Confident Baljit now aims to knock in more than 10 goals

KUALA LUMPUR: Defender Baljit Singh Sarjab has hit a purple patch — scoring four penalty corner goals in four matches — in this year’s Malaysia Hockey League (MHL).

This is a far cry from last year when he only scored one goal the whole season!

And the 21-year-old Ernst and Young player is hoping that his rich vein of form will continue when his team face defending overall champions Tenaga Nasional at the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Stadium on Friday.

“I am glad I have improved on my penalty conversion rate and this augurs well for my career with the national team,” said Baljit, who featured in the 2005 Junior World Cup in Rotterdam.

“I am more confident of myself now that I have scored in three of the four matches.”

He netted once each against Nur Insafi and Sapura and twice against the National Juniors. He, however, failed to find the net against Maybank.

Baljit, who was the top scorer in the Malaysian Junior Hockey League (MJHL) with 23 goals for Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) in 2006, is targeting more than 10 goals in the MHL.

“I am also happy to have scored more goals than my team-mate and penalty corner specialist Zulkifli (Rejab). I hope to be the top penalty corner scorer for Ernst and Young this season,” said Baljit.

Zulkifli has knocked in two goals despite not being at his best after a 10-month layoff following a knee operation.

He has also put on weight and is struggling to find his form.

Defending League champions Ernst and Young are on the roll, having won all four of ther matches. But, come Friday, they face a stern test against Tenaga Nasional.

And Baljit already has his mind on revenge.

“We have a score to settle with Tenaga, who beat us on penalties (after both teams failed to break the 1-1 deadlock in extra-time) in last year’s final to win the overall title,” said Baljit.