JUNIOR Hockey League Division One defending champions Thunderbolts will face an early test against Anderson of Ipoh at the Azlan Shah Stadium Saturday.
For Anderson were the only team that beat the champions, 1-0, last season and that defeat is still fresh on the mind of Thunderbolts coach Wan Roslan Wan Rahman.
In the first week of the JHL, Thunderbolts hammered Thunderbolts Juniors 6-0, while Anderson were held to a 1-1 draw by Malacca High School before going down 1-2 to Petaling Jaya Municipal Council,
“Anderson always lift their game against us and I expect it to be the same this time around as well,” said Wan Roslan.
“It will not be an easy match as I believe Anderson have settled down after playing two matches.
“We have to play a tight marking game as this JHL is a short league and draw is akin to a defeat and we cant afford to drop even a single point to defend our title,” said Wan Roslan.
In another Division One match at the Pantai Hockey Stadium, Malacca High School are expected to collect full points against KLSS Juniors.
While in Division Two, Nur Insafi are expected to consolidate their position in Group A when they play MSSPP at the USM Stadium.
SATURDAY -- Division One: Anderson v SSTMI Thunderbolts (Azlan Shah Stadium, 5pm), KLSS Jnrs v Malacca High School (KLHA, 7pm).
Division Two A: MSSp-USM v Nur Insafi (5pm, USM), Bakat MSSK/PHK v Matri (5pm, Pasir Mas), SMK Syed Hassan v 1Mas Penang (5pm, Perlis).
Division Two B: KLHC Jnrs v Felda Temerloh (5pm, KLHA), Padang Midin v Permatang Jnrs (5pm, Kuala Terengganu), MSSD Larut Matang v MSP Pahang Jnrs (5pm, Kuala Kangsar).
Division Two C: SM Sains Johor v SMKTB (5pm, Batu Pahat), BJSS v SMK Datuk Bentara Luar (5pm, KPM Pantai).
SUNDAY -- Division One: Petaling Jaya CC v Malacca High School (7pm, KLHA), Anderson MBI v SSTMI Jnrs (5pm, Azlan Shah Stadium).
Division Two A: PHKS v MSSP-USM (5pm, Alor Star), Bakat MSSk v Star (5pm, Pasir Mas).
Division Two B: OLAK-PKT v Felda Temerloh (5pm, KLHA), 1Mas Perak v MSP pahang Jnrs (5pm, Azlan Shah Stadium).
Division Two C: Politeknik KPM v SMKTB (5pm, Taman Daya), Datuk Taha v BJSS (5pm, Seremban II), BJSS Jnrs v SMK Datuk Bentara Luar (5pm, KPM Pantai).