KUALA LUMPUR: Tenaga Nasional Thunderstar lost the battle today, but won the war.
Though Thunderstar lost 2-1 to Terengganu Hockey Team (THT), which also ended their unbeaten run in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL), they still won the league title.
Powered by 12 national players, Thunderstar recorded 10 wins, one draw and one loss in the seven-team league.
They scored a whopping 81 goals in 12 matches and conceded only 20. National forward Azrai Aizad Abu Kamal is the top scorer for Thunderstar with 32 goals.
Last year’s league champions Terengganu finished runners-up with eight wins, three draws and one loss.
In today’s match at TNB Hockey Stadium, Putrajaya, Nik Aiman Nik Rozemi gave Thunderstar the lead in the fourth minute from a field goal but a minute later Terengganu equalised through Firhan Ashari.
Luqman Nul Hakim Ahmad Shukran scored the winning goal for the East Coast team in the 49th minute off a penalty corner.
Thunderstar, Terengganu and Maybank have secured a place each in the two-legged semi-finals on Dec 2 and 4. TNB Thunderbolts and Universiti Teknologi Mara will fight for the remaining semi-final slot.
Thunderstar coach Madzli Ikmar said his team had already won the league title from the points accumulated even before facing Terengganu today.
“We have a solid team and we are eyeing a treble this season. We want to win the treble like we won in 2024,” said the former national skipper.