MHL : Nur Insafi set to come out with guns blazing against Maybank

Nur Insafi will be coming out with guns blazing when they play former champions Maybank in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) second-leg quarter-final match at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil today.

The Penang-based team, powered by seven Indians and two Bangladeshis, lost 0-1 to the Tigers in the first-leg match on Wednesday.

Nur Insafi coach Thaitchana Muruthi said they were let down by poor finishing in that match in Penang.

“We controlled the match and created so many chances but we just didn’t had the lady luck to score.

“One of our penalty corner attempts hit the post and two other attempts were stopped by Maybank goalkeeper (Mohd Hanafi Hassan),’’ said Thaitchana.

He added that the battle is far from over and they still have 70 minutes to get the better of the Tigers, who were lucky to score a deflection goal on Wednesday.

“My players have promised to give their best.

“So I am confident that they would be able rise to the occasion to win a place in the semi-finals,’’ said Thaitchana.

Thaitchana said that they would be banking on forward Prem Kumar (pic) and centre-half Deepak Kumar to deliver the goals.

“We lost the first round match in the preliminaries 2-5 and beat them by the same margin in the second round.

“And we can do it again tomorrow,” said Thaitchana.

Maybank coach S. Velappan said that the pressure definitely would be on them as they are the former champions.

“Nur Insafi have very skilful players and defenders will have to play a very tight marking game.

“The forwards also have to take their chances well. We have to stay on our toes in the entire match,’’ said Velappan.

Nur Insafi or Maybank will face league champions Ernst and Young in the semi-finals.

The other semi-final match is between defending overall champions Tenaga Nasional and Sapura.

The first-leg semi-final matches are on Dec 19 and the return-leg will be held on Dec 21.