Army Juniors make their mark

ARMED FORCES Juniors pocketed a cool RM30,000 for wining the Division One title in the Malaysia Hockey League with two matches to spare.
And the fact that they beat both Bandar Penawar and Bukit Jalil Sports Schools should be reason enough for them to celebrate their title.
For both the Sports Schools players virtually grew up together, while the Army Juniors only started intensive training in September last year.
“Our Juniors only drew one (0-0 against Ipoh) out of the 10 matches they have played and won the title with two matches to spare. The team and its management deserves praise because we only started training in September last year,” said Armed Forces HA deputy president Lt Kol B. Muthuku mar.
The groundwork was done by former national juniors coach K. Rajan and also Army coach Warren Officer Ka maruddin Misman.
“Rajan and Kamaruddin held joint training for both our teams (Armed Forces-Airod as well as Juniors) and we only formed two teams close to the MHL start.
“Now, the Juniors will get a chance to play against Premier Division teams in the knock-out stage of the MHL.”
The title also came with a spot in the MHL quarter-finals as well as promotion to the Premier Division next season.
However, the Armed Forces-Airod team, which finished second in Division One last season and gained promotion to the Premier Division, are fighting relegation as they are second from the bottom.
“Some of our players in the Premier Division need to be replaced with talent from the Junior side, and I believe we will be better prepared to play in the tougher bracket next season,” said Muthukumar.
Army Juniors next play UniTen who they beat 4-0 in the first leg, and Bandar Penawar who they beat 3-1 earlier.
The battle for the second spot in Division One is still wide open as four teams are still within striking distance.
DIVISION ONE: Friday -- Malacca CC v Ipoh City Hall (Malacca, 5pm), Universiti Sains Malaysia v Bukit Jalil Sports School (USM, 5pm), UniTen v Bandar Penawar Sports School (KLHA Stadium, 5pm).
Sunday: Malacca CC v Bukit Jalil Sports School (Malacca, 5pm), Universiti Sains Malaysia v Bandar Penawar Sports School (USM, 5pm), UniTen v Armed Forces Juniors (KLHA, 5pm).
Feb 25: Bukit Jalil Sports School v UniTen (Ministry of Education Stadium, 5pm), Armed Forces Juniors v bandar Penawar Sports School (Tun Razak Stadium, 5pm).

DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pt
ATM JNR 10 9 1 0 27 7 28
BPSS 9 5 0 4 16 15 15
MALACCA CC 10 5 0 5 14 12 15
IPOH CH 11 4 2 5 18 23 14
BJSS 9 4 1 4 19 13 13
USM 10 3 0 7 16 28 9
UNITEN 9 1 2 6 9 21 5

Army Juniors Div 1 champs, KLHC poised

KUALA Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) are just one match away from lifting their sixth League title, provided they don't collapse big time in their next three matches.

But on paper, it looks almost impossible for them to lose the title, as they only have to pull off one win against Nur Insafi or Armed Forces-Airod next weekend, and the title will be theirs with a match to spare against Charity Shield holders Tenaga Nasional.

The club evolved from Ernst & Young, who won three League titles, while under the KLHC banner for the leat two seasons, they have won back-to-back to their credit.

KLHC coach K. Dharmaraj is confident his charges will not collapse at the finish line.

"I believe the title is ours, as we have three matches in hand, and only need three points. We will work to seal the title next weekend, and take it easy when we play Tenaga Nasional at the Malacca Stadium," said Dharmaraj.

With the title almost in the bag, Dharmaraj has already started planning for the quarter-finals to lay his hands on the TNB Cup.

This is where KLHC are a jinxed team, as they entered six Overall finals, but only have one title to show under the Ernet & Young banner, while they ended up as bridesmaid five times.

"Somehow, my players tend to freeze in the knock-out stages, and this is what I will work on, to improve in the next three matches.

"The strikers, as well as our penalty corner flicker have been on an upward trend, and I believe they will keep the momentum in the knock-out stage as well," said Dharmaraj.

KLHC have scored 60 goals and let in only 19, with their penalty corner flicker Razie Rahim contributing 13.

So, it looks like it will be a holiday in Malacca for KLHC, as they are touted to lift the title this weekend itself.

In Division One, Armed Forces Juniors emerged as League champions with two matches to spare when they beat Bandar Penawar Sports Sports School 3-1 yesterday.

The title came with promotion to Premier Division, and a spot in the quarter-finals.

Army's goals were scored by Shukri Aziz (43th), Szuhairi Aziz (49th) and Hanip Che Halim (52nd). The BPSS goal was scored by Shahril Saabah (eighth).

RESULTS -- DIVISION ONE: Ipoh City Hall 0 Universiti Sains Malaysia 3, UniTen 2 Bukit Jalil Sports School 2, Armed Forces Jnrs 3 Bandar Penawar Sports School 1.

DIVISION ONE

P W D L F A Pt

ATM JNR 10 9 1 0 27 7 28

BPSS 9 5 0 4 16 15 15

MALACCA CC 10 5 0 5 14 12 15

IPOH CH 11 4 2 5 18 23 14

BJSS 9 4 1 4 19 13 13

USM 10 3 0 7 16 28 9

UNITEN 9 1 2 6 9 21 5