UNIKL Young Guns came back from a goal-down to hammer Malacca High School 4-1 and move to the top of the Division One standings of the NSC-Milo-MHC Junior Hockey League.
Malacca HC’s Ashraf Zuhry jolted the title pretenders with a penalty corner goal in the 30th minute, but even with home ground advantage, the hosts let slip the advantage in the second half.
Syafiq Zulzairin started the fight-back with a 37th minute field goal, and goals from Norsyafiq Sumantri (54th), Syafiq (60th) and hafif Elkan (67th) made sure UniKL stay in the hunt for the League title.
RESULTS: Division One -- Andersons 1 Bukit Jalil SS 1, Malacca HS 1 UniKL Young Guns 4, USM 0 SSTMI 7.
Division Two: Group A -- Anderson Juniors 3 STAR 0, IMas Penang 4 Kelantan 5, KLSS 4 Tunku Besar 2.
Group B: Datuk Taha 4 Johor HA 4, Padang Midin 0 Politeknik KPT 4, Olak PKT 6 BJSS Juniors 2.
TOMORROW: Division One -- Anderson v SSTMI (Azlan Shah, 5pm).
Division Two: Group A: Matri v Kelantan (Alor Star, 3pm), Perlis v Anderson Jnrs (Alor Star, 5pm).
Group B: BJSS Juniors v Johor HA (Ministry of Education, 5pm).
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
UniKL 6 5 0 1 28 6 15
PJCC 5 5 0 0 9 4 15
SSTMI 4 4 0 0 23 0 12
Anderson 5 1 2 2 7 14 5
Malacca HS 5 1 2 2 8 19 5
SSTMI Jnrs 5 1 1 3 6 16 4
BJSS 6 0 1 5 4 13 1
USM-MSSSPP 4 0 0 4 2 15 0
GROUP A
P W D L F A Pts
Kelantan 6 6 0 0 24 9 18
Kedah HA Jnrs 7 3 3 1 14 6 12
Anderson Jnrs 5 3 1 1 12 6 10
STAR Ipoh 6 3 1 2 6 10 10
1Mas Penang 6 3 0 3 16 11 9
Perlis 4 2 1 1 15 9 7
Matri 5 1 1 3 5 13 4
SERATAS 5 0 1 4 1 10 1
Nur Insafi 6 0 0 6 1 20 0
GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
KLSS 6 6 0 0 24 7 18
OLAK 7 5 0 2 20 7 15
Poli KPT 5 4 0 1 19 4 12
K Langat 7 4 0 3 10 28 12
Datuk Taha 7 3 2 2 21 9 11
TM Pahang 6 3 1 2 16 11 10
TBSS 8 3 0 5 16 20 9
Johor HA 6 1 1 4 11 20 4
BJSS Jnrs 6 1 0 5 7 25 3
SMKPM 6 0 0 6 9 22 0
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Army men out of MHL...
THE Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) will be a handicapped tournament as only six teams registered for the Premier Division, while five for the Division One when entries closed on Wednesday.
The tournament, slated for March 22-May 12, will see double champions Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club, Tenaga Nasional, Sapura, Maybank, UniKL and Nur Insafi playing in the Premier Division.
In Division One are UiTM, Bukit Jalil Sports School, Thunderbolts and UniTen.
“Terengganu have requested to play in the Premier Division, but that will be decided by the competitions committee. When entries closed, there were only six teams in Premier Division and four in Division One albeit Terengganu who might play in either division,” said Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) secretary Johari Aziz.
Missing from last years Division One list are champions Armed Forces, who claimed all their players would be attending courses, Johor HA and Politeknik-KPT..
The tournament, slated for March 22-May 12, will see double champions Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club, Tenaga Nasional, Sapura, Maybank, UniKL and Nur Insafi playing in the Premier Division.
In Division One are UiTM, Bukit Jalil Sports School, Thunderbolts and UniTen.
“Terengganu have requested to play in the Premier Division, but that will be decided by the competitions committee. When entries closed, there were only six teams in Premier Division and four in Division One albeit Terengganu who might play in either division,” said Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) secretary Johari Aziz.
Missing from last years Division One list are champions Armed Forces, who claimed all their players would be attending courses, Johor HA and Politeknik-KPT..
German wall in Johor Baru..
WORLD No 1 Germany will be the least of Malaysia’s headache when Johor Baru hosts the Hockey World League Semi-Final on June 29-July 7.
For, the International Hockey Federation confirmed that joining Malaysia, at No 13, to qualify for the 2014 World Cup will be World No 4 England, No 5 Pakistan and No 7 South Korea. Three more teams will join the Johor Baru scramble for seats after the Round Two tournament.
Malaysia had been scheduled to play in the Round Two tournament in Elektrostal, Russia, at the end of May but after Germany could not host the semi-finals, Malaysia took over the task and were thrown face first into the lions den.
“I would especially like to thank Malaysia for stepping into host on short notice. It is further evidence of the spirit of cooperation that we enjoy in international hockey,” said FIH President Leandro Negre.
The World Cup will be held at The Hague, Holland on June 2-15. The cast will be made up of the hosts, Five Continental champions and six teams from the two World League Semi-finals.
The other World League Semi-finals would be held in the Netherlands on June 13-23 in Rotterdam and the confirmed teams are Australia, the Netherlands, Spain and New Zealand.
Eight teams will play in each of the semi-finals, and if Malaysia fail to be among the top three teams in Johor Baru, there is another chance in the Asia Cup to be hosted by Ipoh.
For, the International Hockey Federation confirmed that joining Malaysia, at No 13, to qualify for the 2014 World Cup will be World No 4 England, No 5 Pakistan and No 7 South Korea. Three more teams will join the Johor Baru scramble for seats after the Round Two tournament.
Malaysia had been scheduled to play in the Round Two tournament in Elektrostal, Russia, at the end of May but after Germany could not host the semi-finals, Malaysia took over the task and were thrown face first into the lions den.
“I would especially like to thank Malaysia for stepping into host on short notice. It is further evidence of the spirit of cooperation that we enjoy in international hockey,” said FIH President Leandro Negre.
The World Cup will be held at The Hague, Holland on June 2-15. The cast will be made up of the hosts, Five Continental champions and six teams from the two World League Semi-finals.
The other World League Semi-finals would be held in the Netherlands on June 13-23 in Rotterdam and the confirmed teams are Australia, the Netherlands, Spain and New Zealand.
Eight teams will play in each of the semi-finals, and if Malaysia fail to be among the top three teams in Johor Baru, there is another chance in the Asia Cup to be hosted by Ipoh.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Royal Hockeynesses: Kate and Pippa as teenagers...
Unseen since it was taken 12 years ago, this candid picture shows the single-minded determination of two teenage sisters who would go on to be among the most famous faces on the planet.
Hockey sticks at the ready, Kate and Pippa Middleton have the steely, purposeful gaze of fearsome opponents who would let no one stand in their way.
The photograph was taken at Marlborough College in Wiltshire, when the future Duchess of Cambridge was in her final year, aged about 18.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk
Dharmaraj challenges JHL players...
And that’s why Project 2013 coach K. Dharmaraj (pic) has thrown the under-19 players a challenge -- play in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) if you want to impress him.
Right now, established players, who have been selected for the Project 2013 and 2017 squads, are the ones who are keeping the League alive in three Division One teams.
Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI), UniKL Young Guns and Petaling Jaya City Council are involved in an intense battle for the Division One League title as they have the lions share of the project players.
The other teams are struggling simply because their players are still raw,
“I have been watching the Division One matches and the conclusion is that there are no new talent to join the national juniors training. The present players from the 2013 and 2017 project squads are the one who are keeping their teams afloat.
“And my advise to those who want to make an impact, is to try and impress the MHL clubs and play in the senior league.
“if they can survive, or even hold themselves well in the MHL, then they warrant a call-up to the national juniors training squad,” said Dharmaraj.
The national juniors, 25-strong, are in training for the Junior World Cup in India in December, and they commute between JHL matches and training under Dharmaraj during weekdays.
“I am happy to release them for the JHL as they get match practice, while I work on their physical and mental side when they come to me,” said Dharmaraj.
Citing and example, Dharmaraj said one of the btter players in the JHL now is Shahril Saabah who is with SSTMI, because he has seen action in the MHL with Tenaga Nasional last season.
“But even he found the going tough in TNB playing against the big boys, bit he survived and is now holding court in SSSTMI. That is what I want from those who aspire to break into the Junior World Cup training squad from the outside.
“I am willing to provide names to MHL clubs who are looking for youth, as it will benefit the country in the long run,” said Dharmaraj.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
RESULTS: Division One -- Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS Juniors 1 Malacca
High School 1, UniKL 8 Andersons 0, Petaling Jaya CC 2 USM 1.
Division Two: Group A -- Nur Insafi 0 Kedah HA Juniors 5, STAR 1 1Mas Penang 0, Perlis 6 Matrix 2.
Group B: Bukit Jalil SS Juniors 2 Kuala Langat 3, Politeknik KPT 6 Tunku Besar Secondary School 1.
PETALING Jaya City Council (PJCC) edged Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) 2-1 for their fifth consecutive win to top Division One of the NSC-Milo-MHC Junior Hockey League yesterday.
However, the win was not an impressive one, as PJCC were hardly in the match as they toyed around with USM at the second pitch at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
At the adjacent pitch, UniKL Young Guns hammered Andersons 8-0 to keep pace with PJCC.
USM took the lead off Rahimi Iskandar in the 24th minute, but Shahiram Zali gave PJCC a lifeline with a penalty corner conversion in the 27th minute, while Ahmad Iqwan nailed the winner in the 50th minute.
The UniKL goals were scored by Haziq Samsul (sixth), Syafiq Zulzairin (18th), Fitri Ismail (23rd, 26th), Izzat Ikmal (48th), Hafif Elkan (59th), Ashran Hamsani (63rd) and Azrul Hasbullah (67th).
"We only have two more matches against Malacca High School (Saturday) and SSTMI (Sunday), and for sure, we need to keep up the winning momentum to snatch the League title. There is little room for mistakes for the next 140 minutes, and I feel my players are up to it," said PJCC team manager Zanal Abidin.
However even though PJCC won both their matches this wekend, it was a struggle as they came back from one goal down to beat Andersons and USM 2-1.
"The eight goals were a super show from my players, but goals no longer count as we need to win all our remaining matches and hope that the leaders (PJCC) drop points when they play SSTMI.
"But if PJCC beat SSTMI, the league title will be all theirs, and we will be fighting for the second spot," said UniKL team manager Faiz Isa.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
PJCC 5 5 0 0 9 4 15
UniKL 5 4 0 1 24 5 12
SSTMI 3 3 0 0 16 0 9
Malacca HS 4 1 2 1 7 15 5
Anderson 4 1 1 2 6 13 4
SSTMI Jnrs 5 1 1 3 6 16 4
USM-MSSSPP 3 0 0 3 2 8 0
BJSS 5 0 0 5 3 12 0
GROUP A
P W D L F A Pts
Kelantan 5 5 0 0 19 5 15
Kedah HA Jnrs 7 3 3 1 14 6 12
STAR Ipoh 5 3 1 1 5 7 10
1Mas Penang 5 3 0 2 12 5 9
Perlis 4 2 1 1 15 9 7
Anderson Jnrs 4 2 1 1 9 6 7
Matri 5 1 1 3 5 13 4
SERATAS 5 0 1 4 1 10 1
Nur Insafi 6 0 0 6 1 20 0
GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
KLSS 5 5 0 0 20 6 15
OLAK 6 4 0 2 14 5 12
K Langat 7 4 0 3 10 28 12
Datuk Taha 6 3 1 2 17 5 10
TM Pahang 6 3 1 2 16 11 10
Poli KPT 4 3 0 1 15 4 9
TBSS 7 3 0 4 14 17 9
Johor HA 5 1 0 4 8 16 3
BJSS Jnrs 5 1 0 4 5 19 3
SMKPM 5 0 0 5 9 18 0
Division Two: Group A -- Nur Insafi 0 Kedah HA Juniors 5, STAR 1 1Mas Penang 0, Perlis 6 Matrix 2.
Group B: Bukit Jalil SS Juniors 2 Kuala Langat 3, Politeknik KPT 6 Tunku Besar Secondary School 1.
PETALING Jaya City Council (PJCC) edged Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) 2-1 for their fifth consecutive win to top Division One of the NSC-Milo-MHC Junior Hockey League yesterday.
However, the win was not an impressive one, as PJCC were hardly in the match as they toyed around with USM at the second pitch at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
At the adjacent pitch, UniKL Young Guns hammered Andersons 8-0 to keep pace with PJCC.
USM took the lead off Rahimi Iskandar in the 24th minute, but Shahiram Zali gave PJCC a lifeline with a penalty corner conversion in the 27th minute, while Ahmad Iqwan nailed the winner in the 50th minute.
The UniKL goals were scored by Haziq Samsul (sixth), Syafiq Zulzairin (18th), Fitri Ismail (23rd, 26th), Izzat Ikmal (48th), Hafif Elkan (59th), Ashran Hamsani (63rd) and Azrul Hasbullah (67th).
"We only have two more matches against Malacca High School (Saturday) and SSTMI (Sunday), and for sure, we need to keep up the winning momentum to snatch the League title. There is little room for mistakes for the next 140 minutes, and I feel my players are up to it," said PJCC team manager Zanal Abidin.
However even though PJCC won both their matches this wekend, it was a struggle as they came back from one goal down to beat Andersons and USM 2-1.
