DIVISION One League champions SSTMI Thunderbolts received a bonus draw when they were paired with Division Two's Perlis Young Lions in the TNB CUP quarter-finals on March 4.
Perlis is the weakest team in the knock-out stage, and they have been paired with the strongest side in the Junior Hockye League.
Yesterday, Perlis held Sabah Sports School to a 2-2 draw in the Division Two third-fourth play-off but lost out 3-1 in the penalty shoot out.
The other q-finals will see BJSS Thunderbolts play their brothers BJSS Juniors, while Division One runners-up SSP-MSP will meet Sabah Sports School. UniKL young Guns, third in Division One, have been paired with Anderson Thunderbolts.
Yesterday, Anderson Thunderbolts beat BJSS Juniors 1-0 in the Division Two play-off final.
On paper, all four Division One teams should proceed to the semi-finals barring upsets.
UniKL Young Guns, who last lifted the TNB Cup in 2010, aim for a home run this seaon.
"Even though Anderson (Thunderbolts) are from Division Two, we will still give them the respect all the other three Thunderbolts teams deserve. Tenaga Nasional would not have picked them to be under their programme if they were not strong in basics," said UniKL Young Guns coach I. Vickneswaran.
The interesting part of the draw is that UniKL, if they advance to the semis, will avoid SSTMI and SSP-MSP as they are drawn against the winners of BJSS Thunderbolts or BJSS Juniors.
"Yes, but it is also interesting to note that we beat SSTMI and SSP-MSP in the League but were beaten by BJSS. So, there are no easy matchesmin the knock-out stages," said Vickneswaran.
RESULTS -- JHL Division Two play-off: Final -- Anderson Thunderbolts 1 BJSS Juniors 0; Third-Fourth: Sabah Sports School 2 Perlis Young Lions Juniors 2 (Sabah win shoot-out 3-1).
March 4: TNB Cup q-finals First Leg: SSTMI Thunderbolts v Perlis Young Lions Juniors (to be decided), SSP-MSP Thunderbolts v Sabah Sports School (Bukit Jalil), UniKL Young Guns v Anderson Thunderbolts (Bukit Jalil), BJSS Thunderbolts v BJSS Juniors (Bukit Jalil).
March 6: TNB Cup q-finals Second Leg: Perlis Young Lions Juniors v SSTMI Thunderbolts (to be decided), Sabah Sports School v SSP-MSP Thunderbolts (Bukit Jalil), Anderson Thunderbolts v UniKL Young Guns (Bukit Jalil), BJSS Juniors v BJSS Thunderbolts (Bukit Jalil).
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Saturday, February 27, 2016
MHC: We've cleared 93 per cent of our debts
THE Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) held their fifth Executive Board meting in Malacca Saturday, and announced that they have cleared 93 percent out of their RM2.6 million inherited from the previous regime.
Former president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah left the huge amount for incoming president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal to clear, and team-work saw the MHC back in the black.
Subahan and his team took over in May last year: "We are happy to announce that the MHC has managed to clear 93 per cent of our debt in such a short time and are looking forward to implementing more development and other programmes with the help of our sponsors," said MHC CEO K. Logan Raj.
The other topics discussed at the EB meeting were the progress of the National teams as well as 1Mas Development programme.
"The target is to get back into the Olympics and also the senior and junior World Cups. Numerous programmes are under way towards achieving these dreams," said Logan.
The MHC are also on a 'campaign' to get closer to their state reps, and that is why the meeting was meld in Malacca. Two matches between the senior and development teams were also held recently in Malacca and Seremban to move away from centralising everything in Kuala Lumpur.
Meanwhile, the Division Two Round Two final between Anderson Thunderbolts and BJSS Thunderbolts is expected to go to the wire today.
Both teams, as well as third-and fourth place play off teams Sabah Sports School and Perlis Young Lions Juniors, have qualified for the TNB CUP two-leg quarter-finals on March 4.
The four teams which qualified from Division One are SSTMI Thunderbolts, SSP-MSP Thunderbolts, BJSS Thunderbolts and UniKL Young Guns.
Anderson team manager Saiyuti Samad said: "We have already achieved our aims of playing in Division One next year and also qualifying for the TNB Cup, and now our new targets are to win the Division Two play off and then attempt an upset in the TNB Cup quarter-finals."
