Friday, February 28, 2014

Thunderbolts whitewash Pahang 8-0

DIVISION One champions SSTMI Thunderbolts whitewashed MSP Pahang 8-0 in the first leg Milo Cup quarter-finals to virtually book their spot in the semi-finals.
    And Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak-PKT) also opened the door to their semi-finals dream when they beat Malacca High School 4-1.
   Petaling Jaya Municipal  Council also had an easy outing as they beat Bukit Jalil Sports School 4-1, however,  UniKL Young Guns faced a torrid time before edging Politeknik-KPM 3-2.
   The UniKL-Politeknik second leg is the only one which will go to the wire, while the other three teams have virtually assured their semis spot, with their Sunday return legs being purely academic.
    It was an outstanding performance from Olak-PKT as they ran rings round the static MHS defense, and they thoroughly deserve the big-margin victory.
   “It is a healthy first leg lead but we cannot take things for granted. I am happy that the players lifted their game and played as they did,” said Olak-PKT manager Joseph de Silva.
    “We have to play intelligently in the return leg as a quick goal by MHS will change the entire equation of the match. Thus we need to plan things carefully.”
     MHS that took the lead in the 20th minute through Faid Farhadh Shah but Olak were back on level terms two minutes later when Mawardi Hamirin got his shot right.
    Olak then took the lead in the 28th minute as Najmi Ghazali scored off a goalmouth melee, and added another two goals through Mawardi (43rd) and Asyaraf Adha (54th) for a healthy 4-1 aggregate lead.
     Thunderbolts got the big win they were looking for through the efforts of Aminuddin Zain (7th, 39th and 42nd), Amirol Aideed  (50th, 67th and 70th), Najmi Farizal Jazlan (35th) and Firdaus Omar (48th).
   “The mission we set out to achieve is completed and I will rest some players for the second leg as next week we have to play three matches in five days,” said Thunderbolts coach Wan Roslan Wan Rahman.
    RESULTS -- MILO Cup Quarter-finals first leg: SSTMI  Thunderbolts 8 MSP Pahang 0; Malacca High  School 1 Olak-PKT 4; Petaling Jaya Municipal  Council 4 Bukit Jalil Sports School 1; UniKL Young Guns 3 Politeknik-KPM 2.
   SUNDAY: Quarter-finals return leg: Bukit Jalil Sports School  v Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (4pm, Pitch II); Politeknik- KPM v UniKL Young Guns (4pm, Pitch I); MSP Pahang v SSTMI  Thunderbolts (6pm, Pitch II); Olak-PKT v Malacca High  School (6pm, Pitch I).
   (Note: All matches at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit  Jalil).

Olak's Joe complaints about unethical move..

ENTRIES for the men's Malaysia Hockey League Division One closed with 10 teams competing, but there was a damning complaint about players being pinched by National Juniors coach Arul Selvaraj for his club UniKL.
   Old La Sallians Association of Klang (OLAK-PKT) team manager Joseph de Silva was fuming mad after a telephone conversation with Arul on Thursday, asking him to release three of his best players for UniKL.
   "This is a conflict of interest as Arul is the national juniors coach as well as head coach for UniKL. How can he wear two hats and also scout for the best players in the Junior Hockey League for his club side," questioned de Silva.
   De Silva, a veteran Junior Hockey League team manager sice 1995, said he turned down Arul's offer as it was not proper.
   "I strongly objected to Arul, and told him it's unethical for him as a national juniors coach to scout for players for his club side. I told him my players will not play for UniKL as I will have problems later getting them back for Olak next season.
   "I told him I would rather release my boys to play for UiTM, and told him to look elswhere," said De Silva.
    Arul, when he was assisted to Paul Revington at the senior level, was also coaching UniKL.
   However, Arul had a different version of the story: "De Silva called me asking if I'm going to select any of his Olak players for the national juniors training and I told him I have a few in mind. And then de Silva asked me if I have any clubs to recommend his players for the MHL Division One and I told him his players can try for UniKL.
   "And then de Silva told me that he does not want his players to play for UniKL, but will release them to UiTM instead," said Arul.
   Arul also said that even though he wears two hats, there is never a conflict of interest when he picks the best for his juniors side.
   "I'm a professional, so even though I coach a club side, I will only pick the best when it comes for national duty and there is no conflict of interest between selection for my club or my country," said Arul.
   Meanwhile, the women's MHL Division One will make its debut with nine teams.
   Both the men's and women's MHL Division One matches start on March 16 with the final slated for May 18.
   MALAYSIA Hockey League -- MEN: Division One: UiTM Lions, Bukit Jalil Sports School, Armed Forces, Sekolah Sukan Tengku Mahkota Ismail, UniKL, Nur Insafi, Terengganu, Sapura Hockey Club, Tenaga Nasional, Sukma Selangor.
   WOMEN -- Division One: Terengganu, UiTM Lions, SSN Selangor, MSN Kedah, Armed Forces, Sukma KL, SSTMI Thunderbolts, Johor Baru Municipal Council, Police.

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Thunderbolts poised for semis...

DIVISION One champions SSTMI Thunderbolts are already looking beyond the quarter-finals of the Milo Cup which will be played at the National Hockey Stadium today.
     The champions will meet MSP Pahang, in what should be an easy encounter, and Thunderbolts coach Wan Roslan Wan Rahman did not hold back his thoughts.
     “It’s not a question of being overconfident but I feel my team should have no problems making the semis,” said Wan Roslan.
     “Frankly I admire the Pahang team as they are building for the future. It’s just unfortunate that they drew the short straw and are up against us.
    “My instructions to the players is simple, make use of the chances, get a good lead so I can rest some players as we need them to be injury and suspension free for the semis.”
    While Thunderbolts had the easiest of the draw, the other three quarter-final ties are equally poised, despite three teams being from Division One.
    Former champions Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) are hoping to pull the rug from under the feet of Petaling Jaya Municipal Council in the other last eight.
    But they will be hard pressed in the first leg as they have two players ruled out due to suspension and another two carrying injuries.
    The two injured players are Adrian Andy and Syazi who suffered an injury that required nine stitches in the Division Two final against Politeknik KPM last Sunday.
    “With four players out, we need to come up with a game plan to contain our opponents for the first leg,” said BJSS coach S. Prakash.
     “A draw will be a good result and we have to play smartly and not open up our defence as PJCC are very good in their offensive play.”
    The match of the quarter-finals will surely be UniKL Young Guns against Politeknik KPM.
     UniKL have been blowing hot and cold throughout the Division One matches and if they continue to do so, they will surely miss out on a place in the semis.
    “We did some soul searching with the players and hope to perform up to our real standard in the knockout stages,” said team manager Mohamed Faiz Isa.
     “We are well aware of the dangers posed by our opponents who are on a high after winning the Division Two title.
   “On our part we have been playing well only in patches and that stopped short our dream of winning the Division One title. But we hope to change our fortunes starting tomorrow (today).”
     The other exciting match-up is between Malacca High School (MHS) and Olak-PKT that could swing either way.
     Although Olak are from Division Two, they played like a Division One side in the play-offs, while Division One side MHS have the capability to upset the form-book if given half a chance.
   MILO Cup -- Quarter-finals first leg: TODAY: SSTMI  Thunderbolts v MSP Pahang (4pm, Pitch I); Malacca High  School v Olak-PKT (4pm, Pitch II); Petaling Jaya Municipal  Council v Bukit Jalil Sports School (6pm, Pitch I); UniKL  Young Guns v Politeknik-KPM (6pm, Pitch II).
   Quarter-finals first leg: SUNDAY: Bukit Jalil Sports School  v Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (4pm, Pitch II); Politeknik- KPM v UniKL Young Guns (4pm, Pitch I); MSP Pahang v SSTMI  Thunderbolts (6pm, Pitch II); Olak-PKT v Malacca High  School (6pm, Pitch I).
   (Note: All matches at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit  Jalil). 

