of the year list in which none of the Pakistani players have been nominated. From this, what talent the green shirts had can be deduced.

The players nominated in FIH’s list hail from Belgium, Holland, England and Australia. These players include Billy Baker, Simon Gongerd, Barry Middleton and Veton.

Three goalkeepers have been nominated for FIH goalkeeper of the year and these players also come from Australia, England and Holland. These players include Premien Block, Tailor Lowel, George Penner.

FIH rising star of the year include Australia, Belgium and Holland players. These players include Tim Brand, Arthur De Silver, Jack Harvey.

According to FIH rankings, Belgium has the top spot, Australia stand second, Holland third, Argentine fourth, India fifth, Germany sixth, England seventh, New Zealand eighth, Spain ninth, Canada 10th, Ireland 11th and Pakistan is on the 12th position.

The Express Tribune

‘Even 10 PHF secretaries, 20 coaches cannot lift Pakistan hockey’

Mohammad Yaqoob



LAHORE: Visibly disappointed over the current state of national hockey affairs, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary and former Olympian Shahbaz Ahmed said on Saturday that no one can single-handedly rescue it from its decline and collective efforts are needed from all stakeholders to keep the game alive in the country.

Talking to reporters after the prize distribution of the four-nation FIH Hockey Series at the National Hockey Stadium here, Shahbaz said: “It is all blame-game at the moment but it will not serve any purpose as all stakeholders must join hands to keep the game alive in the country.”

“Bring 10 secretaries like me for the PHF and 20 coaches, but no one can change the fate of the game in Pakistan if we will not have the atmosphere to match the standard of the world hockey,” Shahbaz said.

“We cannot provide nourishing diet to our players and there is also uncertainty whether the players would get their daily allowances or not. The new Inter-provincial ministry has been working for the last four months but the PHF could not hold even a single meeting with it. So what are you talking about betterment in hockey,” lamented Shahbaz while accepting that his three-year tenure just could not alter the fate of the game as basic problems still existed.
Article continues after ad

To a question that last head coach Tauqir Dar had suggested the PHF to hire foreign coach, Shahbaz said no doubt Tauqir in a short period of his 20-day assignment with the national side for the World Cup tried his best to boost the morale of the players. “Unless and until Pakistan hockey overcomes its local problems, no foreign coach can serve the purpose here,” he observed.

Shahbaz added that neither Hasan Sardar nor anyone else could bring any major change in the techniques of the players without having a proper system in place. “Olympian Hasan was appointed as manager and as head coach because he was a role model for the Pakistan team. Unfortunately it did not have the desired effect on the team.”

He said though Pakistani players were good in basic skills, they lacked temperament and confidence which they could only earn through high-class competitive matches. “ But at the moment, Pakistan is also facing problems in arranging matches against top teams,” he admitted.

“Army is the strong entity of the country just because it has established proper infrastructure but we have no hockey grounds and now the youth is not showing much interest in playing hockey. Even my children don’t like to even see or play hockey,” confessed Shahbaz.

When reminded that Pakistan captain Rizwan Senior had held the PHF responsible for the poor results in the recently concluded World Cup-2018, Shahbaz said he would wait till the manager’s report before making any comment on it. But he said it was all blame-game and it was not the solution to the current situation.

To a question, Shahbaz said the same situation was also facing squash where two of the game’s biggest players — legendary Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan — could not change the fate of the game in Pakistan as qualified coaches and a proper system was needed.

“We can bring improvement in hockey gradually. We also need at least four academies having accommodation facilities for the players. We need to bring big improvement in the fitness level of players. Their test level is around 19 to 20 while Australian and European players are touching fitness standard to the levels of 24 to 33. Until we touch that fitness level we can not perform,” he emphasised.

He expressed confidence that the forthcoming hockey league could prove to be a game changer for Pakistan hockey but for that to go off the ground, the PHF required Rs30 million to 40 million every year.

“Until PHF gets sound financial resources regularly it will be hard to meet the expenses of the senior and junior teams,” stressed Shahbaz. “I don’t want to tell the Indian hockey budget but their players are earning between Rs8 to 9 million annually while Pakistani players have to play league hockey abroad to earn good money.’

To a question, the secretary thanked the FIH for allowing PHF to play its home and away matches of the Pro-Hockey League, starting from February, at the same venue and it would save some of PHF’s expenses. Pakistan have to play Argentina in the first round of the newly-introduced league hockey in Argentina and then it will also play host for the home series.

He also thanked the FIH for allotting the Hockey Series to Pakistan and he expressed hope that in April, Poland’s team would also visit Pakistan. He said the Hockey Series event would play a positive role in getting more international hockey matches at home.

Dawn

UniKL announce big signings for MHL

By Naqib Nor Said

KUALA LUMPUR: Robbert Kemperman of the Netherlands is among the six foreign players who will represent Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) in the Malaysian Hockey League (MHL), which starts with the knockout competition on Jan 3.

Dutchmen Valentine Verga and Martijn Havenga, along with Irish goalkeeper David Harte, Australia’s Kieran Govers and Tim Deavin make up UniKL’s foreign signings.

Kemperman and Verga were in the Dutch team who lost to Belgium in the final of the recent World Cup in India.

The Dutch players have received their non-objection certificates from their national association to play in the MHL.

