Malaysian Hockey League 2025: TNB Wary of New Challengers
The Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) hockey team is gearing up for the Malaysian Hockey League (LHM) 2025, with a stern warning from its head coach Nor Saiful Zaini Nasruddin that the competition has become more challenging this year.
New Challengers and Traditional Foes
TNB, who emerged champions in all three competitions – Charity Shield (Piala Sumbangsih), league and TNB Cup in 2024 – will open their campaign against Terengganu Hockey Team (THT), who emerged as the third runner-up of the competition, in the Charity Shield action on Saturday at pitch 2, Bukit Jalil National Hockey Stadium.
"We are wary of the threat from new challengers as well as traditional foes Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) and Maybank," said Nor Saiful Zaini.
International Participants
The LHM 2025 competition has attracted representatives from Australia, Territory Stringers and Liaoning club from China, while the Matador club, which will make its debut, has managed to tie in eight Pakistani national players.
TNB’s Strategy
Nor Saiful Zaini admitted that the team’s attacking line is solid and the defence is good, but many teams use tactics to trap TNB during the counter-attack (last season). He emphasized the importance of teamwork to overcome the pressure.
"We also have to pay attention to this," he said during the LHM 2025 press conference.
Importance of Exposure
Nor Saiful Zaini believes that the presence of players and teams from abroad is good for the Malaysian hockey ecosystem, providing additional exposure and different skills to the players.
Local Players Retained
This year, TNB retains its hopes on local players, retaining the likes of Muhammad Marhan Jalil, Shello Selverius, Faiz Helmi Jali and Norsyafiq Sumantri, with South Korea’s penalty corner specialist Jang Jong Hyun, 40, the team’s only import.
MHC’s Schedule
Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) Competition Committee chairman Datuk Seri Anil Jeet Singh said MHC has not received any complaints from any team regarding the LHM 2025 competition schedule.
Broadcasting and Charity Shield
A total of 30 matches played on Field 2 of the National Hockey Stadium will be broadcast live via Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) channel. Only a few selected matches will be played at Field 1 due to a number of factors, including the organisation of concerts. The collection from the Charity Shield action this year will be channelled to flood victims, with the value to be announced later.
Conclusion
The Malaysian Hockey League 2025 promises to be an exciting competition, with TNB facing stiff challenges from new and traditional foes. The team’s strategy and local players’ performance will be crucial in their quest to defend the ‘treble’.
FAQs
Q: Who will TNB face in their opening match?
A: TNB will face Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) in the Charity Shield action on Saturday at pitch 2, Bukit Jalil National Hockey Stadium.
Q: Who is TNB’s only import?
A: South Korea’s penalty corner specialist Jang Jong Hyun, 40, is TNB’s only import.
Q: What is the schedule for the LHM 2025 competition?
A: The schedule for the LHM 2025 competition has been fixed by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) based on the International Hockey Federation (FIH) calendar and festivals such as Ramadan and Hari Raya.