De Young to play 300th game in Ipoh..

Hockey Australia has today announced the 18-athlete Kookaburras squad that will compete at next month’s Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia. The announcement came on the same day that the 2014 men's national senior and development squads were named.

Three-time Olympian and Athens 2004 gold medallist Liam De Young is set to become only the fourth Australian to make 300 appearances for the Kookaburras after being named in the squad for the prestigious invitational Sultan Azlan Shah tournament. He will join Jay Stacy (321 caps), Brent Livermore (317) and fellow Queenslander Jamie Dwyer (308) as a member of the ‘300 club’.

Tasmanian Eddie Ockenden - a two-time Olympic bronze medallist and World Cup winner - will make his 200th appearance for the Kookaburras while Victorian Glenn Simpson will reach a century of matches for Australia. 

National Coach Ric Charlesworth makes eight changes from the Kookaburras squad that competed at the World League Finals in Delhi in January with several other significant milestones expected.

Darwin-born Jeremy Hayward will make his competitive senior international debut in Ipoh having impressed at the International Super Series Hockey 9s in Perth last October and at the Junior World Cup in Delhi in December. 

Western Australian Trent Mitton - a Commonwealth Games gold medallist - and Queenslander Jake Whetton will both play their 50th international matches. 

Five-time World Player of the Year Jamie Dwyer returns to the Kookaburras’ line-up having been rested for the World League Finals while there are also recalls for goalkeeper Andrew Charter, Simpson, Matt Gohdes, Rob Hammond, Mitton and Andrew Philpott, who has be elevated into the national senior squad for 2014. Penalty corner ace Chris Ciriello returns having been withdrawn from the World League squad after suffering a torn calf. In all, nine of the squad have recently returned from the Hockey India League, including Tristan White, who along with Gohdes, was a winner with the Delhi Waveriders in hockey’s premier franchise-based competition. 

Announcing the squad, Kookaburras coach Ric Charlesworth said, “The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup is our last tournament before the World Cup and the squad has been picked with that in mind. 

“We’ve selected based on a range of objectives, including load management. We’ve got athletes that have played in the Oceania Cup, World League Finals and Hockey India League and we need to look after them with both the World Cup and Commonwealth Games coming up. Some people, like Jamie Dwyer, were rested for the World League Finals but now need to come back and play with the group.”

Gunning for a record eighth title as they defend their 2013 crown, the Kookaburras will face Canada, China, Korea, South Africa and hosts Malaysia in the 23rd edition of the competition. 

Charlesworth added that despite the recent withdrawal of Pakistan, the now six team tournament has the quality to test Australia. 

“It’s unfortunate that a couple of teams [Pakistan and France] had to pull out but the likes of Korea, Malaysia and South Africa in particular are quality teams that will be at the World Cup. The tournament format means that we’ll also have a few two-day rest periods, which is unusual in hockey but which we will experience in The Hague and at the Commonwealth Games so that too will be good preparation.”

Kookaburras squad for Sultan Azlan Shah
13-23 March 2014 - Ipoh, Malaysia
Athlete (Hometown, State) Caps/Goals
Daniel Beale (Brisbane, QLD) 20/5
Nick Budgeon (Hobart, TAS) 14/3
Andrew Charter (GK) (Canberra, ACT) 54/0
Chris Ciriello (Melbourne, VIC) 125/69
Liam De Young (Brisbane, QLD) 296/34
Jamie Dwyer (Rockhampton, QLD) 308/200
Russell Ford (Melbourne, VIC) 143/69
Matt Gohdes (Rockhampton, QLD) 80/22
Rob Hammond (Townsville, QLD) 239/28
Jeremy Hayward (Darwin, NT) 0/0
Mark Knowles (Rockhampton, QLD) 224/18
Tyler Lovell (GK) (Perth, WA) 14/0
Trent Mitton (Perth, WA) 48/14
Eddie Ockenden (Hobart, TAS) 199/51
Andrew Philpott (Melbourne, VIC) 9/1
Glenn Simpson (Melbourne, VIC) 99/19
Jake Whetton (Brisbane, QLD) 46/18
Tristan White (Wollongong, NSW) 21/1

Kookaburras fixtures at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup
Date - Fixture - Result - Local time - AEDT – AWST
Thurs. 13 March - Kookaburras v China - 18:05 - 21:05 - 18:05
Sun. 16 March - Kookaburras v Canada - 18:05 - 21:05 - 18:05
Mon. 17 March - South Africa v Kookaburras - 16:05 - 19:05 - 16:05
Thurs. 20 March - Korea v Kookaburras - 20:05 - 23:05 - 20:05
Sat. 22 March - Kookaburras v Malaysia - 18:05 - 21:05 - 18:05
Sun. 23 March - Finals Day & Classification - 15:35 - 18:35 - 15:35

Upcoming Kookaburras matches and tournaments
13-23 March – Sultan Azlan Shah Cup (Ipoh, Malaysia)
17-19 April – Kookaburras v New Zealand (Two Tests) (Perth, Australia)
24-25 May – Kookaburras v England (Two Tests) (England)
31 May – 15 June – Men’s World Cup (The Hague, Netherlands)
23 July – 3 Aug – Commonwealth Games (Glasgow, Scotland)
13-21 December – Men’s Champions Trophy (Bhubaneswar, India)

Monday, February 24, 2014

Drubbing Down Under...


