KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) exacted sweet revenge by beating defending champions Armed Forces Gladiators 4-3 in the National Indoor Hockey League at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) in Tanjong Malim today.
It was DBKL HT's fourth consecutive win and they have four matches to play.
Last year, Forces Gladiators defeated DBKL 4-2 in the final.
DBKL, powered by three national players, started off well by taking a 2-0 lead with goals by Firdaus Omar (12th) and captain Faridzul Afiq (15th).
But Forces managed to reduce the deficit with a goal by Norhafizie Jamil Azomi in the 20th minute.
DBKL stormed back to score another two goals through Faridzul (21st) and Rafirul Ezry Mustafa (24th) to lead 4-1.
Forces stepped up a gear in the last 15 minutes and they scored two goals through Norhafizie (26th) and Shafiq Yaacob (38th) but still lost 4-3.
DBKL team manager Shah Rizainey Suhaimi said the win over Forces was a big boost for his team.
"My players took their chances well against Forces. Our mission now is to win the remaining four matches to finish top in the round robin tournament and qualify for the semi-finals.
"Of the four matches remaining, we can expect tough battles against KPT Masum on Thursday and newcomers Maybank on Saturday," said Shah.
DBKL will face KJLJD Stallions tomorrow and Perlis Lions on Friday.
RESULTS
Men: Perlis Lions 3 Silver Seladang 3, Forces Gladiators 3 DBKL HT 4, SSTMI 1 KJLJD Stallions 4, Silver Seladang 1 Maybank 4, KPT Masum 9 UPSI KPT 2.
Women: Forces Gladiators 6 Mutiara Penang 0, BNHC KL 3 UPSI KPT 2, CS Mustang 1 MOHC-MHA 3.