ARGENTINE’S SACRIFICE
Peillat takes a salary cut just to gain a different experience
PENALTY corner specialist Gonzalo Peillat has no qualms taking a salary cut to play for Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) in the ongoing Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) Premier Division.
Argentine Peillat said although he previously made more money playing for Germany’s Mannheimer and Hockey India League’s Uttar Pradesh Wizards and Kalinga Lancers, he agreed on a lower offer to experience hockey in Malaysia.
“Despite the low salary, I feel very comfortable playing for THT as they look after my welfare very well. Also, my colleague Pablo Javier Trevisan, who has seen action here for four seasons, encouraged me to join the club,” said the Buenos Aires-born Peillat.
“Playing in various international leagues offer me exposure on the different styles, techniques and tactics which helps me improve. “I like playing here and I look forward to greater things in my playing career.”
It is learnt that Peillat is being paid US$20,000 (RM78,780) by THT to play in the MHL. His normal monthly fee for teams who want to hire him is said to be US$50,000 (RM197,000).
The 26-year-old also likes Malaysia, especially Terengganu, for its many tourist attractions.
His is, however, careful with spicy food. “I prefer pasta, spaghetti and salad as I am not accustomed to spicy food,” he said.
Peillat swung into action for THT on Jan 4 just a day after arriving in Malaysia.
He scored twice via penalty corners as THT hammered UiTM-KPT 9-0 in the quarter-finals of the Alagendra Cup in Bukit Jalil.
But THT lost 4-3 in a dramatic penalty shootout in the final to Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) after a 3-3 draw in regulation time.
In the Premier Division Charity Shield match, Peillat snatched a late equaliser in the 2-2 draw with KLHC, only to lose 5-4 on penalty shootout.
Peillat was named the best player and top scorer in the World Hockey League Semi-Finals in London in last June.
The Argentine has 120 international caps with two Olympic outings in 2012 London and 2016 Rio. He was the hero in Argentina’s gold medal success with 11 goals at the Rio Olympics. He was also the top scorer at the World Cup in The Hague in 2014.
“Winning the Olympic gold (in Rio) is so far my proudest moment in my career. It was a fantastic day for us as Argentina’s national anthem was played for the first time in Olympic hockey after the final,” Peillat added.
Looking back, Peillat is happy to have made hockey his career despite the odds faced in initial years as the sport is not considered popular in Argentina.
RESULTS — MHL Premier Division: Maybank 1 KLHC 5, UniKL 3 TNB-Thunderbolts 1, TNB 0 Terengganu 2.