KUALA LUMPUR: Hafizuddin Othman proved his credentials as the nation's top goalkeeper by helping Terengganu edge Tenaga Nasional 2-1 in Saturday's Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) Charity Shield match in Bukit Jalil.
The 33-year-old, a father of two, made his first appearance since suffering a shoulder injury during Malaysia's Nations Cup campaign in Poland last June.
Tenaga, featuring nine national players, took the lead in the 27th minute with a penalty stroke converted by former South Korean star Jang Jong Hyun at the National Hockey Stadium.
However, Terengganu, the treble winners of 2023, equalised three minutes later through national forward Faizal Saari.
The East Coast team sealed their victory in the 42nd minute when Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin Tengku Abdul Jalil found the net from a penalty corner set piece.
Hafizuddin, who has played for Terengganu since 2014, said he was delighted to have thwarted Tenaga's attempts to score.
"I am particularly happy with our defending. I managed to stop Jong Hyun from scoring from penalty corners," said Hafizuddin, who has earned 105 caps.
"I was out of action for six months due to a shoulder injury, and I need to prove myself in every match in the MHL to regain my place in the national team.
"My dream is to play for the Speedy Tigers until the 2026 Nagoya Asian Games."