"The eight goals were a super show from my players, but goals no longer count as we need to win all our remaining matches and hope that the leaders (PJCC) drop points when they play SSTMI.
"But if PJCC beat SSTMI, the league title will be all theirs, and we will be fighting for the second spot," said UniKL team manager Faiz Isa.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
PJCC 5 5 0 0 9 4 15
UniKL 5 4 0 1 24 5 12
SSTMI 3 3 0 0 16 0 9
Malacca HS 4 1 2 1 7 15 5
Anderson 4 1 1 2 6 13 4
SSTMI Jnrs 5 1 1 3 6 16 4
USM-MSSSPP 3 0 0 3 2 8 0
BJSS 5 0 0 5 3 12 0
GROUP A
P W D L F A Pts
Kelantan 5 5 0 0 19 5 15
Kedah HA Jnrs 7 3 3 1 14 6 12
STAR Ipoh 5 3 1 1 5 7 10
1Mas Penang 5 3 0 2 12 5 9
Perlis 4 2 1 1 15 9 7
Anderson Jnrs 4 2 1 1 9 6 7
Matri 5 1 1 3 5 13 4
SERATAS 5 0 1 4 1 10 1
Nur Insafi 6 0 0 6 1 20 0
GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
KLSS 5 5 0 0 20 6 15
OLAK 6 4 0 2 14 5 12
K Langat 7 4 0 3 10 28 12
Datuk Taha 6 3 1 2 17 5 10
TM Pahang 6 3 1 2 16 11 10
Poli KPT 4 3 0 1 15 4 9
TBSS 7 3 0 4 14 17 9
Johor HA 5 1 0 4 8 16 3
BJSS Jnrs 5 1 0 4 5 19 3
SMKPM 5 0 0 5 9 18 0
Friday, January 25, 2013
PJCC, UniKL pile the pressure...
UNIKL Young Guns beat Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) 4-1 in Division One of the NSC-Milo-MHC Junior Hockey League to keep the league alive at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
And Petaling Jaya City Council (PJCC) also kept the pressure on double champions Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI), by topping the standings after they beat Andersons 2-1.
But it is only expected to be a temporary high for PJCC, because SSTMI are not slated to play any matches this weekend.
However, PJCC were made to sweat for their win as it was Andersons who drew first blood when Sofian Kamaruddin scored in the fifth minute, but PJCC came back into the picture with a goal from Shahiram Zali in the seventh, and Nazirul Mubin (54th)
As for UniKL Azrul Hasbullah (sixth), Haziq Samsul (31st, 34th), Meor Azuan (39th) made it count while the USM goal was scored by Rahimi Iskandar in the seventh minute.
UniKL coach manager Faiz Isa said the win was crucial, as they still can make an attempt to win the League title this season.
"It was a rather hesitant start as the pitch conditions were heavy after heavy rain. But we really should have scored more goals as that could well decide where the league title heads," said Faiz.
"We were scrappy in this match and need to be sharper in the semi circle. But credit must be given to our opponents for fighting hard for every ball.
"It will be another tough match tomorrow (today) as Anderson are an experienced side as well and could trouble us if we do not take our chances.
"There is still everything to play for as far as we are concerned and the defeat to PJCC (1-0) is long forgotten. We have an outside chance to win the title and in order to keep that hopes alive we need to keep on winning matches and let our match against SSTMI be the decider."
UniKL were double silver medallists last season, as they played bridesmaid on both occasions to SSTMI.
In Division Two, Group B, the Kuala Lumpur Sports School versus Kuala Langat match was abandoned after torrential rain flooded the Education Ministry pitch at Pantai.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
PJCC 4 4 0 0 7 3 12
SSTMI 3 3 0 0 16 0 9
UniKL 4 3 0 1 16 5 9
Anderson 3 1 1 1 6 5 4
Malacca HS 3 1 1 1 6 14 4
SSTMI Jnrs 4 1 0 3 5 15 3
USM-MSSSPP 2 0 0 2 1 6 0
BJSS 5 0 0 5 3 12 0
GROUP A
P W D L F A Pts
Kelantan 5 5 0 0 19 5 15
1Mas Penang 4 3 0 1 12 4 9
Kedah HA Jnrs 6 2 3 1 9 6 9
Anderson Jnrs 4 2 1 1 9 6 7
STAR Ipoh 4 2 1 1 4 7 7
Perlis 3 1 1 1 9 7 4
Matri 4 1 1 2 3 7 4
SERATAS 5 0 1 4 1 10 1
Nur Insafi 5 0 0 5 1 15 0
GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
KLSS 5 5 0 0 20 6 15
OLAK 6 4 0 2 14 5 12
Datuk Taha 6 3 1 2 17 5 10
TM Pahang 6 3 1 2 16 11 10
TBSS 6 3 0 3 13 10 9
K Langat 6 3 0 3 7 26 9
Poli KPT 3 2 0 1 9 3 6
BJSS Jnrs 4 1 0 3 3 16 3
Johor HA 5 1 0 4 8 16 3
SMKPM 5 0 0 5 9 18 0
RESULTS: Division One -- Petaling Jaya CC 2 Andersons 1, UniKL 4 USM 1.
Division Two: Group A -- Matri 1 Nur Insafi 0, Anderson Juniors 3 1Mas Penang 0.
Group B: Kuala Lumpur SS v Kuala Langat (Match abandoned, rain), Johor HA 2 Tunku Besar Secondary School 1.
TODAY: Division One -- Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS Juniors v Malacca High School (Taman Daya, 5pm), UniKL v Andersons (National Stadium I, 5pm), Petaling Jaya CC v USM (National Stadium II, 5pm).
Division Two: Group A -- Nur Insafi v Kedah HA Juniors (Sungai Petani, 5pm), SERATAS v Anderson Juniors (Azlan Shah,5pm), STAR v 1Mas Penang (Azlan Shah, 7pm), Perlis v Matri (Alor Star, 5pm).
Group B: Bukit Jalil SS Juniors v Kuala Langat (Ministry of Education, 5pm), Politeknik KPT v Tunku Besar Secondary School (Taman Daya, 5pm).
And Petaling Jaya City Council (PJCC) also kept the pressure on double champions Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI), by topping the standings after they beat Andersons 2-1.
But it is only expected to be a temporary high for PJCC, because SSTMI are not slated to play any matches this weekend.
However, PJCC were made to sweat for their win as it was Andersons who drew first blood when Sofian Kamaruddin scored in the fifth minute, but PJCC came back into the picture with a goal from Shahiram Zali in the seventh, and Nazirul Mubin (54th)
As for UniKL Azrul Hasbullah (sixth), Haziq Samsul (31st, 34th), Meor Azuan (39th) made it count while the USM goal was scored by Rahimi Iskandar in the seventh minute.
UniKL coach manager Faiz Isa said the win was crucial, as they still can make an attempt to win the League title this season.
"It was a rather hesitant start as the pitch conditions were heavy after heavy rain. But we really should have scored more goals as that could well decide where the league title heads," said Faiz.
"We were scrappy in this match and need to be sharper in the semi circle. But credit must be given to our opponents for fighting hard for every ball.
"It will be another tough match tomorrow (today) as Anderson are an experienced side as well and could trouble us if we do not take our chances.
"There is still everything to play for as far as we are concerned and the defeat to PJCC (1-0) is long forgotten. We have an outside chance to win the title and in order to keep that hopes alive we need to keep on winning matches and let our match against SSTMI be the decider."
UniKL were double silver medallists last season, as they played bridesmaid on both occasions to SSTMI.
In Division Two, Group B, the Kuala Lumpur Sports School versus Kuala Langat match was abandoned after torrential rain flooded the Education Ministry pitch at Pantai.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
PJCC 4 4 0 0 7 3 12
SSTMI 3 3 0 0 16 0 9
UniKL 4 3 0 1 16 5 9
Anderson 3 1 1 1 6 5 4
Malacca HS 3 1 1 1 6 14 4
SSTMI Jnrs 4 1 0 3 5 15 3
USM-MSSSPP 2 0 0 2 1 6 0
BJSS 5 0 0 5 3 12 0
GROUP A
P W D L F A Pts
Kelantan 5 5 0 0 19 5 15
1Mas Penang 4 3 0 1 12 4 9
Kedah HA Jnrs 6 2 3 1 9 6 9
Anderson Jnrs 4 2 1 1 9 6 7
STAR Ipoh 4 2 1 1 4 7 7
Perlis 3 1 1 1 9 7 4
Matri 4 1 1 2 3 7 4
SERATAS 5 0 1 4 1 10 1
Nur Insafi 5 0 0 5 1 15 0
GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
KLSS 5 5 0 0 20 6 15
OLAK 6 4 0 2 14 5 12
Datuk Taha 6 3 1 2 17 5 10
TM Pahang 6 3 1 2 16 11 10
TBSS 6 3 0 3 13 10 9
K Langat 6 3 0 3 7 26 9
Poli KPT 3 2 0 1 9 3 6
BJSS Jnrs 4 1 0 3 3 16 3
Johor HA 5 1 0 4 8 16 3
SMKPM 5 0 0 5 9 18 0
RESULTS: Division One -- Petaling Jaya CC 2 Andersons 1, UniKL 4 USM 1.
Division Two: Group A -- Matri 1 Nur Insafi 0, Anderson Juniors 3 1Mas Penang 0.
Group B: Kuala Lumpur SS v Kuala Langat (Match abandoned, rain), Johor HA 2 Tunku Besar Secondary School 1.
TODAY: Division One -- Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS Juniors v Malacca High School (Taman Daya, 5pm), UniKL v Andersons (National Stadium I, 5pm), Petaling Jaya CC v USM (National Stadium II, 5pm).
Division Two: Group A -- Nur Insafi v Kedah HA Juniors (Sungai Petani, 5pm), SERATAS v Anderson Juniors (Azlan Shah,5pm), STAR v 1Mas Penang (Azlan Shah, 7pm), Perlis v Matri (Alor Star, 5pm).
Group B: Bukit Jalil SS Juniors v Kuala Langat (Ministry of Education, 5pm), Politeknik KPT v Tunku Besar Secondary School (Taman Daya, 5pm).
Thursday, January 24, 2013
SSTMI could land title while on vacation..
DOUBLE champions Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) are sitting pretty at the top of Division One after three wins, and could land the NSC-Milo-MHC Junior Hockey League league title while on a three-week vacation.
The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) competitions committee gave SSTMI a three-week holiday after playing three consecutive matches in the first week of the season, and now, their nearest rivals could hand them the title this weekend.
Petaling Jaya City Council (PJCC) who also have nine points, play two matches against Andersons and then Universiti Sains Malaysia, while third-placed UniKL, on six points, play USM and then Andersons.
And if PJCC and UniKL drop points, it will be music to the ears of table toppers SSTMI as the league title would be theirs while on vacation.
UniKL shed three points when they succumbed to a final minute goal against PJCC at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil last week. And that defeat was a bitter blow to their title hopes.
“Over the week the mood has been rather sombre at training as the players came to terms that they let slip the points due to poor finishing and in their eagerness to score which left a gap that PJCC exploited," said UniKL team manager Faiz Isa.
“Simply put we just cannot afford to drop even one point even though we have tough matches this weekend. Both USM and Andersons have players that have had the experience of playing in the MHL over the years.
“Hence there is no question of taking things for granted as I am well aware that UniKL are the team that all aspire to beat and we must be wary of this fact. The PJCC defeat was a timely wake up call, and I urge the players to respond with a polished display over the weekend,” said Faiz.
PJCC coach Azlan Saufi Hafifi also knows the score: “We finally beat UniKL for the first time since they made their JHL debut and it was exhilarating for my players. However, we can’t afford to even lost once in our remaining four matches to lift the title.”
While the battle for the Division One title boils down to three teams, it is a hot battle for the top two spots in each of the two pools in Division Two.
In Group A, Kelantan are at the top with 15 points, and trailing them on nine points are 1Mas Penang who have nine points after three matches, the same as Kedah Juniors, who have played six matches.
Group B has some six teams still within a chance to finish amongst the top two. Kuala Lumpur Sports School are unbeaten with 15 points from five matches and in second spot are Olak-PKT who have 12 points.
However Datuk Taha and Tunas Muda Pahang (10 points each) as well as Tunku Besar Secondary School and Kuala Langat, who have nine points each, are within striking distance.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI 3 3 0 0 16 0 9
PJCC 3 3 0 0 5 2 9
UniKL 3 2 0 1 12 4 6
Anderson 2 1 1 0 5 3 4
Malacca HS 3 1 1 1 6 14 4
SSTMI Jnrs 4 1 0 3 5 15 3
USM-MSSSPP 1 0 0 1 0 2 0
BJSS 5 0 0 5 3 12 0
GROUP A
P W D L F A Pts
Kelantan 5 5 0 0 19 5 15
1Mas Penang 3 3 0 0 12 1 9
Kedah HA Jnrs 6 2 3 1 9 6 9
STAR Ipoh 4 2 1 1 4 7 7
Perlis 3 1 1 1 9 7 4
Anderson Jnrs 3 1 1 1 6 6 4
Matri 3 0 1 2 2 7 1
SERATAS 5 0 1 4 1 10 1
Nur Insafi 4 0 0 4 1 14 0
GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
KLSS 5 5 0 0 20 6 15
OLAK 6 4 0 2 14 5 12
Datuk Taha 6 3 1 2 17 5 10
TM Pahang 6 3 1 2 16 11 10
TBSS 5 3 0 2 12 8 9
K Langat 6 3 0 3 7 26 9
Poli KPT 3 2 0 1 9 3 6
BJSS Jnrs 4 1 0 3 3 16 3
SMKPM 5 0 0 5 9 18 0
Johor HA 4 0 0 4 6 15 0
TODAY: Division One -- Petaling Jaya CC v Andersons (National Stadium I, 7pm), UniKL v USM (National Stadium II, 7pm).
