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UniKL Ladies stun Blue Warriors to stay on top

Kuala Lumpur (17 March 2021): Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) Ladies stunned Blue Warriors 3-0 in a nerve-wrecking encounter in the Malaysia Hockey Women’s League match at the National Hockey Stadium today.

The much anticipated tie between debutants UniKL Ladies and Blue Warriors got off on a high intensity with spirited displays.

For UniKL Ladies, the win over the much fancied Royal Malaysian Police Force side has consolidated their position at the top of table standings with six points.

Nur Afiqah Syahzani Azhar gave the varsity team the lead in the 37th minute via a field goal, Norazlin Sumantri extended it 2-0 through a 54th minute penalty corner strike, and Tuan Nur Hidayah Tuan Ismail completed the rout two minutes later from a field goal.

UniKL skipper Nuraini Abdul Rashid praised her teammates for the hard fought win against the more experience Blue Warriors team.

“They gave us a tough fight and goalkeeper Farah (Ayuni Yahya) was in good form but we feel relieved to score three goals against them.”

“The win has put us in good position but we still have three matches to go and we cannot afford to slip up in the remaining matches to win the league title,” said Nuraini.

In the opening match on Monday, UniKL Ladies, powered by seven national players, hammered hapless Mutiara

Juniors of Penang 17-0. UniKL have scored a whopping 20 goals in two matches and have yet to concede a goal.

The win over Blue Warriors have put UniKL Ladies in the driving seat for the league title as they next face 2020 overall champions (Vivian Soars Cup) favourites PKS Universiti Tenaga Nasional (Uniten)-KPT on Saturday (20 March). A win over PKS Uniten will virtually pave the way for them to win the title as their next opponents – Sabah (22 March) and Young Tigress (24 March) are not expected to withstand the pressure.

Both teams played a cautious game in the first two quarters but UniKL had an early chance to lead in the 20th minute off their first penalty corner. Nuraini Abdul Rashid’s low drag flick was well saved by former national goalkeeper Farah.

In the 31st minute, forward Nuramirah Shakirah Zulkili had the golden opportunity to put UniKL ahead as she had only Farah to beat. But her strike from close range was well saved.

Two minutes later, Nuramirah’s reverse stick hit from the left sailed over the cross bar. The varsity team continued to pile up the pressure and earned their second penalty corner minutes later but Siti Noor Amarina Ruhani failed to convert it.

Farah, who made several great saves, was finally beaten in the 37th minute. Nuramirah collected a ball from the right and relayed it to Nur Afiqah Syahzani Azhar who calmly pushed the ball into goal.

Former champions Blue Warriors fought back and earned two penalty corners in the 40th and 41st minutes but goalkeeper Siti Zaila Nasir did well to deny them.

Blue Warriors again earned another two more penalty corners in the fourth quarters and once again failed to get their act right.

But UniKL fought hard in the last six matches of the match to score two quick goals in two minutes. Norazlin sounded the board off a penalty corner and Tun Nur Hidayah fired home from the right side to give UniKL the deserving three points.

In other matches, Uniten-KPT defeated Young Tigress 3-0 while Sabah outclassed Mutiara Juniors 9-0.

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