KUALA LUMPUR: Newcomers Negri Sembilan beat Sabah 4-0 today to claim the Women's Malaysia Hockey League title with one match in hand.
Even though they still have to play Mutiara Impaian on Sunday, the title is already assured.
Negri's goals were scored by Nurfatin Dizana Zaidi (13th minute), Irdina Madihah Azmi (35th), Hanis Nadiah Onn (43rd) and Fatin Shafika Sukri (58th).
In the league's opener, Negri had routed Mutiara Impian 8-0. Armed with six national players, Negri had beaten every team but recorded a 1-1 draw against KPT-UniTen Thunderbolts.
However in the return leg, Negri beat UniTen 1-0, and have an assailable
25 points from nine matches.
Negri coach K. Rajan said they have enough experience on the bench to expose some of their youth players in this tournament.
"Our main rivals were UniTen while the rest of the teams tried their best but we had six national players to help us.
"That is why I fielded many of my youth in matches, like against Sabah today to give them exposure.
"Negri are not going to be a one-hit league wonder. There are long term plans by the management to develop a strong team in the state." said Rajan.
RESULTS
MEN: Tenaga Nasional 9 UiTM HA 3; TNB Thunderbolts 2 Maybank 7; NurInsafi 4 National Development Team 5.
WOMEN: National Development Team 2 Sarawak 1; Negri Semilan 4 Sabah 0; Mutiara Impaian 1 KPT-UniTen Thunderbolts 5.