Division Two: Group A -- Matri v Nur Insafi (Alor Star, 5pm), Anderson Juniors v 1Mas Penang (Azlan Shah, 5pm).
Group B: Olak PKT v Bukit Jalil SS Juniors (National Stadium I, 5pm), Kuala Lumpur SS v Kuala Langat (National Stadium II, 5pm), Johor HA v Tunku Besar Secondary School (Taman Daya, 5pm).
TOMORROW: Division One -- Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS Juniors v Malacca High School (Taman Daya, 5pm), UniKL v Andersons (National Stadium I, 5pm), Petaling Jaya CC v USM (National Stadium II, 5pm).
Division Two: Group A -- Nur Insafi v Kedah HA Juniors (Sungai Petani, 5pm), SERATAS v Anderson Juniors (Azlan Shah,5pm), STAR v 1Mas Penang (Azlan Shah, 7pm), Perlis v Matri (Alor Star, 5pm).
Group B: Bukit Jalil SS Juniors v Kuala Langat (Ministry of Education, 5pm), Politeknik KPT v Tunku Besar Secondary School (Taman Daya, 5pm).
The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) competitions committee gave SSTMI a three-week holiday after playing three consecutive matches in the first week of the season, and now, their nearest rivals could hand them the title this weekend.
Petaling Jaya City Council (PJCC) who also have nine points, play two matches against Andersons and then Universiti Sains Malaysia, while third-placed UniKL, on six points, play USM and then Andersons.
And if PJCC and UniKL drop points, it will be music to the ears of table toppers SSTMI as the league title would be theirs while on vacation.
UniKL shed three points when they succumbed to a final minute goal against PJCC at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil last week. And that defeat was a bitter blow to their title hopes.
“Over the week the mood has been rather sombre at training as the players came to terms that they let slip the points due to poor finishing and in their eagerness to score which left a gap that PJCC exploited," said UniKL team manager Faiz Isa.
“Simply put we just cannot afford to drop even one point even though we have tough matches this weekend. Both USM and Andersons have players that have had the experience of playing in the MHL over the years.
“Hence there is no question of taking things for granted as I am well aware that UniKL are the team that all aspire to beat and we must be wary of this fact. The PJCC defeat was a timely wake up call, and I urge the players to respond with a polished display over the weekend,” said Faiz.
PJCC coach Azlan Saufi Hafifi also knows the score: “We finally beat UniKL for the first time since they made their JHL debut and it was exhilarating for my players. However, we can’t afford to even lost once in our remaining four matches to lift the title.”
While the battle for the Division One title boils down to three teams, it is a hot battle for the top two spots in each of the two pools in Division Two.
In Group A, Kelantan are at the top with 15 points, and trailing them on nine points are 1Mas Penang who have nine points after three matches, the same as Kedah Juniors, who have played six matches.
Group B has some six teams still within a chance to finish amongst the top two. Kuala Lumpur Sports School are unbeaten with 15 points from five matches and in second spot are Olak-PKT who have 12 points.
However Datuk Taha and Tunas Muda Pahang (10 points each) as well as Tunku Besar Secondary School and Kuala Langat, who have nine points each, are within striking distance.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI 3 3 0 0 16 0 9
PJCC 3 3 0 0 5 2 9
UniKL 3 2 0 1 12 4 6
Anderson 2 1 1 0 5 3 4
Malacca HS 3 1 1 1 6 14 4
SSTMI Jnrs 4 1 0 3 5 15 3
USM-MSSSPP 1 0 0 1 0 2 0
BJSS 5 0 0 5 3 12 0
GROUP A
P W D L F A Pts
Kelantan 5 5 0 0 19 5 15
1Mas Penang 3 3 0 0 12 1 9
Kedah HA Jnrs 6 2 3 1 9 6 9
STAR Ipoh 4 2 1 1 4 7 7
Perlis 3 1 1 1 9 7 4
Anderson Jnrs 3 1 1 1 6 6 4
Matri 3 0 1 2 2 7 1
SERATAS 5 0 1 4 1 10 1
Nur Insafi 4 0 0 4 1 14 0
GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
KLSS 5 5 0 0 20 6 15
OLAK 6 4 0 2 14 5 12
Datuk Taha 6 3 1 2 17 5 10
TM Pahang 6 3 1 2 16 11 10
TBSS 5 3 0 2 12 8 9
K Langat 6 3 0 3 7 26 9
Poli KPT 3 2 0 1 9 3 6
BJSS Jnrs 4 1 0 3 3 16 3
SMKPM 5 0 0 5 9 18 0
Johor HA 4 0 0 4 6 15 0
TODAY: Division One -- Petaling Jaya CC v Andersons (National Stadium I, 7pm), UniKL v USM (National Stadium II, 7pm).
Division Two: Group A -- Matri v Nur Insafi (Alor Star, 5pm), Anderson Juniors v 1Mas Penang (Azlan Shah, 5pm).
Group B: Olak PKT v Bukit Jalil SS Juniors (National Stadium I, 5pm), Kuala Lumpur SS v Kuala Langat (National Stadium II, 5pm), Johor HA v Tunku Besar Secondary School (Taman Daya, 5pm).
TOMORROW: Division One -- Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS Juniors v Malacca High School (Taman Daya, 5pm), UniKL v Andersons (National Stadium I, 5pm), Petaling Jaya CC v USM (National Stadium II, 5pm).
Division Two: Group A -- Nur Insafi v Kedah HA Juniors (Sungai Petani, 5pm), SERATAS v Anderson Juniors (Azlan Shah,5pm), STAR v 1Mas Penang (Azlan Shah, 7pm), Perlis v Matri (Alor Star, 5pm).
Group B: Bukit Jalil SS Juniors v Kuala Langat (Ministry of Education, 5pm), Politeknik KPT v Tunku Besar Secondary School (Taman Daya, 5pm).
Monday, January 21, 2013
Why Bukit Jalil SS are now punching bag..
BUKIT Jalil Sports School (BJSS) were once masters of the Junior Hockey League as they romped away with seven consecutive league titles from 2003 to 2009.
They also hold a record five double titles won in 2004, 05, 07, 08 and 09.
But today, they are the punching bag of the ongoing NSC-Milo-MHC JHL as hey have been beaten five times in as many matches, with only two matches remaining in their season against Universiti Sains Malaysia and Anderson of Ipoh.
And even if they win both, the currently bottom played BJSS are highly likely to miss the knock-out overall quarter-finals which will see the top-six in Division One and the champions of Group A and Group B in Division Two playing.
BJSS has only scored three goals, and have let in 12 in their disastrous season.
BJSS coach S. Prakash said this is a team for the future, and their season has been one of near misses.
“We have lost four matches by one goal each time, while only UniKL hit us for 6-1. It is not what we are capable of, but still, my players are all eligible to play next year and so I feel this is a team for the future.
“However, having said that, we always lose our From Five Boys once they finish their examinations because they are scouted by other teams who offer them playing contracts.
“On the other hand, the school can only offer them education. So, naturally many of them leave for other teams who can afford to pay them.
“I’m not complaining about that because the players are free to leave after finishing their schooling with us, but that is one of the main factors that we can no longer match our proud history as pre-university boys no longer want to play for us,” said Prakash.
The fixtures have also been unkind to BJSS, as they are the only team in Division One who has played five matches, while the others have played only three, with Anderson just two matches, while University Sains Malaysia only one match at this juncture.
“We have been given a crazy fixture this season, and I have always advocated an open draw to make matters fair for al teams. But I don’t wan’t to argue about that with the MHC (Malaysian Hockey Confederation) as they can see for themselves how unfair the fixtures are for some teams, while others get a rosy fixture with plenty of rest in between,” said Prakash.
And over to the top, the League title is almost as good as Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports Schools’ after pretenders UniKL Young Guns lost 1-0 to Petaling Jaya City Council on Saturday.
SSTMI, tied on nine points, play PJCC on Feb 3, and a win would almost assure them of the League title before they square off against UniKL Young Guns on the final day of the League on Feb 7.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI 3 3 0 0 16 0 9
PJCC 3 3 0 0 5 2 9
UniKL 3 2 0 1 12 4 6
Anderson 2 1 1 0 5 3 4
Malacca HS 3 1 1 1 6 14 4
SSTMI Jnrs 4 1 0 3 5 15 3
USM-MSSSPP 1 0 0 1 0 2 0
BJSS 5 0 0 5 3 12 0
GROUP A
P W D L F A Pts
Kelantan 5 5 0 0 19 5 15
1Mas Penang 3 3 0 0 12 1 9
Kedah HA Jnrs 6 2 3 1 9 6 9
STAR Ipoh 4 2 1 1 4 7 7
Perlis 3 1 1 1 9 7 4
Anderson Jnrs 3 1 1 1 6 6 4
Matri 3 0 1 2 2 7 1
SERATAS 5 0 1 4 1 10 1
Nur Insafi 4 0 0 4 1 14 0
GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
KLSS 5 5 0 0 20 6 15
OLAK 6 4 0 2 14 5 12
Datuk Taha 6 3 1 2 17 5 10
TM Pahang 6 3 1 2 16 11 10
TBSS 5 3 0 2 12 8 9
K Langat 6 3 0 3 7 26 9
Poli KPT 3 2 0 1 9 3 6
BJSS Jnrs 4 1 0 3 3 16 3
SMKPM 5 0 0 5 9 18 0
Johor HA 4 0 0 4 6 15 0
They also hold a record five double titles won in 2004, 05, 07, 08 and 09.
But today, they are the punching bag of the ongoing NSC-Milo-MHC JHL as hey have been beaten five times in as many matches, with only two matches remaining in their season against Universiti Sains Malaysia and Anderson of Ipoh.
And even if they win both, the currently bottom played BJSS are highly likely to miss the knock-out overall quarter-finals which will see the top-six in Division One and the champions of Group A and Group B in Division Two playing.
BJSS has only scored three goals, and have let in 12 in their disastrous season.
BJSS coach S. Prakash said this is a team for the future, and their season has been one of near misses.
“We have lost four matches by one goal each time, while only UniKL hit us for 6-1. It is not what we are capable of, but still, my players are all eligible to play next year and so I feel this is a team for the future.
“However, having said that, we always lose our From Five Boys once they finish their examinations because they are scouted by other teams who offer them playing contracts.
“On the other hand, the school can only offer them education. So, naturally many of them leave for other teams who can afford to pay them.
“I’m not complaining about that because the players are free to leave after finishing their schooling with us, but that is one of the main factors that we can no longer match our proud history as pre-university boys no longer want to play for us,” said Prakash.
The fixtures have also been unkind to BJSS, as they are the only team in Division One who has played five matches, while the others have played only three, with Anderson just two matches, while University Sains Malaysia only one match at this juncture.
“We have been given a crazy fixture this season, and I have always advocated an open draw to make matters fair for al teams. But I don’t wan’t to argue about that with the MHC (Malaysian Hockey Confederation) as they can see for themselves how unfair the fixtures are for some teams, while others get a rosy fixture with plenty of rest in between,” said Prakash.
And over to the top, the League title is almost as good as Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports Schools’ after pretenders UniKL Young Guns lost 1-0 to Petaling Jaya City Council on Saturday.
SSTMI, tied on nine points, play PJCC on Feb 3, and a win would almost assure them of the League title before they square off against UniKL Young Guns on the final day of the League on Feb 7.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI 3 3 0 0 16 0 9
PJCC 3 3 0 0 5 2 9
UniKL 3 2 0 1 12 4 6
Anderson 2 1 1 0 5 3 4
Malacca HS 3 1 1 1 6 14 4
SSTMI Jnrs 4 1 0 3 5 15 3
USM-MSSSPP 1 0 0 1 0 2 0
BJSS 5 0 0 5 3 12 0
GROUP A
P W D L F A Pts
Kelantan 5 5 0 0 19 5 15
1Mas Penang 3 3 0 0 12 1 9
Kedah HA Jnrs 6 2 3 1 9 6 9
STAR Ipoh 4 2 1 1 4 7 7
Perlis 3 1 1 1 9 7 4
Anderson Jnrs 3 1 1 1 6 6 4
Matri 3 0 1 2 2 7 1
SERATAS 5 0 1 4 1 10 1
Nur Insafi 4 0 0 4 1 14 0
GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
KLSS 5 5 0 0 20 6 15
OLAK 6 4 0 2 14 5 12
Datuk Taha 6 3 1 2 17 5 10
TM Pahang 6 3 1 2 16 11 10
TBSS 5 3 0 2 12 8 9
K Langat 6 3 0 3 7 26 9
Poli KPT 3 2 0 1 9 3 6
BJSS Jnrs 4 1 0 3 3 16 3
SMKPM 5 0 0 5 9 18 0
Johor HA 4 0 0 4 6 15 0
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Olak on course for semi-finals
OLD La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak-PKT) edged Datuk Taha 1-0 yesterday to keep their sights on playing in the semi-finals of Division Two in the NSC-Milo-MHC Junior Hockey League.
And in the only Division One match of the day, Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS Juniors beat Bukit Jalil Sports School 1-0 courtesy of Aliff Syazwan’s 48th minute penalty corner strike.