But Perlis Young Lions Juniors are a gritty side as they beat favourites TBSS Tampin 4-3 in the group stages of the play off by displaying sheer determination.
SUNDAY: JHL Division Two play-off: Final -- Anderson Thunderbolts v BJSS Juniors (7pm); Third-Fourth: Sabah Sports School v Perlis Young Lions Juniors (5pm).
Note: Both matches at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Friday, February 26, 2016
Perlis Lions edge TBSS Tampin 4-3 for quarters...
PERLIS Young Lions Juniors came back from a goal down to beat TBSS Tampin 4-3 and qualify for the quarter-finals of the TNB CUP on March 4.
The four teams from Division Two which qualified for the quarter-finals after the play-off are Anderson Thunderbolts, BJSS Juniors, Sabah Sports School and Perlis Young Lions Juniors.
Tomorrow, BJSS will play against Anderson in the final while the other two teams will play in a third-fourth classification.
Anderson and BJSS Juniors also qualified to play in Division One next year, while Nur Insafi and SSTMI Juniors were relegated.
From Division One, SSTMI Thunderbolts, BJSS Thunderbolts, SSP-MSP Thunderbolts and UniKL Young Guns qualified for the last eight action.
TBSS, needing only a draw to play in the quarter-finals, took the lead off V. Vengadeswaran in the 12th minute, but Perlis played their hearts out and won the grueling battle.
The other TBSS goals were scored by Aiman Shahmi (37th) and Farhan Zain (50th)
While Perlis got their goals off Faiz Nasri (20th), Nur Hakin Bakri (34th), Syawal Najmi (42nd) and the winner was delivered by Syukur Abu Bakar in the 63rd minute.
In a Group X match, Sabah Sports School hammered Penang MSSP-USM 8-3 to finish second and qualify for the quarter-finals. Sabah will now play in the third-fourth classification match against xxx.
RESULTS: Group X: Sabah Sports School 8 Penang MSSP-USM 3; Group Y: TBSS Tampin 3 Perlis Young Lions Juniors 4.
GIRLS JHL -- Group A: SSTMI Thunderbolts 9 SMK Tun Hussein Onn 0, Southern Girls 0 Sabah Sports School 2, SMK Za'aba 0 Selangor Girls 0.
Group B: MSN Kedah 9 YP-MSP-PHP 0, SMKGR Highlanders 2 MSNT-SMKPM 5, Kuala Lumpur Wipers 17 SMK Sultan Ibrahim 0.
TOMORROW: JHL Division Two play-off: Final -- Anderson Thunderbolts v BJSS Juniors (7pm); Third-Fourth: Sabah v Perlis (5pm).
Note: Both matches at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
GROUP X
P W D L F A Pts
ANDERSON 2 2 0 0 15 5 6
SABAH 2 1 0 1 12 8 3
PENANG 2 0 0 2 4 18 0
GROUP Y
P W D L F A Pts
BJSS JNRS 2 1 1 0 5 4 4
PERLIS 2 1 0 1 7 7 3
TBSS TAMPIN 2 0 1 1 4 5 1
The four teams from Division Two which qualified for the quarter-finals after the play-off are Anderson Thunderbolts, BJSS Juniors, Sabah Sports School and Perlis Young Lions Juniors.
Tomorrow, BJSS will play against Anderson in the final while the other two teams will play in a third-fourth classification.
Anderson and BJSS Juniors also qualified to play in Division One next year, while Nur Insafi and SSTMI Juniors were relegated.
From Division One, SSTMI Thunderbolts, BJSS Thunderbolts, SSP-MSP Thunderbolts and UniKL Young Guns qualified for the last eight action.
TBSS, needing only a draw to play in the quarter-finals, took the lead off V. Vengadeswaran in the 12th minute, but Perlis played their hearts out and won the grueling battle.
The other TBSS goals were scored by Aiman Shahmi (37th) and Farhan Zain (50th)
While Perlis got their goals off Faiz Nasri (20th), Nur Hakin Bakri (34th), Syawal Najmi (42nd) and the winner was delivered by Syukur Abu Bakar in the 63rd minute.
In a Group X match, Sabah Sports School hammered Penang MSSP-USM 8-3 to finish second and qualify for the quarter-finals. Sabah will now play in the third-fourth classification match against xxx.
RESULTS: Group X: Sabah Sports School 8 Penang MSSP-USM 3; Group Y: TBSS Tampin 3 Perlis Young Lions Juniors 4.
