Semi Finals : Semi-finalists will likely be decided in the return leg

Today’s Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) semi-finals may throw up two contrasting matches but one thing is for certain — none of them will take the other for granted.

Many see league champions Ernst and Young’s clash against Maybank as an easy tie for the former and expect the other semi-final between defending champions Tenaga Nasional and Sapura to be more closely contested.

However, all four teams feel that both the semi-finals will go right down to the wire and will only be decided in the return leg on Sunday.

Tenaga team manager Nor Saiful Zaini said there was no way any of the teams would let their guards down at this stage.

“The knockout stage always provides a different setting and teams tend to rise to the occasion when the chips are down,” he said.

“So there are no favourites for me. Sapura have experience on their side, having played at this level regularly. They know what sort of pressure to expect and I’m sure they have planned their strategies. This will be a close tie and I will not be surprised if it goes all the way to Sunday.”

Tenaga, who are the most successful team in the MHL — having won 10 titles since 1987, have the personnel to get the job done in players like S. Kumar, Mohd Amin Rahim, Mohd Madzli Ikmar, Tajol Rosli, M. Kalisweran, Fairuz Ramli and S. Selvaraju.

But Sapura also have vastly experienced player — like S. Kuhan, Maninderjit Singh, Jiwa Mohan, Jivan Mohan and the South Korean duo of Song Seong-tae and Kim Jung-chul — to trouble Tenaga.

The other match, if it goes according to form, should see Ernst and Young cantering into the final.

They have enough firepower to get the goals and a rock-solid defence to hold the Tigers at bay.

Maybank have had two close matches with the champions and are hoping that, with a little luck, they could be third time lucky.

In the preliminary rounds, Ernst and Young won 1-0 and 4-3.

Maybank coach S. Vellapan is confident his players will raise their game and give Ernst and Young a fight.

“It is not over until the final whistle. Ernst and Young are favourites but we have nothing to lose. We are injury-free and I plan to spring a surprise on them over the two legs,” he said.