The club, who won the overall title last year, have also secured the services of penalty corner specialist Razie Rahim and national captain Shukri Mutalib.

The duo played for KL Hockey Club (KLHC) last season.

UniKL will take on Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) in the MHL’s Premier League charity shield match on Jan 10.

Coach Arul Selvaraj said: “All six foreign players received the necessary clearance, but they will only join us after the P. Alagendra Trophy, which starts on Jan 3.”

UniKL have parted ways with five players for the new season, one being S. Selvarajoo and the other, current international Joel Samuel Van Huizen.

New Straits Times

Mixture of young and old to spearhead Tenaga’s challenge in the league

By Aftar Singh

KUALA LUMPUR: Tenaga Nasional are reaping the fruits of their labour from their hockey development programmes.

Malaysia won their first ever Youth Olympics Games (YOG) gold medal in the Buenos Aires in October and eight of the players are from Tenaga’s stable.

And six of them from the victorious team will feature for Tenaga in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL), which begins on Jan 3.

Three players, forward Muhd Akhimullah Anuar Esook (top scorer in the YOG with 22 goals), Syarman Mat Tee and Muhd Noor Firdaus Rosdi will be playing in the MHL for Tenaga a second consecutive time next season.

Three others from the YOG team – goalkeeper Che Shahrul Azmi Che Saupi, Muhd Amirul Hamizan Azahar and Muhd Arif Syafie Ishak will be making their debut for Tenaga.

Besides the six players, Tenaga are powered by 10 national players and eight of them played in the World Cup in Bhubaneswar, India, which ended last week.

The eight who featured in World Cup are goalkeeper S. Kumar, defenders Faiz Helmi Jali and Mohd Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan and forwards Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Tengku Jalil, Muhd Firhan Ashari, Norsyafiq Sumantri, Mohd Ramadan Rosli and Nik Mohd Aiman Nik Rozemi.

The two players, who were dropped from the World Cup squad due to injuries are midfielder Muhd Amirol Aideed Mohd Arshad and forward Mohd Shahril Saabah.

Tenaga coach Nor Saiful Zaini said they have a well balanced team of junior and senior players to put up a strong challenge in the MHL.

“Our juniors development programmes have produced calibre players and we can look forward to producing more players in the future.

“We had eight players from our development programme who played in the Youth Olympics Games and we are happy with our programme,” said the former international.

He added that their mission in the MHL is to win one of three titles in 2019.

“We have not won any title for the last few years but believe that we have a solid team of local players to give the other teams a run for their money,” said Nor Saiful.

Seven team will feature in the Premier League and the other six teams are Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL), Terengganu, Maybank, Nur Insafi, TNB-Thunderbolt and Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM).

Tenaga finished third in the Premier Division this year and they also finished third in the TNB Cup knockout stage.

In the Tan Sri P. Alagendra Cup, Tenaga lost to Terengganu 1-3 in the semi-finals.

The Star of Malaysia

Vickneswaran wants to keep Terengganu victors in the MHL

KUALA LUMPUR: Former international I. Vickneswaran is back as a coach and this time he’s in charge of Terengganu for the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) starting on Jan 3.

And Vickneswaran, who last coached KL Hockey Club (KLHC) in the MHL in 2014, is relishing the challenge of keeping the East coast team a silverware-winning outfit.

Terengganu have bagged nine titles in the last five years while under former national coach Sarjit Singh.

They’ve won the Premier Division four times in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018, the overall title (TNB Cup) four times in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 and the Tan Sri P. Alagendra Cup once in 2017.

Vickneswaran, an ex-international, said his immediate challenge would be to help Terengganu win one of the three titles next year.

“We’ve lost the services of the world’s best penalty corner drag flicker Gonzalo Peillat (of Argentina), who was the top scorer in 2018 with 16 goals.

“However, I’ll do my utmost as a coach to guide the East coast team to finish at the top,” said Vickneswaran.

He stressed that Terengganu are the last among the seven teams featuring in the league to start training.

“We only started training on Thursday and we’ve signed six foreign players, but they will only arrive at the end of this month or the first week of January,” added Vickneswaran.

Terengganu have retained two foreigners, who played for them last season – Pablo Xavier Travisan of Argentina and Pakistan’s Ahmad Shakeel Butt.

South Korean Jang Jong-hyun, who played for KLHC last season, are among Terengganu’s new signings.

Daniel Kyriakides of Wales, Ganzalo Merino of Argentina and Korean Jung Man-jae make up the other imports.

Terengganu will also be powered by the Fitri brothers – Fitri and Faizal – who featured in the Hockey World Cup in India with Malaysia.

Vickneswaran said Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) would be the team to beat in the league as they boast six world-class foreign players.

“UniKL also have quality national players and they look to be in good form to win titles,” said Vickneswaran, who coached UniKL when they made their debut in the MHL in 2009.

Vickneswaran coached UniKL for one season before he joined Sapura in 2010 until 2012.

UniKL have signed three Dutchmen – Robbert Kemperman, Martijn Havenga and Valentin Verga.

Kemperman and Verga played for Holland in the recent World Cup where they finished runners-up to Belgium.

UniKL have retained goalkeeper David Harte of Ireland and two Australians – midfielder Timothy Deavin and forward Keiren Govers.

Terengganu open their campaign against Nur Insafi in the Tan Sri P. Alagendra Cup on Jan 3.

The Star of Malaysia