GIRLS JHL -- Group A: SSTMI Thunderbolts 9 SMK Tun Hussein Onn 0, Southern Girls 0 Sabah Sports School 2, SMK Za'aba 0 Selangor Girls 0.
Group B: MSN Kedah 9 YP-MSP-PHP 0, SMKGR Highlanders 2 MSNT-SMKPM 5, Kuala Lumpur Wipers 17 SMK Sultan Ibrahim 0.
TOMORROW: JHL Division Two play-off: Final -- Anderson Thunderbolts v BJSS Juniors (7pm); Third-Fourth: Sabah v Perlis (5pm).
Note: Both matches at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
GROUP X
P W D L F A Pts
ANDERSON 2 2 0 0 15 5 6
SABAH 2 1 0 1 12 8 3
PENANG 2 0 0 2 4 18 0
GROUP Y
P W D L F A Pts
BJSS JNRS 2 1 1 0 5 4 4
PERLIS 2 1 0 1 7 7 3
TBSS TAMPIN 2 0 1 1 4 5 1
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Three reasons for Anderson to celebrate...
ANDERSON Thunderbolts edged Sabah Sports School 5-4 to qualify for the TNB CUP quarter-finals in a nerve-racking encounter at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil Thursday.
Six teams from Division Two are involved in the play-off in Group X and Y, and four will advance to the quarter-finals.
Anderson were the first to achieve the feat as they had beaten Penang MSSPP-USM 10-1 on Wednesday.
Anderson joins three other Thunderbolts from Division One -- SSTMI, BJSS and SSP-MSP -- in the last eight while the other qualifier from Division One is UniKL Young Guns.
Anderson team manager Saiyuti Samad was elated with the fact that they not only made the last eight, but also topped Group B and gained promotion to Division One next year.
"This is a great moment to savour for us because we have achieved three of our goals and are looking forward to play in the knock-out. The goal is, obviously, to advance to the semis," said Saiyuti.
Barely a few months under the Thunderbolts programme sponsored by Tenaga Nasional, Anderson has transformed rapidly to rise to Division One.
"We receive coaching, equipment and allowance support from Tenaga under the Thunderbolts programme and to a certain extent, it helped my boys to become better players in a short span," said Saiyuti.
The Anderson goals were scored by Najme Hayazi (10th, 50th), Akram Hakkam (20th), Fuad Zaquan (57th) and just when the score was tied at 4-4, captain marvel Nur Syahmi Zulkifli delivered the winner in the 65th minute.
Sabah Sports School scored off Muhajir Rauf (16th), Saifuddin Azli (23rd, 48th) and Haziq Asyraaf (60th).
Sabah will now face Penang MSSP-USM today in another exciting Group X play-off and the winner will advance to the quarters.
In Group Y, BJSS Juniors and TBSS Tampin played to a 1-1 draw, and the crucial match between TBSS and Perlis Young Lions Juniors will decide which two teams advance to the quarter-finals.
JHL Division Two Playoffs: Results: Group X: Penang MSSPP-USM 1 Anderson Thunderbolts 10; Group Y: Perlis Young Lions Juniors 3 BJSS Juniors 4.
Group X: Anderson Thunderbolts 5 Sabah Sports School 4; Group Y: BJSS Juniors 1 v TBSS Tampin 1.
FRIDAY: Group X: Sabah Sports School v Penang MSSP-USM (National Stadium Pitch II); Group Y: TBSS Tampin v Perlis Young Lions Juniors (National Stadium Pitch II, 7pm).
GIRLS JHL -- FRIDAY: Group A: SSTMI Thunderbolts v SMK Tun Hussein Onn (SSTMI), Southern Girls v Sabah Sports School (Batu Pahat), SMK Za'aba v Selangor Girls (Kuala Pilah).
Group B: MSN Kedah v YP-MSP-PHP (Padang Serai), SMKGR Highlanders v MSNT-SMKPM (Gunung Rapat), Kuala Lumpur Wipers v SMK Sultan Ibrahim (KLHA).
Note: Matches start at 5pm unless stated.
