Striker Muhajir moving back to strengthen Maybank’s frontline in MHL

Hockey Nations Cup. Wales vs Malaysia. Malaysia's Muhajir ABDU Rauf (26), Wales's Daniel Kyriakides (3). 21 JUNE 2025 —CHAN TAK KONG/The Star

PETALING JAYA: Maybank’s Muhajir Abdu Rauf is set to take on a new role – one that better suits his attacking instincts – in the Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) starting on April 11.

The 25-year-old Sabahan, who has earned 25 international caps, is ready to live up to the expectation set by coach Iman Gobinathan.

“From playing upfront, I’ll now move into the middle of the park, but with the same intent – to attack,” said Muhajir.

“Coach Gobi wants me to play as an attacking midfielder and supply ammunition to the forwards.”

“We’ve signed new strikers this season to help us score more goals, so my focus will be on providing for them,” he added.

Maybank have also undergone tactical adjustments under Gobinathan.

“There are new players and changes in tactics. The coach wants a quicker tempo, so there will be more rotation to help with load management,” said Muhajir.

“We’ve played two friendlies this week against Terengganu and Tenaga Nasional and the new players have adapted to our system.”

Among the club’s new signings are former national strikers Shahril Saabah, Mohd Rashid Baharom, and goalkeeper Che Shahrul Azmi Che Saupi.

“There’s a good balance of youth, experience and veterans. Rotation will be important, and the younger players, along with national players like myself, will be expected to contribute more,” he said.

Unlike last season, when Australians Kieran Govers and Jack Hayes featured for the team, Muhajir indicated that Maybank are likely to go all-local this campaign, as no foreign players have been involved in training.

Other national players in the squad include Ashran Hamsani and Mohd Syafiq Hassan.

Maybank finished third in the league last season with 18 points, and also third in the TNB Cup after beating Matador 2-1 in the playoff. The team have consistently ended in third place from 2021 to 2024.

Muhajir is determined to break that pattern.

“For many years, we’ve always finished third.

‘‘We’ve played good hockey and entertained fans, but the results haven’t reflected that,” he said.

“This season, we want to achieve something - at least one trophy is our target.”