THE Malaysian hockey team, preparing for the Azlan Shah Cup, have so far received a three-match drubbing in their playing Tour Down Under in Perth.
    Coach K. Dharmaraj’s side were beaten 5-1, 7-1 and 4-2 by a mixed Australian side who will also be playing in the Azlan Shah Cup on March 13-23 in Ipoh.
    The other teams in the Azlan Shah Cup are China, Canada, South Africa and South Korea.
    While some of the best Australian talent were absent as they went to play in the Hockey India League, the team that thrashed Malaysia are called Hockey Australia High Performance Program team.
    Malaysia are slated to play three more matches before packing their bags and heading home.
    Meanwhile, the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) competitions committee have decided that all the Milo Cup matches will be played at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
    Competitions Committee chairman M. Gobinathan said: “We have decided to hold all the Milo Cup quarter-finals, semi-finals and final matches at Bukit Jalil and all teams involved have been informed about it.”
    MILO Cup -- Quarter-finals first leg: Feb 28: SSTMI Thunderbolts v MSP Pahang (4pm, Pitch I); Malacca High School v Olak-PKT (4pm, Pitch II); Petaling Jaya Municipal Council v Bukit Jalil Sports School (6pm, Pitch I); UniKL Young Guns v Politeknik-KPM (6pm, Pitch II).
   Quarter-finals first leg: March 2: Bukit Jalil Sports School v Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (4pm, Pitch II); Politeknik-KPM v UniKL Young Guns (4pm, Pitch I); MSP Pahang v SSTMI Thunderbolts (6pm, Pitch II); Olak-PKT v Malacca High School (6pm, Pitch I).
   (Note: All matches at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil).

PAKISTAN OUT, REDUCED TO B GRADE EVENT

by http://www.azlanshahcup.com
 
The 23rd edition of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup is fast becoming a sham no thanks to poor planning by the Organising Committee.
    The latest low came about when Pakistan withdrew from the seven team event by notifying the Malaysian Hockey Confederation who kept the news to themselves until NewStraits Times journalist Jugjet Singh managed to get the official word from the national body late Saturday.
   The whole tournament had lost its glitter, turning from a classy A level event to a C grade event following the decision by top teams to give the event a miss.
   It all boils down to a poor choice of dates by the overzealous Organisors who clearly lacked the ability to convince teams to come with some forward thinking.
    Even former national coach Paul Revington was baffled by the choice of dates for this years event given the fact that the Champions Challenge was slated for April 26 to May 4 and the World Cup in The Hague slated for May 31 till June 15.
   Revington had requested, prior to resigning, to hold the tournament in February as that would have allowed to European sides like Germany, Holland, Belgium, England and Spain to be available. But all he got was a curt replay that the Sultan was not agreeable.
   Those who know the Sultan will be well aware that he has the best interest of hockey at heart and has gone out of his way to hold the event even in January and May to suit the international calendar.
    It is clear that inept officials caused irreparable damage to the event as they failed to look at the bigger picture. Thus the 23rd edition has lost its glitter as teams like Argentina, New Zealand, India, Belgium - all declined the invites and Australia will surely field the developmental squad.
    And by having teams ranked behind Malaysia in the world ranking being invited to play, Malaysia is giving a paid for match practice to teams like Canada, China and France ( till they withdrew) a perfect platform to better themselves at Malaysian expense.
    This is hardly the sought of preparation for the Malaysian team to prepare for a World Cup.
    Perhaps the Perak HA, which has not even merged thus running foul of FIH regulations that compelled MHF to merge with MWHA to form a single entity, could now field a combined team of illegals to play in what is the worlds longest running international tournament.
   They will go down as a bunch of individuals who have gave scant respect to such a great tournament, all because of their lack of ability to think out of the box.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Politeknik-KPM claim Division Two title...

DIVISION One champions SSTMI Thunderbolts will meet MSP-Pahang in the Milo Cup quarter-finals after the draw was conducted at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
   The quarter-finals will be played on a home-and-away format on Feb 28 and March 2, and the second last eight will be between Malacca High School and Olak-PKT.
    The other quarters will be between Petaling Jaya Minicipal Council and Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS), while UniKL Young Guns are expected to face a tough time against Politeknik-KPM.
   In the final of the Division Two playoffs yesterday, Politeknik-KPM lifted the title when they beat BJSS 2-1. Politeknik-KPM drew first blood in the 14th minute when Ashran Hamsani scored a penalty corner rebound, but BJSS drew level in the 25th minute off a Fakhri Ardillah field goal.
   However, Ashram Hamsani scored the winner for Politeknik-KPM off a penalty corner attempt in the 69th minute.
   Meanwhile, Olak-PKT beat MSP-Pahang 2-1 to finish third in the Division Two playoffs.
   And the good news for them was that their sponsors PKT, a logistics company based in Klang, has promised to reward the Olak boys with a trip to Bali, Indonesia.
   "Our sponsors PKT were delighted that we will be back in Division One after being out since 2009, and have pledged to send my players for a rewarding trip to Bali in Indonesia," said Olak-PKT team manager Joseph de Silva.
   Norhafizi Aris scored for Olak-PKT in the 21st minute, while Zabad Rosly made it 2-0 in the 54th minute. MSP-Pahang tried to make a comeback with a goal from Syafiq Sharudin in the 57th minute, but the clock died on them.
    RESULTS: Final -- Politeknik-KPM 2 Bukit Jalil Sports School 1; Third-Fourth: Olak-PKT 2 MSP-Pahang 1.
  MILO Cup -- Quarter-finals first leg: Feb 28: SSTMI Thunderbolts v MSP Pahang, Malacca High School v Olak-PKT, Petaling Jaya Municipal Council v Bukit Jalil Sports School, UniKL Young Guns v Politeknik-KPM.

BJSS scrape into final...

BUKIT Jalil Sports School (BJSS) will play Politeknik-KPM in the final of the Division Two play-offs at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil Sunday.
   BJSS, Politeknik-KPM, Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak-PKT) and MSP-Pahang also qualified to play in Division One next season.
   Yesterday, BJSS beat Nur Insafi 5-2, while Politeknik-KPM beat MSP-Pahang 5-0 to qualify for the final. The Politeknik-KPM goals were scored  by Ain A. Rahman (14th, 24th),  Kamarul Ariffin Kamaruddin (19th),  Ashran Hamsani ( 45th), Khairuddin Ramlan (57th).
   BJSS, who were relegated to Division Two last year, were elated with the comeback.
   "We reached our target of re-claiming our Division One spot, and even though the final tomorrow (today) is expected to be tough for us, my boys are ready to give their best," said BJSS coach S. Prakash.
    Needing to win by three clear goals to pip Olak-PKT, BJSS went into the lead in the 8th minute through Mahathir Rathuwan.
   But Nur Insafi was not going to make it easy and drew level in the 18th minute via Izaidi Ismail.
   However goals from Norshahrezan Mat Jusoh (25th, 33rd), Fakhri Ardillah Saifullah (48th, 61st) gave them a 5-1 lead.
   Nur Insafi tried to upset the formbook, but could only score one more off  NurMushawwir Hrsikesa Thaitchana in the 51st minute.
   BJSS earned RM2,000 as Group X champions with Olak-PKT receiving RM1,500 as runner-up.
  In Group Y, Politeknik-KPM collected RM2,000 and MSP-Pahang received RM1,500.
   RESULTS: BJSS 5 Nur Insafi 2, Politeknik-KPM 5 MSP-Pahang 0.
   SUNDAY: Final -- Politeknik-KPM v Bukit Jalil Sports School (7pm); Third-Fourth: Olak-PKT v MSP-Pahang (5pm). Both matches at the National Stadium II in Bukit Jalil.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Pakistan withdraw from Azlan Shah Cup