GROUP X
P W D L F A Pts
ANDERSON 2 2 0 0 15 5 6
SABAH 1 0 0 1 4 5 0
PENANG 1 0 0 1 1 10 0
GROUP Y
P W D L F A Pts
BJSS JNRS 1 1 0 0 4 3 3
TBSS TAMPIN 1 0 1 0 1 1 1
PERLIS 1 0 0 1 3 4 0
Six teams from Division Two are involved in the play-off in Group X and Y, and four will advance to the quarter-finals.
Anderson were the first to achieve the feat as they had beaten Penang MSSPP-USM 10-1 on Wednesday.
Anderson joins three other Thunderbolts from Division One -- SSTMI, BJSS and SSP-MSP -- in the last eight while the other qualifier from Division One is UniKL Young Guns.
Anderson team manager Saiyuti Samad was elated with the fact that they not only made the last eight, but also topped Group B and gained promotion to Division One next year.
"This is a great moment to savour for us because we have achieved three of our goals and are looking forward to play in the knock-out. The goal is, obviously, to advance to the semis," said Saiyuti.
Barely a few months under the Thunderbolts programme sponsored by Tenaga Nasional, Anderson has transformed rapidly to rise to Division One.
"We receive coaching, equipment and allowance support from Tenaga under the Thunderbolts programme and to a certain extent, it helped my boys to become better players in a short span," said Saiyuti.
The Anderson goals were scored by Najme Hayazi (10th, 50th), Akram Hakkam (20th), Fuad Zaquan (57th) and just when the score was tied at 4-4, captain marvel Nur Syahmi Zulkifli delivered the winner in the 65th minute.
Sabah Sports School scored off Muhajir Rauf (16th), Saifuddin Azli (23rd, 48th) and Haziq Asyraaf (60th).
Sabah will now face Penang MSSP-USM today in another exciting Group X play-off and the winner will advance to the quarters.
In Group Y, BJSS Juniors and TBSS Tampin played to a 1-1 draw, and the crucial match between TBSS and Perlis Young Lions Juniors will decide which two teams advance to the quarter-finals.
JHL Division Two Playoffs: Results: Group X: Penang MSSPP-USM 1 Anderson Thunderbolts 10; Group Y: Perlis Young Lions Juniors 3 BJSS Juniors 4.
Group X: Anderson Thunderbolts 5 Sabah Sports School 4; Group Y: BJSS Juniors 1 v TBSS Tampin 1.
FRIDAY: Group X: Sabah Sports School v Penang MSSP-USM (National Stadium Pitch II); Group Y: TBSS Tampin v Perlis Young Lions Juniors (National Stadium Pitch II, 7pm).
GIRLS JHL -- FRIDAY: Group A: SSTMI Thunderbolts v SMK Tun Hussein Onn (SSTMI), Southern Girls v Sabah Sports School (Batu Pahat), SMK Za'aba v Selangor Girls (Kuala Pilah).
Group B: MSN Kedah v YP-MSP-PHP (Padang Serai), SMKGR Highlanders v MSNT-SMKPM (Gunung Rapat), Kuala Lumpur Wipers v SMK Sultan Ibrahim (KLHA).
Note: Matches start at 5pm unless stated.
GROUP X
P W D L F A Pts
ANDERSON 2 2 0 0 15 5 6
SABAH 1 0 0 1 4 5 0
PENANG 1 0 0 1 1 10 0
GROUP Y
P W D L F A Pts
BJSS JNRS 1 1 0 0 4 3 3
TBSS TAMPIN 1 0 1 0 1 1 1
PERLIS 1 0 0 1 3 4 0
Monday, February 22, 2016
Div Two teams getting ready for TNB Cup challenge
THE Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) competitions committee has been super kind to give four Division Two teams a chance to play in the TNB Cup quarter-finals, but they should be ready to face a torrid time.
This is because the four Division One teams waiting for them are much more organised, and upsets will be hard to come by.
SSTMI Thunderbolts, even though they dropped a game against UniKL in the last League fixtures, will start as the favourites to nail their fifth consecutive double in the Junior Hockey League.
The other Division One teams which qualified for the knock-out stage are UniKL Young Guns and SSP-MSP Thunderbolts.
From Division Two, six teams will begin their quest to play in the two-leg TNB Cup quarter-finals from Wednesday.
The six have been divided, via an open draw, into two groups and it will be interesting to watch the likes of Sabah Sports School, Group C champions, and Perlis Young Lions Juniors, Group A champions, and Group B champions Anderson Thunderbolts play in Round Two of Division One.
