Kuala Lumpur (13 January, 2019): Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) came back from a gripping first half performance to defeat Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) 2-1 in the TNB-MHL Premier League at the Tun Razak Stadium today.

National team captain and defender Sukri Abdul Mutalib opened account for UniKL in the 40^th minute via field goal and Dutchman Martijn Havenga extended the lead in the 46^th minute, courtesy of a penalty stroke after Robbert Kemperman was brought down by goalkeeper Mohd Adi Fazri.

UiTM reduced the deficit at the close of the fourth quarter through Mohd Azwar Abdul Rahman in the 59^th minute with a field goal.

“It was a good match from UiTM in the first half but I was confident the players will get their act right in the second half to win this match,” said UniKL coach Arul Selvaraj.

“The Dutch players arrived a day earlier and looked tired but with our next game scheduled only on Friday against Tenaga Nasional Berhad they should be physical ready with enough rest.”

UiTM head coach Meor Mohd Shahril, said: “I am happy with the performance of the players against a strong side as UniKL. We took the game to UniKL and this is good for the morale of the players.”

For the first time in the league, UniKL paraded five of their six foreign players –Havenga, Valentin Verga and Kemperman (Holland), together with Australians Timothy Deavin and Kieran Govers.

Goalkeeper David Harte of Ireland is nursing a minor groin injury and was kept out of today’s game, leaving Adrian Andy Albert busy between the goalposts throughout the match.

UiTM introduced midfielder Kentaro Fukudo, a member of Japan’s 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games gold-medal winning squad, whilst awaiting the arrival of two Bangladesh and an Indian player who have yet to get the green light from their respective Ministry of Defence.