Monday, April 27, 2009

Sports schools clash in final

RESULTS -- Semi-finals, second leg:
Bukit Jalil Sports School 3 Petaling Jaya City Council 2.
(BJSS win on 5-3 aggregate)
Bandar Penawar Sports School 3 Tenaga Nasional 2
(BPSS win on 7-3 aggregate)

SPORTS schools Bukit Jalil (BJSS) and Bandar Penawar (BPSS) will battle for the Malaysia Hockey League Overall title on Wednesday after they beat their opponents in con trasting styles.
BJSS edged Petaling Jaya City Council (PJCC) 3-2 for a 5-3 aggregate win, while BPSS beat Tenaga Nasional 3-2 for a comfortable 7-3 aggregate win.
Yesterday, BJSS were left off the hook when PJCC failed to score even when they were ‘given’ ample opportunities in the second half.
BJSS took a 3-0 lead off Fahmi Faiz (eighth), Dangerous Lee (12th) and Izad Hakimi (19th), before PJCC came back into the match with goals from Faiz Sukri ( 24th) and Aidil Hakimi (44th), but failed to convert the numerous chances that came their way after that.
At the Bandar Penawar pitch, Tenaga Nasional took a 2-0 lead off Faiz Adnan (10th) and Sabri Mohamed (17th), but BPSS came back convincingly in the second half.
Firhan Ashaari (46th), Fitri Saari (48th) and Noor Faeez Ibrahim scored for BPSS.
“We scored three early goals and after that, a freak accident allowed PJCC to crawl back into the match. My goalkeeper’s hockey stick got stuck in the net during the penalty corner and PJCC scored.
“My boys lost their composure after that, but still held on to win. They have fitness and skills, but it looks like I will have to work on the mental aspect.
“These boys are all under-17, and would become an asset once they know how to keep their composure,” said BJSS coach S. Prakash.
PJCC coach Paul Raj was happy with his team’s com mitment: “We gave them a tough fight, and only bowedout because of poor penalty corner defending.
“Last season, we were knocked out of the quarters, and this year we advanced further and I see this as progress,” said Paul.
FIXTURES -- Wednesday: Final: Bukit Jalil Sports School v Bandar Penawar Sports School (National Stadium, 5pm).

Wake-up call for Bukit Jalil

BUKIT Jalil Sports School received a timely wake-up call, and will be out make amends in the second leg semi-finals of the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) today.
BJSS struggled to beat Petaling Jaya City Council 2-1 in the first leg, but it would be foolish to bet against them in the return leg.
In the other semi-finals, Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS) will be hard to upset, after they beat Tenaga Nasional 4-1.
“The first half is over, and now we have to play much better in the second half to increase our one-goal cushion. I believe the boys will not disappoint,” said BJSS coach S. Prakash.
Prakash attributes the slim lead to effective man-to-man marking, and cramming the defense.
“My forwards found it hard to break free as PJCC’s marking was good, and even if they managed to penetrate the 25-yard, PJCC defended well in numbers,” said Prakash.
PJSS coach Paul Raj believes his players are ready to cause an upset.
“My play-maker Harmesh (Singh) did not play in the first leg as he injured his knee in a pervious match. But he will be back for the return leg, and I am confident we will knock-out BJSS,” said Raj.
And while Harmesh makes a return, BJSS’ penalty corner flicker Hairulnizam Maizan is a doubtful starter.
“Hairul received six stitches on his eyebrow on Friday, and is a doubtful starter. He scored eight goals, and will surely be missed if he can’t recover in time,” said Prakash.
As for BPSS, they have yet to drop a single point at their home ground in Bandar Penawar, and coach Wan Roslan Wan Rahman said Tenaga Nasional jokingly asked him if the return leg could be held at the KLHA Stadium.
“When I shook hands with Nor Azlan Bakar (Tenaga coach) after the match, he jokingly asked me if we could play the return leg in KL because it is difficult to beat us in Bandar Penawar.
“Jokes aside, we will be fielding our best side, and make sure that we take a step closer to our target of lifting the Overall title,” said Wan Roslan.
TODAY -- Semi-finals, second leg: Bandar Penawar Sports School v Tenaga Nasional (Bandar Penawar, 5pm); Petaling Jaya City Council v Bukit Jalil Sports School (National Stadium, 5pm).

Bandar Penawar stamp their class

BANDAR Penawar Sports School (BPSS) stamped their class when they beat Tenaga Nasional 4-1 in the first leg semi-finals of the Malaysia Hockey League at the Kuala Lumpur HA Stadium yesterday.
And at the National Hockey Stadium, Bukit Jalil Sports School edged Petaling Jaya City Council 2-1, and the return leg is expected to be a cracker.
Ahmad Kafeel gave PJCC a ninth minute lead, but BJSS equalised off Faridzul Afiq two minutes later.
The match was heading for a draw, but a 62nd minute penalty corner attempt by Izat Hakimi gave the League champions a slim cushion.
BPSS were meticulous when chances came their way, while Tenaga muffed many sitters and will find the going uphill in the return leg.
The Bandar Penawar hero was Nor Faeez Ibrahim, who converted all three penalty corners that came their way in the 19th, 43rd and 46th minutes. Hafiz Nawi made it 4-0, before Aminuddin Abu slammed home Tenaga’s only goal in the 70th minute.
“We had a good run today (yesterday), and will be looking to increase our lead in the return leg. Even though we have a three-goal cushion, Tenaga cannot be taken lightly,” said BPSS coach Wan Roslan Wan Rahman.
And BPSS will use the return leg, to charge-up for the final.
“We have not lost, or even drawn a match at our own backyard this season, and will be playing to keep the record. It will be a good tune-up for the final,” said Wan Roslan.
Tenaga Nasional coach Nor Azlan Bakar rued the missed chances.
“We had more chances than Bandar Penawar, but my forwards bungled while the opponents did not miss. They only had three penalty corners and converted all, and after that, it became increasingly difficult for us to catch up.
“In the return leg, we will be looking to keep the score respectable,” said Nor Azlan.
RESULTS -- Semi-finals, first leg: Tenaga Nasional 1 Bandar Penawar Sports School 4; Bukit Jalil Sports School 2 Petaling Jaya City Council 1.
SUNDAY -- Semi-finals, second leg: Bandar Penawar Sports School v Tenaga Nasional (Bandar Penawar, 5pm); Petaling Jaya City Council v Bukit Jalil Sports School (Na tional Stadium, 5pm).