Whatever the outcome, the four Division Two teams should brace for the time of their lives when they play against four of the best from Division One.
For winning the Division One League title, SSTMI pocketed RM18,000, while second-placed BJSS Thunderbolts received RM13,000. UniKL Young Guns and Pahang Sports School received RM10,000 and RM8,000 for finishing third and fourth respectively.
WEDNESDAY: Division Two -- Round Two: Group X: Penang MSSP-USM v Anderson Thunderbolts (5pm); Group Y: Perlis Young Lions Juniors v BJSS Juniors (7pm).
THURSDAY: Group X: Anderson Thunderbolts v Sabah Sports School (5pm); Group Y: TBSS Tampin v BJSS Juniors (7pm).
FRIDAY: Group X: Sabah Sports School v Penang MSSP-USM (5pm); Group Y: TBSS Tampin v Perlis Young Lions Juniors (7pm).
NOTEL: All matches at Pitch II of the National Hockey Stadium.
This is because the four Division One teams waiting for them are much more organised, and upsets will be hard to come by.
SSTMI Thunderbolts, even though they dropped a game against UniKL in the last League fixtures, will start as the favourites to nail their fifth consecutive double in the Junior Hockey League.
The other Division One teams which qualified for the knock-out stage are UniKL Young Guns and SSP-MSP Thunderbolts.
From Division Two, six teams will begin their quest to play in the two-leg TNB Cup quarter-finals from Wednesday.
The six have been divided, via an open draw, into two groups and it will be interesting to watch the likes of Sabah Sports School, Group C champions, and Perlis Young Lions Juniors, Group A champions, and Group B champions Anderson Thunderbolts play in Round Two of Division One.
Whatever the outcome, the four Division Two teams should brace for the time of their lives when they play against four of the best from Division One.
For winning the Division One League title, SSTMI pocketed RM18,000, while second-placed BJSS Thunderbolts received RM13,000. UniKL Young Guns and Pahang Sports School received RM10,000 and RM8,000 for finishing third and fourth respectively.
WEDNESDAY: Division Two -- Round Two: Group X: Penang MSSP-USM v Anderson Thunderbolts (5pm); Group Y: Perlis Young Lions Juniors v BJSS Juniors (7pm).
THURSDAY: Group X: Anderson Thunderbolts v Sabah Sports School (5pm); Group Y: TBSS Tampin v BJSS Juniors (7pm).
FRIDAY: Group X: Sabah Sports School v Penang MSSP-USM (5pm); Group Y: TBSS Tampin v Perlis Young Lions Juniors (7pm).
NOTEL: All matches at Pitch II of the National Hockey Stadium.
Sunday, February 21, 2016
UniKL end SSTMI's six-year winning streak...
UniKL Young Guns ended Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) Thunderbolts' six-year unbeaten run with a 2-0 win in Division One of the Junior Hockey League Sunday.
It marked the first defeat for SSTMI since 2010.
The victory ensured UniKL finish third on the table on 19 points as Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) Thunderbolt thumped OLAK Tigers 7-1 in Ipoh to give them 21 points from nine matches and second spot behind champions SSTMI (24 points).
In the other match that had a bearing on the top four positions, Politeknik Malaysia stunned Pahang Sports School SSP-MSP Thunderbolt 3-2 in Kuantan. Despite the defeat the Pahang outfit finished fourth in the league on 16 points.
Meanwhile, teams from Division Two will be involved in a play-off from Wednesday to decide which four advance to the to Junior Hockey League TNB Cup quarter-finals.
The four confirmed teams for the knock-out stage from Division One are SSTMI Thunderbolts, SSP-MSP Thunderbolts, BJSS Thunderbolts and UniKL Young Guns.
In Division Two Group A, Perlis Young Lions Juniors emerged tops while second were Penang Schools Sports Council; and in Group B Anderson Thunderbolts emerged tops while Bukit Jalil Sports School Juniors were second. In Group C, Sabah Sports School were champions while Tunku Besar Secondary School finished second.
The six were divided into two groups of X and Y, and the top-two will advance to the TNB Cup knock-out stage.
In Group X are Penang Schools Sports Council, Anderson Thunderbolts and Sabah Sports School, while in Group Y are Perlis Young Lions Juniors, Bukit Jalil Sports School Juniors and Tunku Besar Secondary School.
