KUALA LUMPUR: Debutants Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) is just four matches way from a historic league title in the MHF-Milo-NSC-Junior Hockey League but their remaining games are fraught with danger.
And all four matches in the remaining schedule are against the Sports School teams.
They play BJSS Juniors on Sunday followed by the second BJSS team on May 2.
Their next two matches are against BPSS-Thunderbolt on May 7 and the BPSS Juniors on May 14.
UniKL coach I. Vickneswaran said the sports schools stand in their way as they attempt to deny one of them from winning the league title
UniKL lead the way with 12 points while BPSS-Thunderbolt and BJSS are on nine points with one match in hand.
The trio are the contenders for the title following Anderson’s exit from the race when they lost to UniKL and BJSS.
“We are looking good for a maiden title but the two sports schools will be our main challengers. It is obvious we have to beat all four school teams to win the title,” said Vickneswaran.
UniKL have proven that they are a goal scoring outfit after netting 22 goals in four matches to top the standings.
“I will not pick out the outstanding player in the team as all have done well.It is the overall team work that has stood us in good stead. Consistency is another factor and we hope to keep up our form in the remaining matches,” he added.
BPSS-Thunderbolt have been impressive as well after scoring 17 goals in three matches. They have national forward Faisal Saari, whose hattrick in the 8-1 win over MSS Kelantan, makes him the major player in the team.
Double champions BJSS have been plodding along in the three matches and have been far from impressive.
Their sloppy display against Anderson stood out like a sore thumb and their poor scoring rate is also cause for concern. They have scored seven goals in three matches.
BJSS coach S. Prakash said they will have to improve greatly to be able to challenge BPSS-Thunderbolt and UniKL for the title.
“The main thing is that we are still in the running and we hope to stay that way,” said Prakash.
