Saturday, March 1, 2014
Its Inspector Kelvinder Singh now...
MHC: It's OK for Arul to wear two hats...
Arul, who is also the head coach for UniKL Hockey Club, was lambasted by Old La Sallians Association of Klang (OLAK-PKT) team manager Joseph de Silva, who claimed that his players were almost pinched in an unethical man ner.
De Silva said Arul, in a telephone conversation, had asked for three of his best Olak boys to play for UniKL in Division One of the Malaysia Hockey League which begins on March 16 with the final slated for May 18.
The Olak team manager felt it was unethical for a national juniors coach to also scout for players for his club, as there might be conflict of interest later.
“A few years back, the coaching committee was of the opinion that national juniors coaches should not coach club sides, but we have changed our stand last year and now they are allowed,” said Manjit.
Manjit and his committee are of the opinion that since there is no clause stopping a juniors coach to coach a club in his contract, they should be no problems arising at this point.
“I think the misunderstanding among a club coach and Arul should be settled by holding a joint-discussion with the competitions committee.
“The competitions committee can answer questions on this matter, and they can also advise all the clubs on what do when such a matter arises in future,” said Manjit.
Arul had said: “"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.”
However, since the matter has been brought up by de Silva, Olak manager since 1995, the relevant bodies must make sure that player-pinching at the highest level does not happen.
“No doubt, schools and then clubs are the ones who nurture and turn players into national material, and so when their boys get pinched there is bound to be some issues. But lets work together for the sake of the country,” said Manjit.
UniKL's moment of truth...
THE return leg of the Milo Cup quarter-finals will only see one tie which is still alive, UniKL Young Guns against Politeknik-KPM at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Sunday.
Three teams in Olak-PKT, SSTMI Thunderbolts and Petal ing Jaya City Council all have healthy cushions from their first leg on Friday.
Politeknik-KPM, the Division Two playoff champions, were a little jaded in the first leg, but have the players to turn the tables on UniKL who only won 3-2 on Friday.
During pre season, UniKL Young Guns were touted as the team to beat in the Milo Junior Hockey League.
But things went horribly wrong for them as not only were they soundly beaten to the Division One League title by defending champions SSTMI Thunderbolts (4-1), but they are also struggling in the chase for the Milo Cup.
Also missing is UniKL's 12th man - their supporters group who provide the moral boost from the stands that drove the team forward in previous seasons.
“We struggled for large parts of the first leg and this probably was due to the fact that the players were too eager to seal the match early,” said UniKL Young Guns manager Mohamed Faiz Isa.
“Conceding the early goal put further pressure on the team and that compounded matters. Only in the final ten minutes did we play hockey we are capable off.
“For the return leg we need to thread with caution and not allow them to score as that will boost their confidence.”
Faiz said that he was optimistic UniKL will make the last four and their performance will improve.
The other last-eight matches are just formalities, as SSTMI Thunderbolts hold an 8-0 lead over MS Pahang Juniors. BJSS trail PJCC 4-1 and Malacca High School also trail Olak-PKT 4- 1.
“We are a young side and considering that making the last eight was a good achievement," said MS Pahang coach Benedict Arrias.
“Let's be honest, Thunderbolts are a class act and we hope that one day our players too will play with the same confidence as our quarters opponents do.”
For BJSS, they are not prepared to throw in the towel yet: “We need to score an early goal to get back into the match,” said BJSS coach S. Prakash.
“We made far too many mistakes in defence and could have avoided the heavy defeat had we played with more confidence. Still I believe that we can bounce back if we show determination from the first whistle.”
Olak are playing with renewed confidence and should make it through to the last four, a creditable achievement for a Division Two side who missed the 2010 edition through financial troubles, the only time they did not play in the MJHL since it's inception in 1995.
SUNDAY: Quarter-finals return leg: Bukit Jalil Sports School (1) v Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (4) (4pm, Pitch II); Politeknik- KPM (2) v UniKL Young Guns (3) (4pm, Pitch I); MSP Pahang (0) v SSTMI Thunderbolts (8) (6pm, Pitch II); Olak-PKT (4) v Malacca High School (1) (6pm, Pitch I).
(Note: All matches at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil. First leg scores in parenthesis).
Three teams in Olak-PKT, SSTMI Thunderbolts and Petal ing Jaya City Council all have healthy cushions from their first leg on Friday.
Politeknik-KPM, the Division Two playoff champions, were a little jaded in the first leg, but have the players to turn the tables on UniKL who only won 3-2 on Friday.
During pre season, UniKL Young Guns were touted as the team to beat in the Milo Junior Hockey League.
But things went horribly wrong for them as not only were they soundly beaten to the Division One League title by defending champions SSTMI Thunderbolts (4-1), but they are also struggling in the chase for the Milo Cup.
Also missing is UniKL's 12th man - their supporters group who provide the moral boost from the stands that drove the team forward in previous seasons.
“We struggled for large parts of the first leg and this probably was due to the fact that the players were too eager to seal the match early,” said UniKL Young Guns manager Mohamed Faiz Isa.
“Conceding the early goal put further pressure on the team and that compounded matters. Only in the final ten minutes did we play hockey we are capable off.
“For the return leg we need to thread with caution and not allow them to score as that will boost their confidence.”
Faiz said that he was optimistic UniKL will make the last four and their performance will improve.
The other last-eight matches are just formalities, as SSTMI Thunderbolts hold an 8-0 lead over MS Pahang Juniors. BJSS trail PJCC 4-1 and Malacca High School also trail Olak-PKT 4- 1.
“We are a young side and considering that making the last eight was a good achievement," said MS Pahang coach Benedict Arrias.
“Let's be honest, Thunderbolts are a class act and we hope that one day our players too will play with the same confidence as our quarters opponents do.”
For BJSS, they are not prepared to throw in the towel yet: “We need to score an early goal to get back into the match,” said BJSS coach S. Prakash.
“We made far too many mistakes in defence and could have avoided the heavy defeat had we played with more confidence. Still I believe that we can bounce back if we show determination from the first whistle.”
Olak are playing with renewed confidence and should make it through to the last four, a creditable achievement for a Division Two side who missed the 2010 edition through financial troubles, the only time they did not play in the MJHL since it's inception in 1995.
SUNDAY: Quarter-finals return leg: Bukit Jalil Sports School (1) v Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (4) (4pm, Pitch II); Politeknik- KPM (2) v UniKL Young Guns (3) (4pm, Pitch I); MSP Pahang (0) v SSTMI Thunderbolts (8) (6pm, Pitch II); Olak-PKT (4) v Malacca High School (1) (6pm, Pitch I).
(Note: All matches at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil. First leg scores in parenthesis).
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