THE Azlan Shah Cup will be a six-team affair this year, as Pakistan sent an email to the  Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) secretaray Datuk Johari Aziz on Friday to pull out at the eleventh hour.
   The tournament will be held from March 13-23, with the hosts battling against World No 1 Australia, Canada, China, South Africa and South Korea.
   "I received an email late Friday from the Pakistan Hockey Federation informing me that they have decided to withdraw from the Azlan Shah Cup.
   "Pakistan had confirmed their participation earlier, and their 11th hour withdrawal has placed Malaysia in a sticky situation. Now, it is too late to invite another team, and also we don't want to beg a team which is not interested to play.
   "So, it will be a six team tournament this year," said Johari Aziz.
    India were the first team to decline invitation, and then France pulled out to play in the Champions Challenge I in Kuantan instead and the replacement were South Africa.
    Malaysia are the silver medallists, while Australia the defending champions.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Olak back in Division One...

OLD LA Sallians Association of Klang (Olak-PKT) came back from the dead to hold Bukit Jalil Sports School 1-1 to qualify for the Milo Cup and also assured themselves a promotion into Division One next year.
   Olak have been out in the cold in Division Two since 2009, and after beating Nur Insafi 4-1 on Thursday in Group X, they will play a waiting game to see if they also qualify for the final of the Division Two playoffs.
   Today, BJSS play Nur Insafi and the sports school needs to beat Nur Insafi by four  clear goals to play against the champions of the Group Y playoffs.
   BJSS drew first blood in the 20th minute when Abdul Syafiq scored a field goal, but Olak-PKT drew level
when Shafieq Dzulkifly slammed home from close range in the 65th minute.
   "We lacked maturity to hold onto the early lead, and will have to play much better than today (yesterday) if we want to play in the finals of the playoffs. We also need to beat Nur Insafi so that we can advance to Division One next year," said BJSS coach S. Prakash.
   Six teams from Division Two were divided into Group X and Y, and the champions in the round robbin qualify for the final on Sunday, while the top-two advance into the Milo Cup quarter-finals, and also move into Division One next year.
   Olak-PKT team manager Joseph de Silva feels they were denied a penalty stroke: "We should have been awarded a penalty stroke but were denied. However, I am still happy that we will now play in Division One next year."
    And on the waiting game: "It is out of our hands, and we can only watch from the sidelines and hope BJSS do not score four clear goals so that we can play in the final on Sunday," said de Silva.
    BJSS played their first playoff match yesterday, while it was Olak's second consecutive match and the former champions looked lost and tired in the first half. However, a few determined runs by individuals in the last 10 minutes of the match won them the draw.
    RESULTS: Olak-PKT 1 BJSS 1, Bakat MSSK x Politeknik KPM x.
   TODAY: BJSS v Nur Insafi (5pm, National Stadium, II), Politeknik-KPM v MSP-Pahang (7pm, National Stadium, II).

Easy for Olak..

OLD La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak-PKT) beat Nur Insafi of Penang 4-1 for a comfortable win in the Division Two Junior Hockey League playoffs at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil Thursday.
   And in another match yesterday, MSP Pahang beat Bakat MSSK 3-2.
   Six teams from Division Two are involved in the round-robbin playoffs, where four will advance to the quarterfinals against Division One sides SSTMI Thunderbolts, UniKL Young Guns, Petaling Jaya Municipal Council and Malacca High School.
   Yesterday, Division Two top-scorer Mawardi Hamirin was the toast for Olak-PKT, as he assisted in the first goal, and then helped himself to two more goals to bring his tally to 12 goals.
   The 18-year-old Mawardi from Sabah has a knack of making the right passes in the semi-circle, and looks set be be among the names which 2016 Junior World Cup coach Arul Selvaraj will name next week in his training squad.
   Yesterday, the Olak-PKT goals were scored by V. Dilip (11th), Noor Khairul Azri (14th), Mawardi (20th, 40th). The Nur Insafi consolation was scored by Abdul Muhaimin in the 59th minute.
   "I expected a win, but not such a high margin as Nur Insafi are the Group A champions. Credit is also due to my players, as they never let up the pressure from the start," said Olak team manager Joseph de Silva.
   Olak-Pkt will next play Bukit Jalil Sports School today at the same venue.
   "Our top-scorer Mawardi should turn out to be an asset to the country in the near future, and I would  not be surprised if he makes his name in the 2016 Junior World Cup," said Joseph.
    On Bukit Jalil today, Joseph feels it will be a tougher match: "But we are ready for them, as our aim is to play in Division One next year."
    Nur Insafi were a jaded side, and only came alive in the last 10 minutes of the match, but it was too late to salvage the game.
   FRIDAY: Olak-PKT v BJSS (5pm), Bakat MSSK v Politeknik KPM (5pm). Both matches at the National Hockey Stadium Pitch II.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Advantage to Olak..

FORMER double champions Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak-PKT) are looking for a winning start when they meet Nur Insafi of Penang in the Division Two playoffs at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil today.
   Olak were the Division Two Group B champions, while Nur Insafi the Division Two Group A champions -- making it a sizzling encounter.
   "Our target this year was to become champions in our group and we achieved it, now we want to play in Division One next year, and to achieve that, we need a winning start against Nur Insafi," said Olak manager Joseph de Silva.
   The top two teams in each of the Second Division pools  qualified to play in the second round where the top four  teams will not only play in the overall championships but also  gain promotion to Division One for next season.
   And it looks like Olak will achieve their target, as Nur Insafi are in dire straits.
   Nur Insafi came through the group stages of Division Two with a perfect record, winning all their matches but despite a proud record, the Penang team are not counting on progressing to the knockout stages via the playoffs.
   Nur Insafi travelled to Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday with only 16 players as those in school had to stay back to attend classes.
   And after their first match against Olak-PKT, the numbers will be reduced to 14 as two players will travel back to Penang to attend classes.
    Being a privately funded club, Nur Insafi also face financial woes as the trip for the playoffs cost them RM10,000.
    "We will just troop onto the pitch and give it our best shot. It is unfair to have us play weekday matches when it was agreed that this will not be the case by MHC initially," said Nur Insafi coach Thaitchana Murthi.
    "We wrote in to appeal but were told the decision was made and we are to adhere to it. So, I am left with an under strength side as parents are reluctant to let their kids miss school."
   Thaitchana said that despite these odds he believed the players had what it takes to progress.
   "If we qualify for the quarters then it will be the same issue, release of players and finance," he added.
   And Olak have 10-goal scorer Mawardi Hamrin, 18, to do the damage.
   "The boy is from Sabah and is the top scorer in Division Two, even though he is only 54kg and stands at 164cm he is a cracker. He is small in built, but has a big heart to score. I believe he will be heavily marked tomorrow (today) but he has the knack of getting out of sticky situations with ease," said De Silva.
   Olak, according to De Silva, also have several other strikers to do the damage.
   "We have many players who can score, and So I believe asking for a winning start from my players is not to big a request. The players know, as a privately funded club, we need to show results to keep the sponsors believing in us," said De Silva.