The Olak hero was Izaidi Ismail who nailed the winner in the fifth minute, but Olak team manager Joseph de Silva rued the missed sitters.
“We could have won by a bigger margin but my players muffed plenty of sitters and turned it into a difficult match. But still, the three points have moved us to second spot on the standings and now we will challenge for the semi-finals slot by keeping the momentum in our remaining three matches,” said Joseph.
Kuala Lumpur Sports School (KLSS) top the Group B standings on 15 points after five matches, while Olak trail on 12 points, as they have played one match more and lost two games.
“Our mistakes this season were against KLSS and Tunku Besar where we lost by identical 2-1 scores. However, all is not lost, as the win against Datuk Taha has given us fresh hopes,” said Joseph.
RESULTS: Division One: Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS Juniors 1 Bukit Jalil SS 0.
Division Two -- Group A: SERATAS 0 Kelantan HA 2, Nur Insafi 0 STAR 1, Kedah HA Juniors 2 Anderson Juniors 2.
Group B: Johor HA 2 Kuala Lumpur Sports School 5, Kuala Langat 1 Tunas Muda Pahang 8, Olak KPT 1 Datuk Taha 0, Tunku Besar Secondary School 5 Padang Midin 3.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI 3 3 0 0 16 0 9
PJCC 3 3 0 0 5 2 9
UniKL 3 2 0 1 12 4 6
Anderson 2 1 1 0 5 3 4
Malacca HS 3 1 1 1 6 14 4
SSTMI Jnrs 4 1 0 3 5 15 3
USM-MSSSPP 1 0 0 1 0 2 0
BJSS 5 0 0 5 3 12 0
GROUP A
P W D L F A Pts
Kelantan 5 5 0 0 19 5 15
1Mas Penang 3 3 0 0 12 1 9
Kedah HA Jnrs 6 2 3 1 9 6 9
STAR Ipoh 4 2 1 1 4 7 7
Perlis 3 1 1 1 9 7 4
Anderson Jnrs 3 1 1 1 6 6 4
Matri 3 0 1 2 2 7 1
SERATAS 5 0 1 4 1 10 1
Nur Insafi 4 0 0 4 1 14 0
GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
KLSS 5 5 0 0 20 6 15
OLAK 6 4 0 2 14 5 12
Datuk Taha 6 3 1 2 17 5 10
TM Pahang 6 3 1 2 16 11 10
TBSS 5 3 0 2 12 8 9
K Langat 6 3 0 3 7 26 9
Poli KPT 3 2 0 1 9 3 6
BJSS Jnrs 4 1 0 3 3 16 3
SMKPM 5 0 0 5 9 18 0
Johor HA 4 0 0 4 6 15 0
And in the only Division One match of the day, Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS Juniors beat Bukit Jalil Sports School 1-0 courtesy of Aliff Syazwan’s 48th minute penalty corner strike.
The Olak hero was Izaidi Ismail who nailed the winner in the fifth minute, but Olak team manager Joseph de Silva rued the missed sitters.
“We could have won by a bigger margin but my players muffed plenty of sitters and turned it into a difficult match. But still, the three points have moved us to second spot on the standings and now we will challenge for the semi-finals slot by keeping the momentum in our remaining three matches,” said Joseph.
Kuala Lumpur Sports School (KLSS) top the Group B standings on 15 points after five matches, while Olak trail on 12 points, as they have played one match more and lost two games.
“Our mistakes this season were against KLSS and Tunku Besar where we lost by identical 2-1 scores. However, all is not lost, as the win against Datuk Taha has given us fresh hopes,” said Joseph.
RESULTS: Division One: Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS Juniors 1 Bukit Jalil SS 0.
Division Two -- Group A: SERATAS 0 Kelantan HA 2, Nur Insafi 0 STAR 1, Kedah HA Juniors 2 Anderson Juniors 2.
Group B: Johor HA 2 Kuala Lumpur Sports School 5, Kuala Langat 1 Tunas Muda Pahang 8, Olak KPT 1 Datuk Taha 0, Tunku Besar Secondary School 5 Padang Midin 3.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI 3 3 0 0 16 0 9
PJCC 3 3 0 0 5 2 9
UniKL 3 2 0 1 12 4 6
Anderson 2 1 1 0 5 3 4
Malacca HS 3 1 1 1 6 14 4
SSTMI Jnrs 4 1 0 3 5 15 3
USM-MSSSPP 1 0 0 1 0 2 0
BJSS 5 0 0 5 3 12 0
GROUP A
P W D L F A Pts
Kelantan 5 5 0 0 19 5 15
1Mas Penang 3 3 0 0 12 1 9
Kedah HA Jnrs 6 2 3 1 9 6 9
STAR Ipoh 4 2 1 1 4 7 7
Perlis 3 1 1 1 9 7 4
Anderson Jnrs 3 1 1 1 6 6 4
Matri 3 0 1 2 2 7 1
SERATAS 5 0 1 4 1 10 1
Nur Insafi 4 0 0 4 1 14 0
GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
KLSS 5 5 0 0 20 6 15
OLAK 6 4 0 2 14 5 12
Datuk Taha 6 3 1 2 17 5 10
TM Pahang 6 3 1 2 16 11 10
TBSS 5 3 0 2 12 8 9
K Langat 6 3 0 3 7 26 9
Poli KPT 3 2 0 1 9 3 6
BJSS Jnrs 4 1 0 3 3 16 3
SMKPM 5 0 0 5 9 18 0
Johor HA 4 0 0 4 6 15 0
Two bites to the World Cup cherry..
MALAYSIAN hockey received a lifeline to qualify for next year’s World Cup, after Johor was awarded the hosting rights for the semi-final stage of the World League on June 1-9 at the Taman Daya Stadium.
This came about after Germany withdrew as hosts, making Malaysia’s route to the World Cup easier as they no longer have to play in the Third Leg if the World Series in Russia, and the top-three in Johor are assured of a spot in next year’s World Cup.
The new host-job also meant that Malaysia would have two bites of the cherry, as Ipoh will also host the Asia Cup on Aug 24-Sept 1, but it only offers a single spot for the World Cup.
The top eight teams qualify to Round Three automatically and so Malaysia are expected to face off against four of the top eight in the International Hockey Federation (FIH) rankings. The to-eight are Germany, Australia, Holland, England, Pakistan, New Zealand, Spain and South Korea.
The other teams for the semi final stages, to be held in Johor and Holland, will come from the Round Two stage that will be held in India, Brazil, France and Russia in the next four months.
Malaysian Hockey Confederation President Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has confirmed Malaysia as the host for the tournament.
“It is an honor to play host to this prestigious event that will not only feature top ranked teams but also provide Malaysia an opportunity to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Holland,” said Tengku Abdullah.
“I must record my appreciation to the Johor State Government for graciously having consented to hold the event in Johor Baru.
“There is no doubt that hockey has a tremendous fan base in Johor and I am sure that the Malaysian team will benefit from the support they will receive in their quest to make the World Cup on merit for the first time since 1998.”
Malaysia last played in the World Cup in 2002 when it was held in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia played in the 1998 World Cup in Holland after a hiatus of 16 years as prior to that India 1982 was the last appearance for Malaysia.
There will be two Round 3 tournaments with eight teams each. These tournaments will feature two pools of four teams and will have placement games following the Round Robin. The second semi final is to be held in Holland.
In the semis, the top eight teams from the FIH rankings will join the qualifiers from the four second round tournaments that are to be held in India, Brazil, France and Russia.
Tengku Abdullah said the opportunity to host the Semi Finals arose when Germany who was the original hosts withdrew and FIH approached Malaysia.
“A lot of thought was put into the idea of playing host and after looking at the benefits that will avail to our national team, we put in a bid, but only after getting the official nod from Johor,” said Tengku Abdullah.
“With this development Malaysia is exempt from playing in Round Two in Russia in May and this provides us with a perfect opportunity to try qualify for the World Cup.”
National coach Paul Revington was happy with the turn of events: “ “Malaysian hockey has a very proud history of successfully hosting FIH World Level events and it is no surprise that the FIH has turned to the MHC to host the World League semi final stage.
“The timing of this World Level event also fits perfectly with the long-term MHC development drive to promote the 1Mas, Project 2013 and 2017 teams as these youngsters need to watch more elite teams and players perform on Malaysian soil.
“This is obviously very exciting news and an added bonus for our Senior Team too who will relish the challenge and will aim to make full use of this opportunity.”
This came about after Germany withdrew as hosts, making Malaysia’s route to the World Cup easier as they no longer have to play in the Third Leg if the World Series in Russia, and the top-three in Johor are assured of a spot in next year’s World Cup.
The new host-job also meant that Malaysia would have two bites of the cherry, as Ipoh will also host the Asia Cup on Aug 24-Sept 1, but it only offers a single spot for the World Cup.
The top eight teams qualify to Round Three automatically and so Malaysia are expected to face off against four of the top eight in the International Hockey Federation (FIH) rankings. The to-eight are Germany, Australia, Holland, England, Pakistan, New Zealand, Spain and South Korea.
The other teams for the semi final stages, to be held in Johor and Holland, will come from the Round Two stage that will be held in India, Brazil, France and Russia in the next four months.
Malaysian Hockey Confederation President Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has confirmed Malaysia as the host for the tournament.
“It is an honor to play host to this prestigious event that will not only feature top ranked teams but also provide Malaysia an opportunity to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Holland,” said Tengku Abdullah.
“I must record my appreciation to the Johor State Government for graciously having consented to hold the event in Johor Baru.
“There is no doubt that hockey has a tremendous fan base in Johor and I am sure that the Malaysian team will benefit from the support they will receive in their quest to make the World Cup on merit for the first time since 1998.”
Malaysia last played in the World Cup in 2002 when it was held in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia played in the 1998 World Cup in Holland after a hiatus of 16 years as prior to that India 1982 was the last appearance for Malaysia.
There will be two Round 3 tournaments with eight teams each. These tournaments will feature two pools of four teams and will have placement games following the Round Robin. The second semi final is to be held in Holland.
In the semis, the top eight teams from the FIH rankings will join the qualifiers from the four second round tournaments that are to be held in India, Brazil, France and Russia.
Tengku Abdullah said the opportunity to host the Semi Finals arose when Germany who was the original hosts withdrew and FIH approached Malaysia.
“A lot of thought was put into the idea of playing host and after looking at the benefits that will avail to our national team, we put in a bid, but only after getting the official nod from Johor,” said Tengku Abdullah.
“With this development Malaysia is exempt from playing in Round Two in Russia in May and this provides us with a perfect opportunity to try qualify for the World Cup.”
National coach Paul Revington was happy with the turn of events: “ “Malaysian hockey has a very proud history of successfully hosting FIH World Level events and it is no surprise that the FIH has turned to the MHC to host the World League semi final stage.
“The timing of this World Level event also fits perfectly with the long-term MHC development drive to promote the 1Mas, Project 2013 and 2017 teams as these youngsters need to watch more elite teams and players perform on Malaysian soil.
“This is obviously very exciting news and an added bonus for our Senior Team too who will relish the challenge and will aim to make full use of this opportunity.”
Saturday, January 19, 2013
PJCC upset UniKL
PETALING Jaya City Council (PJCC) upset the formbook when they beat UniKL Young Guns 1-0 in Division One of the NSC-Milo-MHC Junior Hockey League at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
It was a 70th minute overhead by PJCC which saw Hafifi Rodzi collecting the ball and making a pass to Haikal Zami who cooly slotted home for the winner just as the hooter blew.
PJCC celebrated wildly, as it was their first win against UniKL since the university side made their debbut in the JHL in 2010.
UniKL played well below par in the first half, but still, PJCC could not make their shots count and the match was a drab 35 minutes affair.
However, frustration grew after the hooter as UniKL tried to break the duck and cards flew out of the referees' pockets.
And in the 50th minute, UniKL player Meor Azuan was yellow carded, but a head-count by the referee revealed that UniKL still had 11 players even though one player was on the bench.
The blunder saw UniKL skipper Syafiq Zulzairin being penalised with a green card but even with nine players to attack, PJCC still failed to score and the university side were left off the hook.
But the 70th minute overhead changed PJCC fortunes, and now they are tied on nine points with double champions Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School.
"It was a tough match which saw my players miss many sitters, but it was worth the 70 minute wait as we beat UniKL for the first time in the JHL since they made their debut. Now, we are in position to challenge SSTMI for the league title," said PJCC coach Azlan Saufi Hafifi.
UniKL coach K. Embaraj was frustrated with the defeat: "We gave a way three points and now it has become more difficult for us to challenge for the title this year."
RESULTS: Division One -- Petaling Jaya City Council 1 UniKL Young Guns 0, Malacca High School 3 Bukit Jalil Sports School 2.
Division Two: Group A -- Anderson Juniors 2 Kelantan HA 3; Group B: Bukit Jalil Sports School Juniors 0 Tunku Besar Secondary School 5.
TODAY: Division One: Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS v Bukit Jalil SS (Taman Daya, 5pm).
Division Two -- Group A: SERATAS v Kelantan HA (Azlan Shah Stadium, 5pm), Nur Insafi v STAR (Sungai Petani, 5pm), Kedah HA Juniors v Anderson Juniors (Alor Star, 5pm).
Group B: Johor HA v Kuala Lumpur Sports School (Taman Daya Pitch II, 5pm), Kuala Langat v Tunas Muda Pahang (National Stadium, 5pm), Olak KPT v Datuk Taha (National Stadium pitch II, 5pm), Tunku Besar Secondary School v Padang Midin (Tampin, 5pm).
