KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) will be without experienced striker Mohd Azwah Abdul Rahman, but are still confident of getting a good result against Malacca High School (MHS) in their Division One match at the Bukit Serendit Hockey Stadium in Malacca on Friday.
UniKL will sorely miss Project 2013 squad player Azwah, who still nursing a hamstring injury, when they play only their second match in the MHC-Milo-NSC Malaysia Junior Hockey League.
UniKL coach Mohd Rodhanizam Mat Radzi said that Azwah needed more time to recover.
“He is still not fully fit. We will check on his condition and get the doctor’s advice before fielding him. For now, I feel that he needs more time to rest and heal,” said Rodhanizam.
UniKL are aware of the pitfalls awaiting them in Malacca as the High School are an unpredictable side.
UniKL struggled in their first game against KLSS-KLHC before prevailing 2-0.
MHS have played three matches, drawing two and losing one. They drew 1-1 with Anderson and 2-2 with KLSS before losing 3-1 to Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (MBPJ).
“We’ve had two weeks to improve on our weaknesses. We’ve also worked on our physical conditioning because the next few weeks will see us playing back-to-back matches,” said Rodhanizam.
“We face a tough match in Malacca and I have reminded the players not to take things for granted. We can’t even afford a draw as that’ll leave us trailing leaders SSTMI-Thunderbolt.”
Rodhanizam said that a win would be a good morale booster for the players before their next game against defending champions SSTMI-Thunderbolt.
Meanwhile, leaders Thunderbolt will play their third match against second-placed MBPJ in Johor Baru today boosted by their 7-0 demolition of Anderson last week.
Thunderbolt coach Wan Mohd Roslan, however, said he would not take any team for granted “although we have won both our two matches so far”.
“The PJ team have been playing well ... I’m wary of the threat posed by them. They are also unbeaten so far and will fancy their chances against us,” he said.
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