GROUP   X       GROUP Y

NURISAFI      POLITEKNIK -KPM

OLAK-PKT      BAKAT MSSK/PHK

BJSS       MSP PAHANG

TODAY:  Nur Insafi v Olak-PKT (5pm, National Stadium II), MSP-Pahang v Bakat-MSSK (7pm, national Stadium II).
   Tomorrow: Olak -PKT v BJSS (5pm, National Stadium II), Bakat MSSK v Politeknik-KPM (7pm, national Stadium II).
  Saturday: BJSS v Nur Insafi (5pm, National Stadium, II), Politeknik-KPM v MSP-Pahang (7pm, national Stadium, II).

Monday, February 17, 2014

A scramble for six ,,

It will be a tough battle for six teams after the draw for the  playoff of the Milo Cup was made at the National Hockey  Stadium following the completion of the league stages of the  Milo Junior Hockey League.
    The top two teams in each of the Second Division pools  qualified to play in the second round where the top four  teams will not only play in the overall championships but also  gain promotion to Division One for next season.
   In Group X is Nur Isafi, Olak-PKT and Bukit Jalil Sports  School while Group Y comprises of MS Pahang, Bakat – MSS  Kelantan and Politeknik KPM. All matches will played at the  National Stadium in Bukit Jalil from February 2-23.
    From the look of things, Group X is a tougher group given  the stature of the teams placed in it.
    “It is a tough draw as only two teams will make the cut for  the quarterfinal. We have drawn the short straw as both Olak  and Nur Insafi are good teams and have shown their ability by  topping their respective pools in Division Two,” said BJSS  coach S. Prakash.
    For Olak-PKT manager Joseph de Silva, there are no  favourite teams in the second round.
    “We need to win to qualify and that is what we intend to do.  It does not matter who we play as all teams that made the cut  for the second round deserve to be there. So there is no such  thing as favourites and the matches are there to be won,” said  Joseph.
    Meanwhile in the final Division One match, UniKL defeated  Anderson 2-0 through a goals by Shafirul Aqmar M. Saiful  (38th minute) and Zulhaziq Hashim ( 68th minute)
   The win meant that Malacca High School took the last  available spot from Division One to move into the quar terfinals for the overall battle for the Milo Cup.
    In other matches,  PH Kota Star  SMK going down to a 1-5  defeat at the hands of Syed Hassan while Matri lost to 1MAS  Penang 3-4, with MSSD Larut Matang Akademi being held to  a 1-1 draw by Felda Temerloh with SM Sain Johor losing 0-6  to BJSS Juniors.
Play Off Draw

Group X
Nur Insafi
Olak-PKT
Bukit Jalil Sports School


Group Y
Politeknik KPM
Bakat-MSS Kelantan
MS Pahang Juniors

Note:  Matches will be played at Bukit Jalil stadium on Feb  20-23. Top two teams of each pool will join SSTMI Thun derbolts, UniKL Young Guns, Petaling Jaya City Council and  Malacca High School in quarterfinals of Milo Cup.


Roll of Honour

Division One

Champions: SSTMI Thunderbolts (RM15,000)

Runner Up: UniKL Young Guns (RM10,000)

Third: Petaling Jaya City Council (Rm8,000)

Fourth: Malacca High School (RM7,000)

Division Two A

Champion: Nur Insafi (RM5,000)

Runner Up: Bakat-MSS Kelanatan (RM3,000)

Division Two B

Champion: Olak-PKT (RM5,000)

Runner Up: MS Pahang Juniors (RM3,000)

Division Two C

Champions: Politeknik KPM (RM5,000)

Runner Up: Bukit Jalil Sports School (RM3,000)


Results:

Division One

UniKL Young Guns 2 Anderson 0

Division Two A

PH Kota Star 1 SMK Syed Hassan 5

Matri 3 1MAS Penang 4

Division Two B

MSSD Larut Matang Akademi 1 Felda Temerloh 1

Division Two C

SM Sain Johor 0 BJSS Juniors 6

Monday, February 10, 2014

Love is in the air for Thunderbolts...

TUNKU Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) Thunderbolts will renew their love vow with hockey when they play for their fifth consecutive Junior Hockey League title on Valentines Day.
    The School, formerly known as Bandar Penawar Sports School, found the right tonic to success when they tied the knot with sponsors Tenaga Nasional.
     Thunderbolts, unbeaten after five matches by scoring a whopping 30 goals in Division One, are expected to have an easy time against Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) who only have one win to show after four matches.
     “We are fortunate that we have an ally in Tenaga Nasional and that helped us a lot in monetary as well as technical aspects of the game. We are grateful to them and it is a collective effort that has seen the school become strong in the sport,” said coach Wan Roslan Wan Rahman.
    The match against KLHC will be a mere formality to complete the fixtures: “My players knew from the start of the season that we must beat UniKL (Young Guns) to retain our title and they gave their all in the 4-1 win.”
    For UniKL it is back to the drawing board after their humiliating defeat.
    Coach Rodhanizam Radzi had some of the most talented juniors in the country at his disposal but their inability to c convert penalty corners saw their downfall.
  “We lost to a better team and that we have to accept. We will now try to win the runner up spot and focus on the knockout stages but we need the players to start believing in their ability first,” said Rodhanizam.
     The battle for spots into the play-offs from the three Division Two tiers has also turned out to be an interesting affair.
    For, only Nur Insafi from Penang have assured themselves of a place in the six team playoff for the four spots in the quarter-final of the knock out stage.
     The two top teams in each of the Division Two groups will play in a playoff stage to determine which four move into the quarters.
   Olak-PKT are expected to move into the playoff despite going down to their first defeat, 2-1 to MSP Juniors in Kuantan.
    “It was on those days where everything went wrong for us,” said Olak team manager Joseph de Silva.
    “We deserved to lose as we lost our focus and the defeat is a timely wake up call for us.”



