After managing to keep the score 0-0 at halftime, UniKL-IBIL Hockey Team participating in its first Malaysian Premier Hockey League campaign lost 3-0 to KL Hockey Club (formerly Ernst & Young) in its debut game. KLHC squad which is made up of current and ex-national players struggle to find the net in the first half due to resiliency of UniKL-IBIL defense and strong showing by its goalkeeper, Saiful Azhar Mohd Afandi.

However, inexperience cost UniKL-IBIL 2 quick goals in the opening 5 minutes of the second half when KLHC pressing for early goal. KLHC Captain Azlan Misron scored from a penalty corner in the 36th minute followed by a field goal by Ismail Abu in the 37th minute. UniKL-IBIL managed to get few clear chances in the second half to narrow the deficit but can’t find the net due fine saves from KLHC goalkeeper, Kairulnizam Ibrahim. KLHC concluded the game with a 56th minute goal by Baljit Singh from another penalty corner. Throughout the game, UniKL-IBIL managed to get 4 penalty corners but failed to convert it into goals.

Against adversity and a few questionable decisions from the umpire, UniKL-IBIL which parades players with an average age of 20 years old was able to give a fight to the defending double champion and gained some accolades from the spectators and local hockey pundits. A last minute jersey mishap also almost cost uniKL-IBIL to forfeit the game. Among the spectators was Y.B. Dato’ Saifuddin Abdullah, Deputy Higher Education Minister, Prof. Dato’ Dr. Abdul Hakim Juri, President/CEO UniKL and Muhammad Azhan Abdul Hamid, CEO IBIL (M) Sdn. Bhd.

The league is heading for a 2 weeks break before the campaign continues on 18th Dec 2009. UniKL-IBIL will use the break to prepare for next game and also to improve on the areas identified from the first game. This break is crucial as the team was only assembled less than 2 months ago and still lack cohesiveness compared to other teams that has been together for the past 3-5 seasons.

Next match will be against Maybank on 18th Dec 2009 at 4.30pm and Nur Insafi on 19th Dec 2009 at 6.30pm. Both games will be played at Tun Razak Hockey Stadium, Jalan Duta with the Nur Insafi game to be shown live on Astro Supersport 2 (Channel 816).

The team can be followed on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com; Search: “UniKL-IBIL Hockey Team”) and on Twitter (http://twitter.com/UniKLIBIL).

From left: Y.Bhg. Prof. Dato' Dr. Abdul Hakim Juri (President/CEO of UniKL), Y.B. Dato' Saifuddin Abdullah (Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Malaysia) and other distinguished guests present at the match.

Players warming up before the game.

UniKL-IBIL Team in action during the game.

Reported by:
Amir Azhar Ibrahim