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI 3 3 0 0 16 0 9
PJCC 3 3 0 0 5 2 9
UniKL 3 2 0 1 12 4 6
Anderson 2 1 1 0 5 3 4
Malacca HS 3 1 1 1 6 14 4
BJSS 4 0 0 4 3 11 0
USM-MSSSPP 1 0 0 1 0 2 0
SSTMI Jnrs 3 0 0 3 4 15 0
GROUP A
P W D L F A Pts
Kelantan KEL 4 4 0 0 17 5 12
1Mas Penang 3 3 0 0 12 1 9
Kedah HA Jnrs 5 2 2 1 7 4 8
Perlis 3 1 1 1 9 7 4
STAR Ipoh 3 1 1 1 3 7 4
Anderson Jnrs 2 1 0 1 4 4 3
Matri 3 0 1 2 2 7 1
SERATAS 4 0 1 3 1 8 1
Nur Insafi 3 0 0 3 1 13 0
GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
KLSS 4 4 0 0 15 4 12
Datuk Taha 6 3 1 2 17 6 10
OLAK 5 3 0 2 13 5 9
K Langat 5 3 0 2 6 18 9
TM Pahang 5 2 1 2 8 10 7
Poli KPT 3 2 0 1 9 3 6
TBSS 4 2 0 2 7 5 6
BJSS Jnrs 4 1 0 3 3 16 3
SMKPM 4 0 0 4 6 13 0
Johor HA 3 0 0 3 4 10 0
It was a 70th minute overhead by PJCC which saw Hafifi Rodzi collecting the ball and making a pass to Haikal Zami who cooly slotted home for the winner just as the hooter blew.
PJCC celebrated wildly, as it was their first win against UniKL since the university side made their debbut in the JHL in 2010.
UniKL played well below par in the first half, but still, PJCC could not make their shots count and the match was a drab 35 minutes affair.
However, frustration grew after the hooter as UniKL tried to break the duck and cards flew out of the referees' pockets.
And in the 50th minute, UniKL player Meor Azuan was yellow carded, but a head-count by the referee revealed that UniKL still had 11 players even though one player was on the bench.
The blunder saw UniKL skipper Syafiq Zulzairin being penalised with a green card but even with nine players to attack, PJCC still failed to score and the university side were left off the hook.
But the 70th minute overhead changed PJCC fortunes, and now they are tied on nine points with double champions Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School.
"It was a tough match which saw my players miss many sitters, but it was worth the 70 minute wait as we beat UniKL for the first time in the JHL since they made their debut. Now, we are in position to challenge SSTMI for the league title," said PJCC coach Azlan Saufi Hafifi.
UniKL coach K. Embaraj was frustrated with the defeat: "We gave a way three points and now it has become more difficult for us to challenge for the title this year."
RESULTS: Division One -- Petaling Jaya City Council 1 UniKL Young Guns 0, Malacca High School 3 Bukit Jalil Sports School 2.
Division Two: Group A -- Anderson Juniors 2 Kelantan HA 3; Group B: Bukit Jalil Sports School Juniors 0 Tunku Besar Secondary School 5.
TODAY: Division One: Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS v Bukit Jalil SS (Taman Daya, 5pm).
Division Two -- Group A: SERATAS v Kelantan HA (Azlan Shah Stadium, 5pm), Nur Insafi v STAR (Sungai Petani, 5pm), Kedah HA Juniors v Anderson Juniors (Alor Star, 5pm).
Group B: Johor HA v Kuala Lumpur Sports School (Taman Daya Pitch II, 5pm), Kuala Langat v Tunas Muda Pahang (National Stadium, 5pm), Olak KPT v Datuk Taha (National Stadium pitch II, 5pm), Tunku Besar Secondary School v Padang Midin (Tampin, 5pm).
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI 3 3 0 0 16 0 9
PJCC 3 3 0 0 5 2 9
UniKL 3 2 0 1 12 4 6
Anderson 2 1 1 0 5 3 4
Malacca HS 3 1 1 1 6 14 4
BJSS 4 0 0 4 3 11 0
USM-MSSSPP 1 0 0 1 0 2 0
SSTMI Jnrs 3 0 0 3 4 15 0
GROUP A
P W D L F A Pts
Kelantan KEL 4 4 0 0 17 5 12
1Mas Penang 3 3 0 0 12 1 9
Kedah HA Jnrs 5 2 2 1 7 4 8
Perlis 3 1 1 1 9 7 4
STAR Ipoh 3 1 1 1 3 7 4
Anderson Jnrs 2 1 0 1 4 4 3
Matri 3 0 1 2 2 7 1
SERATAS 4 0 1 3 1 8 1
Nur Insafi 3 0 0 3 1 13 0
GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
KLSS 4 4 0 0 15 4 12
Datuk Taha 6 3 1 2 17 6 10
OLAK 5 3 0 2 13 5 9
K Langat 5 3 0 2 6 18 9
TM Pahang 5 2 1 2 8 10 7
Poli KPT 3 2 0 1 9 3 6
TBSS 4 2 0 2 7 5 6
BJSS Jnrs 4 1 0 3 3 16 3
SMKPM 4 0 0 4 6 13 0
Johor HA 3 0 0 3 4 10 0
Friday, January 18, 2013
Petaling Jaya test for UniKL
UNIKL Young Guns will face their first test in Division One of the NSC-Milo-MHC Junior Hockey League then they square off against Petaling Jaya Municipal Council at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil today.
Both the teams have two wins after as many matches, and the winner will get a chance to be on par with double champions Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School.
“After two matches, my players have finally steeled down and are looking forward to a good outing against PJCC,” said UniKL coach K. Embaraj.
UniKL started with a 6-2 win over Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School Juniors, and then hit another sixer in their 6-1 win over Bukit jalil Sports School.
“The first two matches saw my players settling down a little late but I expect them to be on their toes from the first whistle against Petaling Jaya,” said Embaraj.
PJCC have also shown their mettle by beating SSTMI Juniors 3-2 and BJSS 1-0. But their scoreline was not as impressive as UniKL’s.
“We have scored more goals while PJCC beat the same teams by one-goal margin only. But that does notmean we can take them lightly.
“Our strength has been in the forward-line, and I expect them to grow even stronger in their third match of the season,” said Embaraj.
RESULTS -- Division Two: Group A: STAR 0 Kelantan HA 6, SERATAS 0 Kedah HA Juniors 2.
Group B: KL Sports School 3 Datuk Taha 1, Bukit Jalil SS Juniors 2 Padang Midin 0, Johor HA 1 Tunas Muda Pahang 2, Olak KPT 6 Kuala Langat 0.
TODAY: Division One -- Petaling Jaya City Council v UniKL Young Guns (national Stadium, 5pm), Malacca High School v Bukit Jalil Sports School (Malacca, 5pm).
Division Two: Group A -- Anderson Juniors v Kedah HA (Azlan Shah Stadium, 5pm), Bukit Jalil Sports School Juniors v Tunku Besar Secondary School (Ministry of Education, 5pm).
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI 3 3 0 0 16 0 9
UniKL 2 2 0 0 12 3 6
PJCC 2 2 0 0 4 2 6
Anderson 2 1 1 0 5 3 4
Malacca HS 2 0 1 1 3 12 1
BJSS 3 0 0 3 1 8 0
USM-MSSSPP 1 0 0 1 0 2 0
SSTMI Jnrs 3 0 0 3 4 15 0
DIVISION TWO
GROUP A
P W D L F A Pts
Kelantan KEL 3 3 0 0 14 3 9
1Mas Penang 3 3 0 0 12 1 9
Kedah HA Jnrs 5 2 2 1 7 4 8
Perlis 3 1 1 1 9 7 4
STAR Ipoh 3 1 1 1 3 7 4
Anderson Jnrs 1 1 0 0 2 1 3
Matri 3 0 1 2 2 7 1
SERATAS 4 0 1 3 1 8 1
Nur Insafi 3 0 0 3 1 13 0
GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
KLSS 4 4 0 0 15 4 12
Datuk Taha 6 3 1 2 17 6 10
OLAK 5 3 0 2 13 5 9
K Langat 5 3 0 2 6 18 9
TM Pahang 5 2 1 2 8 10 7
Poli KPT 3 2 0 1 9 3 6
TBSS 3 1 0 2 2 5 3
BJSS Jnrs 3 1 0 2 3 11 3
SMKPM 4 0 0 4 6 13 0
Johor HA 3 0 0 3 4 10 0
Both the teams have two wins after as many matches, and the winner will get a chance to be on par with double champions Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School.
“After two matches, my players have finally steeled down and are looking forward to a good outing against PJCC,” said UniKL coach K. Embaraj.
UniKL started with a 6-2 win over Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School Juniors, and then hit another sixer in their 6-1 win over Bukit jalil Sports School.
“The first two matches saw my players settling down a little late but I expect them to be on their toes from the first whistle against Petaling Jaya,” said Embaraj.
PJCC have also shown their mettle by beating SSTMI Juniors 3-2 and BJSS 1-0. But their scoreline was not as impressive as UniKL’s.
“We have scored more goals while PJCC beat the same teams by one-goal margin only. But that does notmean we can take them lightly.
“Our strength has been in the forward-line, and I expect them to grow even stronger in their third match of the season,” said Embaraj.
RESULTS -- Division Two: Group A: STAR 0 Kelantan HA 6, SERATAS 0 Kedah HA Juniors 2.
Group B: KL Sports School 3 Datuk Taha 1, Bukit Jalil SS Juniors 2 Padang Midin 0, Johor HA 1 Tunas Muda Pahang 2, Olak KPT 6 Kuala Langat 0.
TODAY: Division One -- Petaling Jaya City Council v UniKL Young Guns (national Stadium, 5pm), Malacca High School v Bukit Jalil Sports School (Malacca, 5pm).
Division Two: Group A -- Anderson Juniors v Kedah HA (Azlan Shah Stadium, 5pm), Bukit Jalil Sports School Juniors v Tunku Besar Secondary School (Ministry of Education, 5pm).
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI 3 3 0 0 16 0 9
UniKL 2 2 0 0 12 3 6
PJCC 2 2 0 0 4 2 6
Anderson 2 1 1 0 5 3 4
Malacca HS 2 0 1 1 3 12 1
BJSS 3 0 0 3 1 8 0
USM-MSSSPP 1 0 0 1 0 2 0
SSTMI Jnrs 3 0 0 3 4 15 0
DIVISION TWO
GROUP A
P W D L F A Pts
Kelantan KEL 3 3 0 0 14 3 9
1Mas Penang 3 3 0 0 12 1 9
Kedah HA Jnrs 5 2 2 1 7 4 8
Perlis 3 1 1 1 9 7 4
STAR Ipoh 3 1 1 1 3 7 4
Anderson Jnrs 1 1 0 0 2 1 3
Matri 3 0 1 2 2 7 1
SERATAS 4 0 1 3 1 8 1
Nur Insafi 3 0 0 3 1 13 0
GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
KLSS 4 4 0 0 15 4 12
Datuk Taha 6 3 1 2 17 6 10
OLAK 5 3 0 2 13 5 9
K Langat 5 3 0 2 6 18 9
TM Pahang 5 2 1 2 8 10 7
Poli KPT 3 2 0 1 9 3 6
TBSS 3 1 0 2 2 5 3
BJSS Jnrs 3 1 0 2 3 11 3
SMKPM 4 0 0 4 6 13 0
Johor HA 3 0 0 3 4 10 0
Quality MSSSC clinic for youth
THE Malaysia-Singapore Sikhs Sports Council (MSSSC) recently organised a Second 1Malaysia Youth Hockey Camp at the Tun Razak Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.
The hockey camp saw 81 participants from the ages of four to 18 from all states in Malaysia as well as Singapore.MSSSC president Datuk Sohan Singh Randhawa said the success of the camp has prompted the council to start planning the third edition.
"Plans are already afoot to hold another camp during the next school holidays because it was indeed a great sight to see so many young athletes coming together to learn the basics of hockey," said Sohan.
"I would also like to thank all the coaches and support staff for taking time off to have initial meetings prior to the commencement of the hockey camp which only goes to show the dedication and commitment of the coaches to ensure the success of the programme."
Balbir Singh, a former Tenaga Nasional coach, and current Negri Sembilan Under-14 coach, was assisted by 14 other coaches from Kuala Lumpur, Negri Sembilan, Perak, Selangor and Pahang in making the camp a success.
Gurmit Singh Cheema, the organising chairman of the camp said: "MSSSC provided the venue, equipment, refreshments, meals, medical facilities for all and accommodation for outstation participants for the duration of the hockey camp."
In the two-day camp, the players were put through different training drills at the various stations and at the end of the camp, all participants were presented with certificates of participation and a hockey ball each.
Sohan also presented hockey equipment -- goalkeeper's set, hockey balls and training cones/markers to the states that had requested assistance for sports goods to be used for hockey projects in their states.
"The camp was a great leap forward and all affiliates of MSSSC should be motivated to implement their individual hockey development programmes to ensure there is continuity," Balbir said.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
UniKL drub BJ Sports School..
UNIKL Young Guns overcame an initial scare to beat Bukit Jaill Sports School 6-1 in Division One of the NSC-Milo-Junior Hockey League at the National Stadium yesterday,
The score stood at 1-1 by the 22nd minute, before a concerted effort saw the double silver medallists power ahead for their second win of the season.
“My players failed to settle early in the match, but once they did, the goals came our way for another crucial win,” said UniKL coach K. Embaraj.
