KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) were a class above as they thrashed TNB Thunderbolts 5-0 on Friday to keep pace with the top guns in the MHL Premier Division.
With 12 points from three wins and three draws, UniKL have now set the pace for a thrilling match against Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) on Sunday.
Australian Glenn Turner set the tone for UniKL in the 10th minute when he picked a cross from Zul Pidaus Mizun on the right and slammed it past goalkeeper Fahmi Zakaria.
Captain Marhan Jalil returned from hip injury to extend the lead in the 15th minute.
Turner returned in the third quarter to net the third goal in the 32nd minute via a penalty corner.
Netherland’s Jeroen Hertzberger (36th) and Faridzul Afiq Mohd (48th) completed the rout for UniKL.
"Our concern today was cards, injuries and physical play. We only picked up two green cards and otherwise it was a good match,” said UniKL coach A. Arul Selvaraj. “There was more discipline and structure in the game and I am happy as we stepped up ahead of Sunday's game.
"We will have our best players against KLHC while they will not be at their best.”
Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) wrested the top position in the standings with 15 points following a 2-0 win over Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) at the Batu Buruk Hockey Stadium in Kuala Terengganu. KLHC moved to second (14 points) with a come-from-behind 3-1 victory over Maybank at the KLHA Stadium.