DIVISION ONE
                    P  W  D  L  F   A  Pts
TH’BOLTS    5   5   0  0  30   4    15
PJCC             5 4    0   1  11   10  12
UNIKL          4 3    0   1   14   4     9
MHS             6 1    2    3   7   18    5
KLHC            4 1     1   2   6    7     4
ANDERSON  5 0    2   3   4    14    2
SSTMI JNRS 5 0     1    4  3 18     1



DIVISION TWO A
                           P  W  D  L   F    A  Pts
NUR INSAFI        7  7   0   0   23   6    21
BAKAT                5  4   0  1   13   7    12
SYED HASSAN    5  3   1   1   14   5   10
MSSPP-USM        6  2   1  3    12  12    7
MATRI PERLIS    5  1  2   2    6    7    5
STAR                  6  1   1   4   6    21  4
1MAS PENANG   5  0   2   3    4   10    2
PHKS                  5  0   1   4   3    13    1

DIVISION TWO B
                              P    W  D    L   F     A    Pts
PAHANG JRS           7   5   2   0    25     7   17
OLAK-PKT               6  5    0   1    27    6   15
PDG MIDIN              5   4   0   1    27     6   12
FELDA TEMERLOH 5   2    1   2    19     9    7
KLSS JRS                  7  2   0   5     15    23   6
LARUT MATANG     5   1   2   2    13     15    5
1MAS PERAK           5   1   1   3    9      11    4
PERMATANG JRS     6  0   0   6     5    64   0


DIVISION TWO C
                              P    W  D    L   F     A    Pts
POLITEKNIK          4    4    0    0   23    3    12
BJSS                      5    4    0     1   18    7     12
BENTARA LUAR    4    3    0     1   17    6     9
SMKTB                  5    2    1     2   9     14    7
SMKDMT               5    1    1     3    6     15   4
BJSS JRS                5    0    1     4     5    17   1
PHDK                     4    0    1    3     4     20   1

Sunday, February 9, 2014

PJCC do just enough...

PETALING Jaya City Council (PJCC) did just enough to edge Kuala Lumpur Sports School (KLSS) 2-1 to keep their hopes alive of finishing second in Division One of the Junior Hockey League.
    Now, PJCC must beat UniKL Young Guns in their final League match on Feb 15 to realise their dream.
    KLSS drew first blood in the eighth minute when Nur Faiz Rosli scored a field goal, but PJCC equalised seconds from the half-time hooter off a Nor Ikhwab Rahman penalty corner.
    And in the 66th minute, Nazirul Zebidi made sure his team collected full points with another penalty corner attempt.
    PJCC coach Azlan Saufi was a relieved man when the final hooter blew: “We did just enough to beat KLSS, and I think it was due to the two-week break which the boys enjoyed.
    “But I’m happy with their commitment to come back from a goal down and beat KLSS so that we still have a chance of finishing second in the JHL this season.”
    However, Azlan does not think his side desreve the favourites tag when they play UniKL.
    “UniKL were quite unlucky their penalty corner’s did not work against SSTMI Thunderbolts (UniKL lost 4-1). Overall, I think UniKL are a very strong side and any team which takes them lightly will be punished. So I feel the underdogs tag is better for PJCC,” said Azlan.
    RESULTS: Division One -- KLSS 1 Petaling Jaya CC 2.
   Division Two A: 1MAS Penang 1 PHKS 1, Nur Insafi 2 Syed Hassan 0.
   Division Two B: Padang Midin 3 KLSS Juniors 2, MSP Pahang Juniors 2 Olak-PKT 1.
   Division Two C: Datuk Taha 3 BJSS Juniors 1.



DIVISION ONE
                    P  W  D  L  F   A  Pts
TH’BOLTS    5   5   0  0  30 4    15
PJCC             5 4    0   1  11   10  12
UNIKL          4 3    0   1   14  4  9
MHS             6 1    2    3   7 18  5
KLSS            4 1     1   2   6 7 4
ANDERSON  5 0    2   3   4 14  2
SSTMI JNRS 5 0     1    4   3 18  1



DIVISION TWO A
                           P  W  D  L   F    A  Pts
NUR INSAFI        7  7   0   0   23   6    21
BAKAT                5  4   0  1   13   7    12
SYED HASSAN    5  3   1   1   14   5   10
MSSPP-USM        6  2   1  3    12  12    7
MATRI PERLIS    5  1  2   2    6    7    5
STAR                  6  1   1   4   6    21  4
1MAS PENANG   5  0   2   3    4   10    2
PHKS                  5  0   1   4   3    13    1

DIVISION TWO B
                              P    W  D    L   F     A    Pts
PAHANG JRS           7   5   2   0    25     7   17
OLAK-PKT               6  5    0   1    27    6   15
PDG MIDIN              5   4   0   1    27     6   12
FELDA TEMERLOH 5   2    1   2    19     9    7
KLSS JRS                  7  2   0   5     15    23   6
LARUT MATANG     5   1   2   2    13     15    5
1MAS PERAK           5   1   1   3    9      11    4
PERMATANG JRS     6  0   0   6     5    64   0


DIVISION TWO C
                              P    W  D    L   F     A    Pts
POLITEKNIK          4    4    0    0   23    3    12
BJSS                      5    4    0     1   18    7     12
BENTARA LUAR    4    3    0     1   17    6     9
SMKTB                  5    2    1     2   9     14    7
SMKDMT               5    1    1     3    6     15   4
BJSS JRS                5    0    1     4     5    17   1
PHDK                     4    0    1    3     4     20   1

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Fifth consecutive title looms for Thunderbolts

SSTMI Thunderbolts sidestepped UniKL Young Guns 4-1 in Division One of the Junior Hockey League at the Bukit Jalil Stadium to virtually seal their fifth title in a row.
   The defending champions now only have one match against Kuala Lumpur Sports School at their fort in Taman

Daya on Valentines Day to confirm their title.
    Yesterday, Thunderbolts skipper Aminudin Zain scored a brace off penalty corners in the 31st and 40th minutes

to give his side an early boost.
     Aminuddin has scored six goals to date, equalling his team-mate Najmi Farizal's count. Najmi was suspended for

the match against UniKL, for picking up maximum demerit points while playing against Malacca High School on
Friday.
   Yesterday, Aminuddin was also benched for a green, and then limped out in the 52th minute after picking up an

injury while attempting to score another penalty corner goal.
    However, in the 54th minute, Thunderbolts increased their lead when Firdaus Omar's penalty corner attempt was

deflected into goal by Najib Abu Hassan.
    UniKL's Ikwan Ishak pulled one back in the 56th minute, but Ammar Zahari made the final score 4-1 in favour of

Thunderbolts with a simple tap in the 67th minute.
    "It is a nice feeling going for our fifth title, as we only have obe more match to complete the fixtures unbeaten.

And UniKL were supposed to be our strongest hurdle, so I'm very happy that my players scored three penalt corners
and one field goal to kill off their challenge," said Thunderbolts coach Wan Roslan Rahman.
   

RESULTS: Division One -- UniKL Young Guns 1 SSTMI Thunderbolts 4, Malacca High School 1 SSTMI Juniors 0.
   Division Two A: Matri 1 MSSp-USM 1, STAR 3 PHKS1.
   Division Two B: Felda Temerloh 12 Permatang Juniors1.
   Division Two C: BJSS 4 TBSS 1.
   TODAY: Division One -- KLSS v Petaling Jaya CC (5pm, Kuala Lumpur HA).
   Division Two A: 1MAS Penang v PHKS (5pm, USM), Nur Insafi v Syed Hassan (5pm, Sungain Petani).
   Division Two B: Padang Midin v KLSS juniors (5pm, Kuala Terengganu), MSP Pahang Juniors v Olak-PKT (5pm,

Kuantan).
   Division Two C: Datuk Taha v BJSS Juniors (5pm, Seremban II).