RESULTS: UniKL Young Guns 2 SSTMI Thunderbolts 0, SSTMI Juniors 1 PJCC 4, SMKDBL Young Guns 1 PJCC 1, Olak Tigers 1 BJSS Thunderbolts 7, SSP-MSP Thunderbolts 2 Politeknik Malaysia 3.
GIRLS' JHL -- Group A: UniKL Young Guns 3 Tun Hussein Onn 0, Selangor Girls 1 Southern Girls 2.
GROUP B: YP-MSP-PHP 5 Sultan Ibrahim 0, Mutiara Impian 1 KL Wipers 1, MSN Kedah 6 SMKGR Highlanders 1.
DIVISION ONE FINAL STANDINGS
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI TNDER' 9 8 0 1 37 12 24
BJSS TNDER' 9 7 0 2 43 143 21
UNIKL YOUNG GUNS 9 6 1 2 25 16 19
SSP-MSP-TNDER' 9 5 1 3 37 18 16
POLITEKNIK 9 4 1 4 16 17 13
PJCC 9 3 1 5 14 17 10
OLAK TIGERS 9 3 1 5 21 34 10
SMKDBL YOUNG GUNS 9 2 2 5 16 21 8
NURINSAFI 9 1 3 5 13 44 6
SSTMI JRS 9 0 2 7 9 386 2
It marked the first defeat for SSTMI since 2010.
The victory ensured UniKL finish third on the table on 19 points as Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) Thunderbolt thumped OLAK Tigers 7-1 in Ipoh to give them 21 points from nine matches and second spot behind champions SSTMI (24 points).
In the other match that had a bearing on the top four positions, Politeknik Malaysia stunned Pahang Sports School SSP-MSP Thunderbolt 3-2 in Kuantan. Despite the defeat the Pahang outfit finished fourth in the league on 16 points.
Meanwhile, teams from Division Two will be involved in a play-off from Wednesday to decide which four advance to the to Junior Hockey League TNB Cup quarter-finals.
The four confirmed teams for the knock-out stage from Division One are SSTMI Thunderbolts, SSP-MSP Thunderbolts, BJSS Thunderbolts and UniKL Young Guns.
In Division Two Group A, Perlis Young Lions Juniors emerged tops while second were Penang Schools Sports Council; and in Group B Anderson Thunderbolts emerged tops while Bukit Jalil Sports School Juniors were second. In Group C, Sabah Sports School were champions while Tunku Besar Secondary School finished second.
The six were divided into two groups of X and Y, and the top-two will advance to the TNB Cup knock-out stage.
In Group X are Penang Schools Sports Council, Anderson Thunderbolts and Sabah Sports School, while in Group Y are Perlis Young Lions Juniors, Bukit Jalil Sports School Juniors and Tunku Besar Secondary School.
RESULTS: UniKL Young Guns 2 SSTMI Thunderbolts 0, SSTMI Juniors 1 PJCC 4, SMKDBL Young Guns 1 PJCC 1, Olak Tigers 1 BJSS Thunderbolts 7, SSP-MSP Thunderbolts 2 Politeknik Malaysia 3.
GIRLS' JHL -- Group A: UniKL Young Guns 3 Tun Hussein Onn 0, Selangor Girls 1 Southern Girls 2.
GROUP B: YP-MSP-PHP 5 Sultan Ibrahim 0, Mutiara Impian 1 KL Wipers 1, MSN Kedah 6 SMKGR Highlanders 1.
DIVISION ONE FINAL STANDINGS
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI TNDER' 9 8 0 1 37 12 24
BJSS TNDER' 9 7 0 2 43 143 21
UNIKL YOUNG GUNS 9 6 1 2 25 16 19
SSP-MSP-TNDER' 9 5 1 3 37 18 16
POLITEKNIK 9 4 1 4 16 17 13
PJCC 9 3 1 5 14 17 10
OLAK TIGERS 9 3 1 5 21 34 10
SMKDBL YOUNG GUNS 9 2 2 5 16 21 8
NURINSAFI 9 1 3 5 13 44 6
SSTMI JRS 9 0 2 7 9 386 2
Marcus Fraser the Inaugural Maybank Champion,,,
By Jugjet Singh
MARCUS Fraser of Australia kept his cool on a hot and windy afternoon at the Royal Selangor Golf Club to lift the inaugural Maybank Championship Malaysia crown on 15-under 269.
