_THT_coach_Roslan_Jamaluddin__THT_captain_Fitri_Saari__TNB_captain_Syed_Mohd_Syafiq_Syed_Cholan__TNB_coach_Nor_Saiful_Zaini_Nasiruddin_SAKTESH_SUBRAMANIAM_The_Vibes_pic.jpg)
KUALA LUMPUR – The 2022 Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) Cup finals will see Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) face off against TNB on Thursday at 8.30pm at the Bukit Jalil National Hockey Stadium.
THT, who were champions of the TNB Cup last year, will be looking to claim a treble victory after having won the Charity Shield and Premier League titles.
At a press conference today, THT coach Roslan Jamaluddin said that going up against TNB to claim the TNB Cup title would not be an easy challenge.
“Surely we have to work hard, and TNB is a strong team, so we have our work cut out for us.
“Our squad looks good and, as we are free from injuries, we can bring our best team to the finals,” he said.
THT narrowly clinched their spot in the finals after defeating Universiti Teknologi Mara 1-0 in the second leg of the semi-finals.
The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw.
THT captain Fitri Saari, who aims to defend their title at all costs, is somewhat wary of the opposition’s potential.
“It will be important for the players to follow the coach’s instructions as well as have the ability to play together as a team.
“We have not won the treble before so winning it will be a huge achievement,” said the 29-year-old.
For TNB, coach Nor Saiful Zaini Nasiruddin wants his men to focus on handling the pressure of being in the finals.
“TNB have been absent from tournament finals for some time now so this will be a good chance to bounce back.
“There will be pressure in the finals − most importantly the players need to be able to balance out the pressure and play well like they have in previous matches,” he said.
TNB won 5-1 against Maybank in the second leg of the semi-finals after suffering a 2-1 defeat in the first leg, bringing their aggregate score to 6-3, which was enough to see them through to the finals.
TNB captain Syed Mohd Syafiq Syed Cholan said the team aims to clinch at least one title this season.
“We target to get at least one cup and if the team continues to maintain the momentum from our Maybank matches, we can do it.
“Even though THT may be the better team, I have faith and trust in my teammates,” the 27-year-old said.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Hockey Confederation competitions committee chairman Datuk Seri Anil Jeet Singh said the TNB Cup final will be open to the public at no cost. – The Vibes, March 29, 2022
