Sunday, March 8, 2009

The BJSS dilemma

BUKIT Jalil Sports School (BJSS) were in a dilemma when they played BJSS Juniors on Friday in Division Two of the Malaysia Hockey League.
How many goals to score?
BJSS coach S. Prakash summed it up when he said: "I am not into fixing the outcome of matches. But the dilemma here was because one team was my right eye, and the other team my left eye. We could have pummeled the juniors, but would that not have left a lasting scar in their progress?.
So BJSS scored two goals in each half to beat their juniors 4-0.
His move was not controversial or against hockey rules, as teams have played to a draw by keeping the ball in midfield in International Hockey Federation (FIH) sanctioned tournaments, but no action was taken because it was considered a tactical move.
"I also took the cautious approach because we had a tough match against Kijang Mas (today) and I did not want to tire the boys, or demoralise the juniors by whipping them, as they too have many more matches to play," said Prakash.
But it was obvious to all at the Tun Razak Stadium, that BJSS and their juniors are made up of average players, and it would take a miracle to turn even a handful of them into international class players.
Today, table-toppers Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS) meet Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak) in Pandamaran, and the sports school are expected to come out tops.
TODAY -- Division Two: PJCC v Setapak High (Tun Razak Stadium, 5pm), Kijang Mas v BJSS (Terengganu, 5pm), Malacca v Anderson (Malacca, 5pm), Olak v BPSS (Pan damaran 5pm), BPSS Juniors v BJSS Juniors (Bandar Pe nawar, 5pm), Tenaga Nasional v Batu Pahat (KLHA Stadium, 5pm).
Division Three: Matri v Nur Insafi (Kangar, 5pm), Selangor v Kuala Selangor (Pandamaran, 3pm), Temerloh v English College (Kuantan, 5pm).