UniKL took the lead off Syafiq Zulzairin in the 12minute, but BJSS equalised off Abdul Khaliq in the 22nd minute.
However, BJSS lost steam after that and the other UniKL goals were scored by Syafiq (35th, 68th), Meor Mohamed (38th), Ashran Hamsani (48th) and Fitri Ismail (67th).
UniKL next play Petaling Jaya City Council on Saturday.
In Division Two, Group B, Datuk Taha consolidated their grip on the top of the standings on 10 points with a 3-0 win over Tengku Besar Secondary School of Tampin.
An own goal by TBSS’ Adhwa Jalil at the half-time break gave Datuk Taha the edge, and Mahathir Rathuwan’s brace in the 37th and 41st gave Taha the full points
RESULTS: Division One -- UniKL Young Guns 6 Bukit Jalil SS 1.
Division Two: Group A -- STAR 1 Kedah HA Juniors 1, Nur Insafi 0 MSS Perlis 6, Matri 1 SERATAS 1.
Group B: KL Sports School 2 Olak 1, Politeknik KPT 3 Tunas Muda Pahang 0, Kuala Langat 2 Padang Midin 1, Tunku Besar 0 Datuk Taha 3.
TODAY -- Division Two: Group A: STAR v Kedah HA (azlan Shah, 5pm), SERATAS v Kedah HA Juniors (Azlan Shah, 7pm).
Group B: KL Sports School v Datuk Taha (National Stadium, 5pm), Bukit Jalil SS Juniors v Padang Midin (Ministry of Education, 5pm), Johor HA v Tunas Muda Pahang (Taman Daya, 5pm), Olak KPT v Kuala Langat (National Stadium II, 5pm).
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI 3 3 0 0 16 0 9
UniKL 2 2 0 0 12 3 6
PJCC 2 2 0 0 4 2 6
Anderson 2 1 1 0 5 3 4
Malacca HS 2 0 1 1 3 12 1
BJSS 3 0 0 3 1 8 0
USM-MSSSPP 1 0 0 1 0 2 0
SSTMI Jnrs 3 0 0 3 4 15 0
DIVISION TWO
GROUP A
P W D L F A Pts
1Mas Penang 3 3 0 0 12 1 9
Kelantan KEL 2 2 0 0 8 3 6
Kedah HA Jnrs 4 1 2 1 5 4 5
Perlis 3 1 1 1 9 7 4
STAR Ipoh 2 1 1 0 3 1 4
Anderson Jnrs 1 1 0 0 2 1 3
Matri 3 0 1 2 2 7 1
SERATAS 3 0 1 2 1 6 1
Nur Insafi 3 0 0 3 1 13 0
GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
Datuk Taha 4 3 1 0 16 1 10
KLSS 3 3 0 0 12 3 9
K Langat 4 3 0 1 6 12 9
Poli KPT 3 2 0 1 9 3 6
OLAK 4 2 0 2 7 5 6
TM Pahang 4 1 1 2 6 9 4
TBSS 3 1 0 2 2 5 3
SMKPM 3 0 0 3 6 11 0
Johor HA 2 0 0 2 3 8 0
BJSS Jnrs 2 0 0 2 1 11 0
The score stood at 1-1 by the 22nd minute, before a concerted effort saw the double silver medallists power ahead for their second win of the season.
“My players failed to settle early in the match, but once they did, the goals came our way for another crucial win,” said UniKL coach K. Embaraj.
UniKL took the lead off Syafiq Zulzairin in the 12minute, but BJSS equalised off Abdul Khaliq in the 22nd minute.
However, BJSS lost steam after that and the other UniKL goals were scored by Syafiq (35th, 68th), Meor Mohamed (38th), Ashran Hamsani (48th) and Fitri Ismail (67th).
UniKL next play Petaling Jaya City Council on Saturday.
In Division Two, Group B, Datuk Taha consolidated their grip on the top of the standings on 10 points with a 3-0 win over Tengku Besar Secondary School of Tampin.
An own goal by TBSS’ Adhwa Jalil at the half-time break gave Datuk Taha the edge, and Mahathir Rathuwan’s brace in the 37th and 41st gave Taha the full points
RESULTS: Division One -- UniKL Young Guns 6 Bukit Jalil SS 1.
Division Two: Group A -- STAR 1 Kedah HA Juniors 1, Nur Insafi 0 MSS Perlis 6, Matri 1 SERATAS 1.
Group B: KL Sports School 2 Olak 1, Politeknik KPT 3 Tunas Muda Pahang 0, Kuala Langat 2 Padang Midin 1, Tunku Besar 0 Datuk Taha 3.
TODAY -- Division Two: Group A: STAR v Kedah HA (azlan Shah, 5pm), SERATAS v Kedah HA Juniors (Azlan Shah, 7pm).
Group B: KL Sports School v Datuk Taha (National Stadium, 5pm), Bukit Jalil SS Juniors v Padang Midin (Ministry of Education, 5pm), Johor HA v Tunas Muda Pahang (Taman Daya, 5pm), Olak KPT v Kuala Langat (National Stadium II, 5pm).
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI 3 3 0 0 16 0 9
UniKL 2 2 0 0 12 3 6
PJCC 2 2 0 0 4 2 6
Anderson 2 1 1 0 5 3 4
Malacca HS 2 0 1 1 3 12 1
BJSS 3 0 0 3 1 8 0
USM-MSSSPP 1 0 0 1 0 2 0
SSTMI Jnrs 3 0 0 3 4 15 0
DIVISION TWO
GROUP A
P W D L F A Pts
1Mas Penang 3 3 0 0 12 1 9
Kelantan KEL 2 2 0 0 8 3 6
Kedah HA Jnrs 4 1 2 1 5 4 5
Perlis 3 1 1 1 9 7 4
STAR Ipoh 2 1 1 0 3 1 4
Anderson Jnrs 1 1 0 0 2 1 3
Matri 3 0 1 2 2 7 1
SERATAS 3 0 1 2 1 6 1
Nur Insafi 3 0 0 3 1 13 0
GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
Datuk Taha 4 3 1 0 16 1 10
KLSS 3 3 0 0 12 3 9
K Langat 4 3 0 1 6 12 9
Poli KPT 3 2 0 1 9 3 6
OLAK 4 2 0 2 7 5 6
TM Pahang 4 1 1 2 6 9 4
TBSS 3 1 0 2 2 5 3
SMKPM 3 0 0 3 6 11 0
Johor HA 2 0 0 2 3 8 0
BJSS Jnrs 2 0 0 2 1 11 0
Monday, January 14, 2013
Thunderbolts in early break..
THE NSC-Milo-MHC Junior Hockey League is only one weekend old, but champions Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) have almost claimed the Division One title.
The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) drawn fix tures made SSTMI, also known as Thunderbolts, play three matches in a row but the champions showed that they are ready to defend their titles.
“We have overcome one tough hurdle in BJSS (Bukit Jalil Sports School) and now we need to beat UniKL (Young Guns) and Petaling Jaya (City Council) to cement the league title,” said Thunderbolts coach Wan Roslan.
However, their sister Sports School, Bukit Jalil, have had a nightmarish start, as they lost both their opening matches by 1-0 margins.
“This is a long-term development side and that is why we are fielding 16 and 17 years old this season. And also, we can’t hold the players once they leave the school and study at the pre-university level because we do not bind them by contracts like other teams.
“But still, we lost narrowly to champions Thunderbolts and also a strong Petaling Jaya (City Council) side,” said BJSS coach S. Prakash.
PJCC are fielding six former BJSS boys, and according to Prakash, they need to buck up in certain areas if they want to pull off upsets against early favourites UniKL and Thun derbolts.
“PJCC were unsettled in certain areas when we played them, and if they can quickly patch the chinks, I believe they will give the other title aspirants a good fight,” said Prakash.
In Division Two, Group A, 1Mas Penang have shown consistency and fitness by winning three matches in-a-row to top the table, while in Group B, SMK Datuk Taha are the early leaders with two wins and a draw.
On another note, MHC held a meeting to amend the fixtures after Sabah withdrew three days before the JHL started, but have yet to provide the new fixtures for next weekend’s matches as of yesterday.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI 3 3 0 0 16 0 9
PJCC 2 2 0 0 4 2 6
Anderson 2 1 1 0 5 3 4
UniKL 1 1 0 0 6 2 3
Malacca HS 2 0 1 1 3 12 1
BJSS 2 0 0 2 0 2 0
USM-MSSSPP 1 0 0 1 0 2 0
SSTMI Jnrs 3 0 0 3 4 15 0
DIVISION TWO
GROUP A
P W D L F A Pts
1Mas Penang 3 3 0 0 12 1 9
Kelantan KEL 2 2 0 0 8 3 6
Kedah HA Jnrs 3 1 1 1 4 3 4
STAR Ipoh 1 1 0 0 2 0 3
Anderson Jnrs 1 1 0 0 2 1 3
Perlis 2 0 1 1 3 7 1
Matri 2 0 0 2 1 6 0
SERATAS 2 0 0 2 0 5 0
Nur Insafi 2 0 0 2 1 7 0
GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
Datuk Taha 3 2 1 0 13 1 7
KLSS 2 2 0 0 10 2 6
OLAK 3 2 0 1 6 3 6
K Langat 3 2 0 1 4 11 6
TM Pahang 3 1 1 1 6 6 4
Poli KPT 2 1 0 1 6 3 3
TBSS 2 1 0 1 2 2 3
SMKPM 2 0 0 2 5 9 0
Johor HA 2 0 0 2 3 8 0
BJSS Jnrs 2 0 0 2 1 11 0
The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) drawn fix tures made SSTMI, also known as Thunderbolts, play three matches in a row but the champions showed that they are ready to defend their titles.
“We have overcome one tough hurdle in BJSS (Bukit Jalil Sports School) and now we need to beat UniKL (Young Guns) and Petaling Jaya (City Council) to cement the league title,” said Thunderbolts coach Wan Roslan.
However, their sister Sports School, Bukit Jalil, have had a nightmarish start, as they lost both their opening matches by 1-0 margins.
“This is a long-term development side and that is why we are fielding 16 and 17 years old this season. And also, we can’t hold the players once they leave the school and study at the pre-university level because we do not bind them by contracts like other teams.
“But still, we lost narrowly to champions Thunderbolts and also a strong Petaling Jaya (City Council) side,” said BJSS coach S. Prakash.
PJCC are fielding six former BJSS boys, and according to Prakash, they need to buck up in certain areas if they want to pull off upsets against early favourites UniKL and Thun derbolts.
“PJCC were unsettled in certain areas when we played them, and if they can quickly patch the chinks, I believe they will give the other title aspirants a good fight,” said Prakash.
In Division Two, Group A, 1Mas Penang have shown consistency and fitness by winning three matches in-a-row to top the table, while in Group B, SMK Datuk Taha are the early leaders with two wins and a draw.
On another note, MHC held a meeting to amend the fixtures after Sabah withdrew three days before the JHL started, but have yet to provide the new fixtures for next weekend’s matches as of yesterday.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI 3 3 0 0 16 0 9
PJCC 2 2 0 0 4 2 6
Anderson 2 1 1 0 5 3 4
UniKL 1 1 0 0 6 2 3
Malacca HS 2 0 1 1 3 12 1
BJSS 2 0 0 2 0 2 0
USM-MSSSPP 1 0 0 1 0 2 0
SSTMI Jnrs 3 0 0 3 4 15 0
DIVISION TWO
GROUP A
P W D L F A Pts
1Mas Penang 3 3 0 0 12 1 9
Kelantan KEL 2 2 0 0 8 3 6
Kedah HA Jnrs 3 1 1 1 4 3 4
STAR Ipoh 1 1 0 0 2 0 3
Anderson Jnrs 1 1 0 0 2 1 3
Perlis 2 0 1 1 3 7 1
Matri 2 0 0 2 1 6 0
SERATAS 2 0 0 2 0 5 0
Nur Insafi 2 0 0 2 1 7 0
GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
Datuk Taha 3 2 1 0 13 1 7
KLSS 2 2 0 0 10 2 6
OLAK 3 2 0 1 6 3 6
K Langat 3 2 0 1 4 11 6
TM Pahang 3 1 1 1 6 6 4
Poli KPT 2 1 0 1 6 3 3
TBSS 2 1 0 1 2 2 3
SMKPM 2 0 0 2 5 9 0
Johor HA 2 0 0 2 3 8 0
BJSS Jnrs 2 0 0 2 1 11 0
Sunday, January 13, 2013
UniKL start well..
UNIKL Young Guns got off their NSC-Milo_MHC Junior Hockey League Division One campaign to a super start when they beat Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS Juniors 6-2 at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru yesterday.
However, it is not the Juniors, but the SSTMI Thunderbolts side that they need to beat to claim the title. Thunderbolts have nine points after three matches over the weekend.
“It is a good score considering its our first match of the season, but it was also a jittery start, which caused us to miss out on some easy goals,” said UniKL coach K. Embaraj.
Embaraj, however, is not worried about Thunderbolts super sprint weekend by winning three matches in a row.
“For me, every match counts and I am not just planning for the Thunderbolts encounter. We need to keep on winning to be in the title chase, and worry about Thunderbolts when the time comes,” said Embaraj.
For the record, UniKL played bridesmaid to Thunderbolts in both the League and Overall title last season.
UniKL played without two of their better players Norsyafiq Sumantri and Hafif Elkan who have been selected to represent Malaysian in the Australian Youth Olympic Festival which starts on Jan 16.