DIVISION ONE
                    P  W  D  L  F   A  Pts
TH’BOLTS    5   5   0  0  30 4    15
UNIKL          4 3    0   1   14  4  9
PJCC             4 3    0   1  9   9  9
MHS             6 1    2    3   7 18  5
KLSS            3 1     1   1   5 5 4
ANDERSON  5 0    2   3   4 14  2
SSTMI JNRS 5 0     1    4   3 18  1

DIVISION TWO A
                           P  W  D  L   F    A  Pts
NUR INSAFI        6  6   0   0   21   6    18
BAKAT                5  4   0  1   13   7    12
SYED HASSAN    4  3   1   0   14   3   10
MSSPP-USM        6  2   1  3    12  12    7
MATRI PERLIS    5  1  2   2    6    7    5
STAR                  6  1   1   4   6    21  4
1MAS PENANG   4  0   1   3    3   9    1
PHKS                  4  0   0   4   2    12    0


DIVISION TWO B
                              P    W  D    L   F     A    Pts
OLAK-PKT               5  5    0   0    26    4   15
PAHANG JRS           6   4   2   0    23     6   14
PDG MIDIN              4   3   0   1    24     4    9
FELDA TEMERLOH 5   2    1   2    19     9    7
KLSS JRS                  6  2   0   4     13    20   6
LARUT MATANG     5   1   2   2    13     15    5
1MAS PERAK           5   1   1   3    9      11    4

PERMATANG JRS     6  0   0   6     5    64   0

DIVISION TWO C
                              P    W  D    L   F     A    Pts
POLITEKNIK          4    4    0    0   23    3    12
BJSS                      5    4    0     1   18    7     12
BENTARA LUAR    4    3    0     1   17    6     9
SMKTB                  5    2    1     2   9     14    7
SMKDMT               4    0    1     3    3     14   1
BJSS JRS                4    0    1     3     4    14   1
PHDK                     4    0    1    3     4     20   1

Friday, February 7, 2014

UniKL and Thunderbolts score convincing wins...

UNIKL Young Guns were late bloomers, as they only powered ahead in the second half to beat SSTMI Juniors 6-0 in
Division One of the Junior Hockey League at the Bukit Jalil Stadium yesterday.
    And at the Malacca Stadium, SSTMI Thunderbolts beat Malacca High School 7-2 to set up a mouth watering duel

today.
   UniKL and Thunderbolts square off today in what could be the Division One title showdown.
   "We wasted many penalty corner attempts, but the boys made up with field goals in the second half, and I expect

my strikers to deliver again when we play Thunderbolts tomorrow (today)," said UniKL coach Rodhanizam Radzi.
   Defending champions Thunderbolts, however, we dealt a severe blow as their penalty corner ace Najmi Farizal will

not be able to play against UniKL today as he picked up a yellow card against Malacca High School.
   "Najmi scored a hat-trick against Malacca, but in his gung-ho attempt to win the match for us he picked up his

second yellow card of the tournament and will serve his suspension when we play UniKL.
   "This (UniKL match) could well decide the Division One title, and even though we will be without our main penalty

corner flicker, I still have faith in my players to deliver three points," said Thunderbolts coach Wan Roslan Rahman.
    The Thunderbolts goals were scored by Sufi Ismat (fourth), Nik Aiman Rozemi (12th), M. Saravanan (25th), Najmi

Farizal (38th, 61st, 67th), Najib Hassan (45th).
    The Malacca scorers were Amirul Hakim (21st) and Haniff Razak (49th).
    As for UniKL, their goals were scored by Mohamed Shafirrul Akmal (27th), Zizi Azwan Hassan (30th), Rahimi (45th,

55th, 64th), Hafif Elkan (67th).


RESULTS: Division One -- Malacca High Schhool 2 SSTMI Thunderbolts 7, UniKL Young Guns 6 SSTMI Juniors 0.
    Division Two A: Syed Hassan 4 MSSP-USM 1, STAR 1 Nur Insafi 3.
    Division Two B: KLSS Juniors 6 Larut Matang 2, MSS Pahang 13 Permatang Juniors 1, Padang Midin 4 1MAS

Perak 0.
   Division Two C: SM Tunku Besar 1 BJSS Juniors 1.
    TODAY: Division One -- UniKL Young Guns v SSTMI Thunderbolts (5pm, Bukit Jalil, Pitch II), Malacca High

School v SSTMI Juniors (5pm, Malacca Stadium).
   Division Two A: Matri v MSSp-USM (5pm, Kuala Perlis), STAR v PHKS (5pm, Azlan Shah Stadium).
   Division Two B: Felda Temerloh v Permatang Juniors (5pm, Temerloh).
   Division Two C: SM Tunku Besar v BJSS (5pm, Seremban II).

DIVISION ONE
                    P  W  D  L  F   A  Pts
TH’BOLTS    4   4   0  0  26 3    12
UNIKL          3 3    0   0   13  0  9
PJCC             4 3    0   1  9   9  9
KLSS            3 1     1   1   5 5 4
ANDERSON  5 0    2   3   4 14  2
MHS             5 0    2    3   6 18  2
SSTMI JNRS 4 0     1    3   3 17  1

DIVISION TWO A
                           P  W  D  L   F    A  Pts
NUR INSAFI        6  6   0   0   21   6    18
BAKAT                5  4   0  1   13   7    12
SYED HASSAN    4  3   1   0   14   3   10
MSSPP-USM        5  2   0  3    11  11    6
MATRI PERLIS    4  1  1   2    5    6    4
1MAS PENANG   4  0   1   3    3   9    1
STAR                  5  0   1   4   3    20  1
PHKS                  3  0   0   3   1    9    0


DIVISION TWO B
                              P    W  D    L   F     A    Pts
OLAK-PKT               5  5    0   0    26    4   15
PAHANG JRS           6   4   2   0    23     6   14
PDG MIDIN              4   3   0   1    24     4    9
KLSS JRS                  6  2   0   4     13    20   6
LARUT MATANG     5   1   2   2    13     15    5
1MAS PERAK           5   1   1   3    9      11    4
FELDA TEMERLOH 4   1    1   2    7     8    4
PERMATANG JRS     5  0   0   5     4    52   0


DIVISION TWO C
                              P    W  D    L   F     A    Pts
POLITEKNIK          4    4    0    0   23    3    12
BENTARA LUAR    4    3    0     1   17    6     9
BJSS                      4    3    0     1   14    6     9
SMKTB                  4    2    1     1    8     10    7
SMKDMT               4    0    1     3    3     14   1
PHDK                     4    0    1    3     4     20   1
BJSS JRS                4    0    1     3     4    14   1

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Olak game to save Pandamaran turf..








