KUALA LUMPUR: Maybank have a number of skilled and reliable players, but their conversion of chances into goals has not been effective in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL).
The Tigers, powered by two Australian players, Govers Kieran Ian and Hayes Jack Peter, and three national players, defeated Armed Forces 3-1 in the opening match but narrowly lost 2-1 to Charity Shield champions Terengganu in the second match.
Tomorrow the Tigers will face the Liaoning team from China, coached by Kim Sang Ryul, who is one of the most renowned coaches in the world.
The Liaoning team is competing in the MHL in preparation for the China National Games later this year. Last year, the team from China finished seventh in the 11-team league with three wins, a draw and six defeats
.
National forward Muhajir Abdu Rauf, who has been playing for the Tigers since 2022, said that his team can match any top teams in the MHL, but their finishing in the first two matches was a concern.
"We missed a number of chances in the first two matches and we spent a few days working on it," he said, adding, "I am also not satisfied with my performance despite scoring a goal against the Armed Forces in the first match."
"I missed a number of sitters and I need to be sharper in front of goal in our upcoming matches," Muhajir said.
"I hope to get my scoring act right against the Liaoning team. Last year, we beat them 3-0, but I was told that this time they are here with a much stronger team," he added.
"I have faith that we can collect full points against the Chinese team," said Muhajir, who has also been playing for Malaysia since 2022 and has 38 caps.
Tomorrow's MHL men's fixtures (10 Jan):
Terengganu vs UiTM HA-KPT (Batu Buruk Hockey Stadium in Kuala Terengganu - 4pm), Armed Forces vs Nurinsafi Sporting (Education Ministry Turf, KL - 6pm), Maybank vs Liaoning Team (National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil - 6pm).
Women's league: Armed Forces vs Mutiara-Uniten (Education Ministry Turf, KL - 4pm), Blue Warriors vs Negeri Sembilan (Tun Razak Stadium, KL - 5pm).