The UniKL goals were scored by Meor Azuan (10th), Fitri Ismail (19th), Azrul Rahman (31st), Dzahiruddin Ilyas (33rd), Syafiz Zulzairin (48th), Wan Mohamed Hazrul (53rd).
The STMI Juniors first goal was scored by Raja Izzat raja Husin in the 36th minute while their second was an own goal by a UniKL player.
RESULTS: Division One -- Bukit Jalil SS x Petaling Jaya CC x, Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS Juniors 2 UniKL Young Guns 6, Malacca High School 3 MBI Anderson 3.
Division Two: Group A -- 1Mas Penang 4 Matri Perlis 1, MSS Perlis 1 Kedah HA Juniors 1.
Group B: Tunas Muda Pahang 0 Olak 1, Politeknik KPT 1 Kuala Lumpur Sports School 2, Datuk Taha 3 Bukit Jalil SS Juniors 0, Kuala Langat 3 Johor HA 2.
However, it is not the Juniors, but the SSTMI Thunderbolts side that they need to beat to claim the title. Thunderbolts have nine points after three matches over the weekend.
“It is a good score considering its our first match of the season, but it was also a jittery start, which caused us to miss out on some easy goals,” said UniKL coach K. Embaraj.
Embaraj, however, is not worried about Thunderbolts super sprint weekend by winning three matches in a row.
“For me, every match counts and I am not just planning for the Thunderbolts encounter. We need to keep on winning to be in the title chase, and worry about Thunderbolts when the time comes,” said Embaraj.
For the record, UniKL played bridesmaid to Thunderbolts in both the League and Overall title last season.
UniKL played without two of their better players Norsyafiq Sumantri and Hafif Elkan who have been selected to represent Malaysian in the Australian Youth Olympic Festival which starts on Jan 16.
The UniKL goals were scored by Meor Azuan (10th), Fitri Ismail (19th), Azrul Rahman (31st), Dzahiruddin Ilyas (33rd), Syafiz Zulzairin (48th), Wan Mohamed Hazrul (53rd).
The STMI Juniors first goal was scored by Raja Izzat raja Husin in the 36th minute while their second was an own goal by a UniKL player.
RESULTS: Division One -- Bukit Jalil SS x Petaling Jaya CC x, Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS Juniors 2 UniKL Young Guns 6, Malacca High School 3 MBI Anderson 3.
Division Two: Group A -- 1Mas Penang 4 Matri Perlis 1, MSS Perlis 1 Kedah HA Juniors 1.
Group B: Tunas Muda Pahang 0 Olak 1, Politeknik KPT 1 Kuala Lumpur Sports School 2, Datuk Taha 3 Bukit Jalil SS Juniors 0, Kuala Langat 3 Johor HA 2.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
SSTMI hit nine past MHS for nine points..
JUNIOR Hockey League Double champions Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) were better organised yesterday when they went for early goals and thrashed Malacca High School 9-0 at the Bukit Jalil Stadium.
The champions have nine points from three wins in the first JHL weekend itself, and if they beat UniKL Young Guns, the Division One title is as good as theirs.
Coach Wan Roslan, dissatisfied with his skipper Shahril Saabah's performance against Bukit Jalil Sports School on Friday where they only won 1-0, ripped off his armband and gave it to Amir Zulkarnain.
And Amir repaid the coach with a second minute penalty corner goal which placed tremendous pressure on Malacca, and they cracked three more times in the first half.
The second goal was scored by Azmi Deraman in the 17th minute off a field attempt, while Shahril scored the third off a penalty corner attempt in the 13th minute.
The fourth was scored by Sufi Ismat in the 31st minute, also off a penalty corner flick, and Malacca were truly beaten.
MHS could have been in deeper trouble if not for some saves pulled off by their goalkeeper Nor Haziq Musik
And in the second half, SSTMI again tore apart the Malacca defense with goals from Zizi Azwan (40th), Ahmad Alif (55th), Shahril (59th), Hafiz Selemen (61) and Shahril (66th).
"I removed the armband from Shahril because I found out that he can't play under pressure as a skipper. His game is much better if he
is allowed to roam freely and he proved me right by scoring his first two goals of the season," said Wan Roslan.
Shahril, who was the top-scorer in the JHL last season with 20 goals, was also relieved that he finally broke the duck after three matches.
"I am relieved that I scored my first two goals of the season, but this year, I am not worried about goals but about making the grade in Project 2013 and representing the country in the Junior World Cup.
"That is my aim, and thats why I want to improve other departments of my game in the JHL this season instead of putting my self under pressure looking for the top-scorers award," said Shahril.
RESULTS: Division One -- Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS 9 Malacca High School 0, MBI Anderson 2 MSSP-USM 0.
Division Two: Group A: MSS Perlis 2 Kelantan HA 6, Kedah HA Juniors 2 Matri Perlis 0, Anderson Juniors 2 Nur Insafi 1, 1Mas Penang 3 SERATAS 0.
Group B: Padang Midin 1 Olak 4, Politeknik KPT 5 Johor HA 1, Tunas Muda Pahang 1 Datuk Taha 1, Kuala Langat 1 Tunku Besar Secondary School 0.
TODAY: Division One -- Bukit Jalil SS v Petaling Jaya CC (Bukit Jalil, 7pm), Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS Juniors v UniKL (Taman Daya, 5pm), Malacca High School v MBI Anderson (Malacca, 5pm).
Division Two: Group A -- 1Mas Penang v Matri Perlis (USM, 5pm), MSS Perlis v Kedah HA Juniors (Alor Star, 5pm).
Group B: Tunas Muda Pahang v Olak (Kuantan, 5pm), Politeknik KPT v Kuala Lumpur Sports School (Taman Daya Pitch II, 5pm), Datuk Taha v Bukit Jalil SS Juniors (Seremban II, 5pm), Kuala Langat v Johor HA (Ministry of Education, 5pm).
The champions have nine points from three wins in the first JHL weekend itself, and if they beat UniKL Young Guns, the Division One title is as good as theirs.
Coach Wan Roslan, dissatisfied with his skipper Shahril Saabah's performance against Bukit Jalil Sports School on Friday where they only won 1-0, ripped off his armband and gave it to Amir Zulkarnain.
And Amir repaid the coach with a second minute penalty corner goal which placed tremendous pressure on Malacca, and they cracked three more times in the first half.
The second goal was scored by Azmi Deraman in the 17th minute off a field attempt, while Shahril scored the third off a penalty corner attempt in the 13th minute.
The fourth was scored by Sufi Ismat in the 31st minute, also off a penalty corner flick, and Malacca were truly beaten.
MHS could have been in deeper trouble if not for some saves pulled off by their goalkeeper Nor Haziq Musik
And in the second half, SSTMI again tore apart the Malacca defense with goals from Zizi Azwan (40th), Ahmad Alif (55th), Shahril (59th), Hafiz Selemen (61) and Shahril (66th).
"I removed the armband from Shahril because I found out that he can't play under pressure as a skipper. His game is much better if he
is allowed to roam freely and he proved me right by scoring his first two goals of the season," said Wan Roslan.
Shahril, who was the top-scorer in the JHL last season with 20 goals, was also relieved that he finally broke the duck after three matches.
"I am relieved that I scored my first two goals of the season, but this year, I am not worried about goals but about making the grade in Project 2013 and representing the country in the Junior World Cup.
"That is my aim, and thats why I want to improve other departments of my game in the JHL this season instead of putting my self under pressure looking for the top-scorers award," said Shahril.
RESULTS: Division One -- Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS 9 Malacca High School 0, MBI Anderson 2 MSSP-USM 0.
Division Two: Group A: MSS Perlis 2 Kelantan HA 6, Kedah HA Juniors 2 Matri Perlis 0, Anderson Juniors 2 Nur Insafi 1, 1Mas Penang 3 SERATAS 0.
Group B: Padang Midin 1 Olak 4, Politeknik KPT 5 Johor HA 1, Tunas Muda Pahang 1 Datuk Taha 1, Kuala Langat 1 Tunku Besar Secondary School 0.
TODAY: Division One -- Bukit Jalil SS v Petaling Jaya CC (Bukit Jalil, 7pm), Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS Juniors v UniKL (Taman Daya, 5pm), Malacca High School v MBI Anderson (Malacca, 5pm).
Division Two: Group A -- 1Mas Penang v Matri Perlis (USM, 5pm), MSS Perlis v Kedah HA Juniors (Alor Star, 5pm).
Group B: Tunas Muda Pahang v Olak (Kuantan, 5pm), Politeknik KPT v Kuala Lumpur Sports School (Taman Daya Pitch II, 5pm), Datuk Taha v Bukit Jalil SS Juniors (Seremban II, 5pm), Kuala Langat v Johor HA (Ministry of Education, 5pm).
Friday, January 11, 2013
Jaded sports schools...
TENGKU Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) edged Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) 1-0 in Division One of the NSC-Milo-MHC Junior Hockey League yesterday.
The double champions won by the skin-of-their-teeth, and if this is their standard, they would find it hard to defend both their titles.
The two premier sports schools clash was a big disappointment, as both sides did not look like they have been training the whole year round under a proper system.
The match was peppered with school-boy mistakes which one would not expect from sports school players, and both sides were blunt in the semi-circle thus missing many sitters which made the spartan crowd edgy on their seats.
Shahril Saabah, the SSTMI skipper, was also a pale shadow of himself and did not look like the top-scorer of the JHL last season who took his team to the double.
The only moment of brilliance, if one could call that, was when the ball tricked towards Ahmad Alif in the 16th minute, and he had all the time in the world to turn around and beat BJSS goalkeeper Aliff Aiman for the half-time lead.
The half-time was another yawn, and after the final whistle, SSTMI and BJSS coaches both agreed that their players were not up to the mark.
"I am a little surprised that my players could not play their normal game and their standard was about 50 percent lower than in training. Maybe they tried too hard and made a mess of matters," said SSTMI coach Wan Roslan.
BJSS coach S. Prakash was also surprised that they only lost 0-1: "I was expecting a drubbing around the margin of 6-0 because we have a young side while SSTMI have established players who train in the 2013 as well as the 2017 Project squad," said Prakash.
RESULTS: Division One -- Bukit Jalil SS 0 Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS 1, Petaling Jaya CC 3 Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS Juniors 2.
RESULTS: Division One -- Bukit Jalil SS 0 Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS 1, Petaling Jaya CC 3 Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS Juniors 2.
Division Two: Group A -- Kedah HA Juniors 1 Kelantan HA 2, Tuanku Abdul Rahman School 2 Raja Tun Azlan Shah Science 0, 1Mas Penang 5 Nur Insafi 0.
Group B: Padang Midin 4 Tunas Muda Pahang 5, KL Sports School 8 Bukit Jalil SS Juniors 1, Datuk Taha 9 Kuala Langat 0, Olak 1 Tunku Besar Secondary School 2.
TODAY: Division One -- Bukit Jalil SS v Petaling Jaya CC (Bukit Jalil, 7pm), Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS Juniors v UniKL (Taman Daya, 5pm), Malacca High School v MBI Anderson (Malacca, 5pm).
Division Two: Group A -- 1Mas Penang v Matri Perlis (USM, 5pm), MSS Perlis v Kedah HA Juniors (Alor Star, 5pm), Tunas Muda Pahang v Olak (Kuantan, 5pm), Politeknik KPT v Kuala Lumpur Sports School (Taman Daya Pitch II, 5pm), Datuk Taha v Bukit Jalil SS Juniors (Seremban II, 5pm), Kuala Langat v Johor HA (Ministry of Education, 5pm).
The double champions won by the skin-of-their-teeth, and if this is their standard, they would find it hard to defend both their titles.
The two premier sports schools clash was a big disappointment, as both sides did not look like they have been training the whole year round under a proper system.
The match was peppered with school-boy mistakes which one would not expect from sports school players, and both sides were blunt in the semi-circle thus missing many sitters which made the spartan crowd edgy on their seats.
Shahril Saabah, the SSTMI skipper, was also a pale shadow of himself and did not look like the top-scorer of the JHL last season who took his team to the double.
The only moment of brilliance, if one could call that, was when the ball tricked towards Ahmad Alif in the 16th minute, and he had all the time in the world to turn around and beat BJSS goalkeeper Aliff Aiman for the half-time lead.
The half-time was another yawn, and after the final whistle, SSTMI and BJSS coaches both agreed that their players were not up to the mark.
"I am a little surprised that my players could not play their normal game and their standard was about 50 percent lower than in training. Maybe they tried too hard and made a mess of matters," said SSTMI coach Wan Roslan.
BJSS coach S. Prakash was also surprised that they only lost 0-1: "I was expecting a drubbing around the margin of 6-0 because we have a young side while SSTMI have established players who train in the 2013 as well as the 2017 Project squad," said Prakash.
RESULTS: Division One -- Bukit Jalil SS 0 Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS 1, Petaling Jaya CC 3 Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS Juniors 2.
RESULTS: Division One -- Bukit Jalil SS 0 Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS 1, Petaling Jaya CC 3 Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS Juniors 2.
Division Two: Group A -- Kedah HA Juniors 1 Kelantan HA 2, Tuanku Abdul Rahman School 2 Raja Tun Azlan Shah Science 0, 1Mas Penang 5 Nur Insafi 0.
Group B: Padang Midin 4 Tunas Muda Pahang 5, KL Sports School 8 Bukit Jalil SS Juniors 1, Datuk Taha 9 Kuala Langat 0, Olak 1 Tunku Besar Secondary School 2.
