UniKL created an upset of sorts when they held table toppers KL Hockey Club to a 1-1 draw at the Pantai Hockey Stadium.
It was the fighting spirit of the young UniKL side that saw them be the first team to take a point of the KLHC team that were expected to steam roll past them.
KLHC had won both their opening weekend matches, defeating Terengganu HT 2-1 and Sapura 5-2 while UniKL were beaten 3-0 by Sapura before bouncing back to edge Tenaga Nasional Berhad 1-0.
" I must say the boys showed tremendous spirit and were not daunted by the fact that they were up against a formidable side," said UniKL coach Arul Selvaraj.
" We absorbed the pressure well and slowed down the pace in the initial three quarters to break their rhythm.
" To us the draw is as good as a win and I hope that this match will give confidence to the players to start believing in themselves."
KLHC forced the first penalty corner of the match in the 3rd minute and Korean import Nam Hyun Woo sent in a Low drag flick that beat UniKL custodian , James Caragh all the way.
UniKL were on the back foot for the entire first quarter as they failed to make much headway.
It was a much changed UniKL approach in the second half as they managed to reign control of the midfield but did not create any goal worthy chances.
KLHC had two more penalty corners but Meor Mohammad failed to stop cleanly from one while Ahmad Kazamirul sent the other attempt wide.
Off their second penalty corner in the 50th minute UniKL found their equaliser as Mohammad Tousiq sent in a deft drag flick after being set up by Najmi Farizal from a delightful set-piece.
The goal gave confidence to the UniKL players as they help the marauding KLHC players at bay.
In the final minute KLHC were awarded a penalty corner but keeper Caragh pulled off a brilliant save to deny them all three points.
In another match Sapura defeated Maybank 2-1 at the Bukit Serindit Hockey Stadium in Malacca.
And TNB held defending champions Terengganu HT to a 4-4 draw.
