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).