TODAY: Division One -- Bukit Jalil SS v Petaling Jaya CC (Bukit Jalil, 7pm), Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS Juniors v UniKL (Taman Daya, 5pm), Malacca High School v MBI Anderson (Malacca, 5pm).
Division Two: Group A -- 1Mas Penang v Matri Perlis (USM, 5pm), MSS Perlis v Kedah HA Juniors (Alor Star, 5pm), Tunas Muda Pahang v Olak (Kuantan, 5pm), Politeknik KPT v Kuala Lumpur Sports School (Taman Daya Pitch II, 5pm), Datuk Taha v Bukit Jalil SS Juniors (Seremban II, 5pm), Kuala Langat v Johor HA (Ministry of Education, 5pm).
Thursday, January 10, 2013
SSTMI 6 SSTMI Juniors 0
TENGKU Mahkota Ismail Sports School swept aside their sister team SSTMI Juniors 6-0 in the curtain raiser of the NSC-Milo-MHC Junior Hockey League at the Bukit Jalil Stadium yesterday.
It was an expected win from the double champions, and also score-line, but SSTMI will face their real test of the season when they play Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) today at the Ministry of Education pitch in Pantai.
Yesterday, Amirol Aideed notched a hat-trick (seventh, 27th, 54th, 66th) while the other goal was scorded by Amir Zulkarnain (38th, 68th).
"We have not beaten SSTMI for the last four years since they joined Tenaga Nasional and changed their name from Bandar Penawar Sports School to Thunderbolts in 2010 and now SSTMI.
"It will be a mountain to climb as they are the JHL favourites but my players are ready to give their best and go for an upset," said BJSS coach S. Prakash.
BJSS only have one first-11 player from last season, while the rest are from their junior ranks and last years reseves.
"I have a young side with only one first-11 player from last year, so it would be difficult but since it is crucal match which will chart our season, we can't afford to give awat the three points," said Prakash.
SSTMI coach Wan Roslan said his charges only played 80 per cent of their capabilities yesterday.
"This was more of a warm-up and also we did not want to show our true capabilities ahead of our meeting against BJSS tomorrow (today). Six goals are more than enough against our Juniors, as we look for another win against BJSS to place our title defense on track early," said Wan Roslan.
RESULT: Division One -- Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS 6 Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS Juniors 0.
TODAY (FRIDAY): Bukit Jalil SS v Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS (Ministry of Education pitch, 5pm), Petaling Jaya CC v Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS Juniors (Bukit Jalil, 5pm).
Division Two: Group A -- Kedah HA Juniors v Kedah HA (Alor Star, 5pm), Tuanku Abdul Rahman School v Raja Tun Azlan Shah Science (Azlan Shah Stadium, 5pm), 1Mas Penang v Nur Insafi (USM Stadium, 5pm).
Group B: Padang Midin v Tunas Muda Pahang (Terengganu, 5pm), KL Sports School v Bukit Jalil SS Juniors (Bukit Jalil, 7pm), Datuk Taha v Kuala Langat (Seremban II, 5pm), Olak v Tunku Besar Secondary School (Bukit Jalil, 5pm).
It was an expected win from the double champions, and also score-line, but SSTMI will face their real test of the season when they play Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) today at the Ministry of Education pitch in Pantai.
Yesterday, Amirol Aideed notched a hat-trick (seventh, 27th, 54th, 66th) while the other goal was scorded by Amir Zulkarnain (38th, 68th).
"We have not beaten SSTMI for the last four years since they joined Tenaga Nasional and changed their name from Bandar Penawar Sports School to Thunderbolts in 2010 and now SSTMI.
"It will be a mountain to climb as they are the JHL favourites but my players are ready to give their best and go for an upset," said BJSS coach S. Prakash.
BJSS only have one first-11 player from last season, while the rest are from their junior ranks and last years reseves.
"I have a young side with only one first-11 player from last year, so it would be difficult but since it is crucal match which will chart our season, we can't afford to give awat the three points," said Prakash.
SSTMI coach Wan Roslan said his charges only played 80 per cent of their capabilities yesterday.
"This was more of a warm-up and also we did not want to show our true capabilities ahead of our meeting against BJSS tomorrow (today). Six goals are more than enough against our Juniors, as we look for another win against BJSS to place our title defense on track early," said Wan Roslan.
RESULT: Division One -- Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS 6 Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS Juniors 0.
TODAY (FRIDAY): Bukit Jalil SS v Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS (Ministry of Education pitch, 5pm), Petaling Jaya CC v Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS Juniors (Bukit Jalil, 5pm).
Division Two: Group A -- Kedah HA Juniors v Kedah HA (Alor Star, 5pm), Tuanku Abdul Rahman School v Raja Tun Azlan Shah Science (Azlan Shah Stadium, 5pm), 1Mas Penang v Nur Insafi (USM Stadium, 5pm).
Group B: Padang Midin v Tunas Muda Pahang (Terengganu, 5pm), KL Sports School v Bukit Jalil SS Juniors (Bukit Jalil, 7pm), Datuk Taha v Kuala Langat (Seremban II, 5pm), Olak v Tunku Besar Secondary School (Bukit Jalil, 5pm).
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Satgunam, Mazlan and Dina legacy...
The JHL made its debut in 1995, after a joint-effort by the National Sports Council (Datuk Mazlan Ahmad), Nestle (Datuk Dina Rizal) and the now defunct Malaysian Hockey Federation (the late S. Satgunam) came up with the initiative to have a league for the juniors.
THE MHC-Milo-NSC Junior Hockey League (JHL) starts today with double champions Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School playing what could be termed as a warm-up against their sister side SSTMI Juniors.
It was not by chance that the two are meeting first, as the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) had bowed to team managers pressure to avoid what could be a goal-scored fix if the two teams played at the tail end of the JHL.
It is also no secret that in Divison One, the battle for titles would be among three teams namely SSTMI, double runners-up UniKL Young Guns and Bukit Jalil Sports School.
The other five; MSSSPP-USM, MBI-Anderson, Petaling Jaya CC, SSTMI Ju niors and newly promoted Malacca High School; would play the spoilers role when given the opportunity.
In Division Two, there are two groups with Group A having nine teams and they are Anderson Juniors, MSSS Kelantan, 1Mas Penang, Matri, SM Sains Tun Azlan Shah, Kedah HA Juniors, MSSS Perlis, Nur Insafi and Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman Ipoh.
Group B will have Tunku Besar Secondary School, SMK Datuk Taha Gemencheh, Olak-PKT, SMK Padang Midin, MSSS Johor, Politeknik KPT, Kuala Langat, BJSS Juniors, KL Sports School and Tunas Muda Pahang.
SSTMI won the double by a whisker on both occasions as they edged UniKL by one goal difference after being tied on 22 points for the League title.
And in the Overall title final, SSTMI could only edge UniKL 2-1.
"After failing to land any title last season, UniKL Young Guns will continue to pursue its dream to win the Double this season. However, to achieve our target, we must beat SSTMI as they are again the clear favorites with their golden boy and top scorer of JHL 2012, Shahril Saabah still eligible to play alongside their very experienced supporting cast," said UniKL team manager Faiz Isa, who has been promoted from his assistant role last season.
Former team manager Amir Azhar is now the interim president of UniKL Hockey Club.
And to achieve their goal: "We need to overcome the penalty corner woes of last season and also continue our strength in getting goals from open play."
UniKL, into their fourth season, believe in developing players and that is why they have selected a young side with 16 out of the 22 still available for the next season.
"This is the youngest Young Guns ever assembled with an average age of 17.8. Only six re 19 years old (the cap for JHL), while 16 are eligible for next season. The youngest are 15-years-old Kavinash Panicker and 16-years-old Shahriful Aqmal.
The JHL made its debut in 1995, after a joint-effort by the National Sports Council (Datuk Mazlan Ahmad), Nestle (Datuk Dina Rizal) and the now defunct Malaysian Hockey Federation (the late S. Satgunam) came up with the initiative to have a league for the juniors.
And its growth has been phenomenal with many national players being scouted from the JHL who went on to play for the country and became household names.
Just to mention a few...Chua Boon Huat, Nor Azlan Bakar, Logan Raj, Keevan Raj, Jiwa Mohan, Jivan Mohan, Rodhanizam Radzi, Razak Saidin, Amin Rahim, Roslan Jamaluddin and Madzli Ikmar.
And this year, a record 27 teams will see 594 players trying to impress the age-group scouts.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Come and see me, Dangerous...
MALAYSIAN Hockey Confederation (MHC) president feels players should not quit when the going tough, especially if they want to represent the country in World Cups and Olympics.
He was commenting on Junior World Cup trainee Dangerous Lee from Sarawak who threw in the towel via an SMS to coach K. Dharmaraj because he felt he no longer could compete with his team-mates for a spot in the New Delhi tournament in December.
"I will leave it to the coach to decide on the next course of action on the player who called it quits 12 months from the World Cup. And my message for the others who aspire to don national coulours is not to give up so easily," said MHC President Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.
Tengku Mahkota suggested counseling Dangerous Lee, but the Sarawakian had quit the national juniors for the third time in three years and it looks like coach Dharmaraj has had enough of him.
"First of all if Dangerous Lee wants to fight for his spot back in the training squad again he must come and see me personally because sending quit SMS is an insult to everybody who has been preparing the Junior World Cup side for the last two years.
"He must apologise to his team mates for running away when push came to shove and maybe then, I will send him for counseling and mental training (with National Sports Institute) and see what happens.
"But first of all, he must come and meet me and explain why he quit and not hide behind SMSs," said Dharmaraj.
Dangerous played in the Sultan of Johor Cup and then the Obaidullah Gold Cup in Bhopal at the end of last year, and that was when he chickened out after seeing how his skills are nothing compared to India club players.
Dangerous then sent an SMS to the coach which read: “Coach I will not be attending training tomorrow morning and I hope coach accepts my decision to pull out of the (World Cup) training squad.
“I feel that I can’t make progress anymore as I can’t compete with others. Sorry coach..tq.”
There are 27 players in training for the Junior World Cup in December in New Delhi. Malaysia qualified by becoming the Junior Asia Cup champions in Malacca.
On another matter, Tengku Abdullah said no action will be taken against Sabah for pulling out of the Junior Hockey League just three days before the tournament starts.
"Sabah had a legitimate reason to withdraw from the JHL as their Education Ministry did not want to release players, or find new schools for their players for a period of two months.
"No action would be taken on Sabah HA as they had a team, but could not play for a valid reason," said Tengku Abdullah.
He was commenting on Junior World Cup trainee Dangerous Lee from Sarawak who threw in the towel via an SMS to coach K. Dharmaraj because he felt he no longer could compete with his team-mates for a spot in the New Delhi tournament in December.
"I will leave it to the coach to decide on the next course of action on the player who called it quits 12 months from the World Cup. And my message for the others who aspire to don national coulours is not to give up so easily," said MHC President Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.
Tengku Mahkota suggested counseling Dangerous Lee, but the Sarawakian had quit the national juniors for the third time in three years and it looks like coach Dharmaraj has had enough of him.
"First of all if Dangerous Lee wants to fight for his spot back in the training squad again he must come and see me personally because sending quit SMS is an insult to everybody who has been preparing the Junior World Cup side for the last two years.
"He must apologise to his team mates for running away when push came to shove and maybe then, I will send him for counseling and mental training (with National Sports Institute) and see what happens.
"But first of all, he must come and meet me and explain why he quit and not hide behind SMSs," said Dharmaraj.
Dangerous played in the Sultan of Johor Cup and then the Obaidullah Gold Cup in Bhopal at the end of last year, and that was when he chickened out after seeing how his skills are nothing compared to India club players.
Dangerous then sent an SMS to the coach which read: “Coach I will not be attending training tomorrow morning and I hope coach accepts my decision to pull out of the (World Cup) training squad.
“I feel that I can’t make progress anymore as I can’t compete with others. Sorry coach..tq.”
There are 27 players in training for the Junior World Cup in December in New Delhi. Malaysia qualified by becoming the Junior Asia Cup champions in Malacca.
On another matter, Tengku Abdullah said no action will be taken against Sabah for pulling out of the Junior Hockey League just three days before the tournament starts.
"Sabah had a legitimate reason to withdraw from the JHL as their Education Ministry did not want to release players, or find new schools for their players for a period of two months.
"No action would be taken on Sabah HA as they had a team, but could not play for a valid reason," said Tengku Abdullah.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Sabah blame it on Education Ministry...
SABAH withdrew from the MHC-Milo-NSC Junior Hockey League (JHL) just three days before the tournament starts, blaming it on their Education Department.
The JHL saw a record 28 teams registering, and Sabah’s no show has thrown the Division Two Group A tournament fixtures into turmoil.
They were supposed to start their JHL campaign against PHA-Anderson Juniors at the National hockey Stadium this Friday.
“We are unable to field a team as the Sabah Education Department has rejected our request to field school boys in the JHL,” said Sabah HA Secretary Aftar Singh.
“It is not easy for teams from East Malaysia to play in the JHL as there are also logistics issues, like arranging for the players to attend classes while away.
“We regret the decision to withdraw and understand that the MHC (Malaysian Hockey Confederation) can take action against us, but we ask for understanding as this is beyond our control.
“There are limited players in Sabah and try as we did, we just could not find replacements as we received the no tification from the Education Department today (yester day).”
Sabah became the Division Two champions in their maiden JHL appearance in 2010. Then, they were based in Pan damaran, Klang.
However, they did not field a side for the last two years. Division Two will now have nine teams in Group A and 10 teams in Group B.
There are eight teams in Division One.
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