FORMER double champions Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak) have been training on a tattered and fungus infested artificial pitch, but still, they remain unbeaten after five matches in Division Two B of the Junior Hockey League.
    And with two more matches to play, against Pahang Juniors this Sunday and SMK Padang Midin on Feb 15, Olak team manager Joseph de Silva wants to prove a point to help re-turf the Pandamaran Stadium artificial pitch.
   “We had no choice but to train at the Pandamaran Stadium before the JHL started, and are still using it for training purposes even though it is torn and tattered in several spots.
    “And I hope my boys keep up the momentum and win their remaining two matches so that those who have the power to repair the pitch, will notice our progress, and finally help us to re-turf the pitch,” said de Silva.
    In the five matches Olak have played, against teams who have better home facilities, they won 6-0 against Kuala Lumpur HC, 10-1 against Permatang Juniors, 3-1 against Felda Academy Pahang, 5-1 against Larut Matang and Selama and 2-1 against 1Mas Perak.
    The Pandamaran Stadium was declared as unplayable by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC): “That is why we play our home matches at the Kuala Lumpur HA Stadium. But training is still at Pandamaran, even though the artificial pitch is in deplorable state.
    “We had to utilise the club funds to wash the fungus at the Pandamaran artificial pitch to continue training there, but it has all been worth it as my boys have proven themselves by scoring 26 goals and conceding only four in five matches.”
     Meanwhile, the Division One title is expected to be decided by tomorrow, when title front-runners UniKL Young Guns and SSTMI Thunderbolts come face-to-face.
   But before that, today, UniKL needs to beat SSTMI Juniors while Thunderbolts must beat Malacca High School to set up the finale duel.
    TODAY: Division One -- Malacca High Schhool v SSTMI Thunderbolts (5pm, Malacca Stadium), UniKL Young Guns v  SSTMI Juniors (5pm, Bukit Jalil, Pitch II).
    Division Two A: Syed Hassan v MSSP-USM (5pm, Kuala Perlis), STAR v Nur Insafi (5pm, Azlan Shah Stadium).
    Division Two B: KLSS Juniors v larut Matang (5pm, Kuala Lumpur HA), MSS Pahang v Permatang Juniors (5pm, Kuantan), Padang Midin v 1MAS Perak (5pm, Kuala Terengganu).
   Division Two C: SM Tunku Besar v BJSS Juniors (5pm, Seremban II), Politeknik KPM v SMK Bentara Luar (5pm, Taman Daya).
    TOMORROW: Division One -- UniKL Young Guns v SSTMI Thunderbolts (5pm, Bukit Jalil, Pitch II), Malacca High School v SSTMI Juniors (5pm, Malacca Stadium).
   Division Two A: Matri v MSSp-USM (5pm, Kuala Perlis), STAR v PHKS (5pm, Azlan Shah Stadium).
   Division Two B: Felda Temerloh v Permatang Juniors (5pm, Temerloh).
   Division Two C: SM Tunku Besar v BJSS (5pm, Seremban II).

DIVISION ONE

                    P  W  D  L  F   A  Pts
TH’BOLTS    3   3   0  0  19 1    9
PJCC             4 3    0   1  9   9  9
UNIKL          2 2    0   0   7  0  6
ANDERSON  5 1    2   2   6 12  5
MHS             4 0    2    2   4 11  2
KLSS            3 0     1   2   3 7  1
SSTMI JNRS 3 0     1    2   3 11  1

DIVISION TWO A

                           P  W  D  L   F    A  Pts
NUR INSAFI        5  5   0   0   18   5    15
BAKAT                5  4   0  1   13   7    12
SYED HASSAN    3  2   1   0   10   2    7
MSSPP-USM        4  2   0  2    10  7    6
MATRI PERLIS    4  1  1   2    5    6    4
1MAS PENANG   4  0   1   3    3   9    1
STAR                  4  0   1   3   2    17  1
PHKS                  3  0   0   3   1    9    0

DIVISION TWO B

                              P    W  D    L   F     A    Pts
OLAK-PKT               5  5    0   0    26    4   15
PAHANG JRS           5   3   2   0    10     5   11
PDG MIDIN              3   2   0   1    20     4    6
LARUT MATANG     4   1   2   1    11     9    5
1MAS PERAK           4   1   1   2    9      7    4
FELDA TEMERLOH 4   1    1   2    7     8    4
KLSS JRS                  5  1   0   4     7    18   3
PERMATANG JRS     4  0   0   4     3    38   0

DIVISION TWO C

                              P    W  D    L   F     A    Pts
POLITEKNIK          4    4    0    0   23    3    12
BENTARA LUAR    4    3    0     1   17    6     9
BJSS                      4    3    0     1   14    6     9
SMKTB                  3    2    0     1    7     9     6
SMKDMT               4    0    1     3    3     14   1
PHDK                     4    0    1    3     4     20   1
BJSS JRS                3    0    0     3     3    13   0

Monday, February 3, 2014

Need a miracle at the Hague opener...


MALAYSIA will need a miracle to beat World No 1 Australia  in their opening Group A match of the World Cup at the  Hague, Netherlands on May 31.
   Ranked lowest at the Hague, the International Hockey  Federation (FIH) has given Malaysia the honour to open the  tournament curtains against the highest ranked team.
  And there is more trouble in the format, as twelve-team  tournament has two groups, with the top-two in each group  moving into the semi-finals, while the rest will battle it out in  the fifth-12th bracket depending on how they fare in the  group stages.
    The tournament format is such that it makes group  matches more important, as the teams which end third in  Group A and Group B will battle it out for the fifth-sixth  spot.
    “Yes, we would need a miracle to beat defending cham pions Australia, so we will concentrate on the other four  teams to make sure we finish as high as possible in Group A,  as the FIH format is a straight playoff with no cross-overs for  cushion,” said national coach K. Dharmaraj.
    World No 13 Malaysia’s other opponents in Group A are  world No 5 Belgium (June 2), world No 4 England (June 5),  world No 10 India (June 7) and world No 9 Spain (June 9).
   In Group B are Olympic champions and world No 2  Germany, Netherlands (No 3), New Zealand (No 6), South  Korea (No 7), Argentina (No 11) and South Africa (No 12).
   “As the lowest ranked team in the tournament, we need to  target a high position in our Group. But our first three  matches will be difficult to win, so, we will go all out to get the  better of India and Spain in the last two matches to avoid  finishing last in the group,” said Dharmaraj.
    But the Australians would surely remember last year’s  Azlan Shah Cup final, where Malaysia took them to the wire  before losing 3-2 with the winner scored seven seconds from  time.
    Then, Faizal Saari and Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin scored to  hold Australia 2-2 before Trent Mitton stunned the 15,000  fans with his dying second goal to win Australia’s seventh  Azlan Shah Cup title.