He started the day three strokes behind overnight leafer Lee Soomin of South Korea, but kept biting at the lead and finally laid his hands on a title after a six-year drought.
Soomin's game was badly affected by nerves in the last three holes, where he practically gave away the title as well as US500,000 prize to the Australian.
Marcus, 37-years-old, had a final round of three-under 68, but his putter was shaking as he sank the final putt.
The Australian was two shots behind Soomin as he stood on the 16th but a double-bogey from the Korean coupled with a nearly-holed chip opened the door for Fraser to win a third European Tour title.
A steady ten-foot putt on the 17th kept Fraser in a share of the lead at 15 under going up the last and when Soomin double-bogeyed again, a par was enough to make Fraser the first winner of the Maybank Championship.
"My putter was shaking and I had to grip it harder to steady my hands as I kept thinking that I can't miss this chance to lay my hands on a title after six years.
"Yes, it has been that long since I last won (2010 Ballantines Championship) and so I felt I had to send that ball six inches into to ground. And it happened," said Fraser.
All he wants to do right now is fly home and show his kids the trophy and walk them to school Monday.
"My two young children always ask me when I'm going to win a trophy when I walk out the door for a tournament and finally I will be able to take home one and show it to them.
"I will walk them to school, and let them show the Trophy to their school friends, that's how special this win is," said Fraser.
Soomin double bogied the 16th and 18th to tie second with Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines on 13-under 271. Soomin had a final round of two-over 73, while Tabuena had a three-under 68. They took home US260,565 each.
"I can't complain with the way I played here this week because I was down with food poisoning since Tuesday. I wan't 100 per cent my self so no complaints at all.
"I bogeyed the 17th but came back to birdie the 18th, which almost went in for an eagle. I won't say this is mu biggest achievement by it is certainly my biggest paycheque so far.
"I'm only 21 and have been on the Tour for the last five years now, and so I have plenty of experience and matured. I can't wait for the rest of the year to kick off," said Tabuena.
Tabuena walked into the tournament as the reigning Philippines Open champion: "My big goal is to get into the Olympics (Rio de Janeiro) and this finishing here should help realise my dream."
MARCUS Fraser of Australia kept his cool on a hot and windy afternoon at the Royal Selangor Golf Club to lift the inaugural Maybank Championship Malaysia crown on 15-under 269.
He started the day three strokes behind overnight leafer Lee Soomin of South Korea, but kept biting at the lead and finally laid his hands on a title after a six-year drought.
Soomin's game was badly affected by nerves in the last three holes, where he practically gave away the title as well as US500,000 prize to the Australian.
Marcus, 37-years-old, had a final round of three-under 68, but his putter was shaking as he sank the final putt.
The Australian was two shots behind Soomin as he stood on the 16th but a double-bogey from the Korean coupled with a nearly-holed chip opened the door for Fraser to win a third European Tour title.
A steady ten-foot putt on the 17th kept Fraser in a share of the lead at 15 under going up the last and when Soomin double-bogeyed again, a par was enough to make Fraser the first winner of the Maybank Championship.
"My putter was shaking and I had to grip it harder to steady my hands as I kept thinking that I can't miss this chance to lay my hands on a title after six years.
"Yes, it has been that long since I last won (2010 Ballantines Championship) and so I felt I had to send that ball six inches into to ground. And it happened," said Fraser.
All he wants to do right now is fly home and show his kids the trophy and walk them to school Monday.
"My two young children always ask me when I'm going to win a trophy when I walk out the door for a tournament and finally I will be able to take home one and show it to them.
"I will walk them to school, and let them show the Trophy to their school friends, that's how special this win is," said Fraser.
Soomin double bogied the 16th and 18th to tie second with Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines on 13-under 271. Soomin had a final round of two-over 73, while Tabuena had a three-under 68. They took home US260,565 each.
"I can't complain with the way I played here this week because I was down with food poisoning since Tuesday. I wan't 100 per cent my self so no complaints at all.
"I bogeyed the 17th but came back to birdie the 18th, which almost went in for an eagle. I won't say this is mu biggest achievement by it is certainly my biggest paycheque so far.
"I'm only 21 and have been on the Tour for the last five years now, and so I have plenty of experience and matured. I can't wait for the rest of the year to kick off," said Tabuena.
Tabuena walked into the tournament as the reigning Philippines Open champion: "My big goal is to get into the Olympics (Rio de Janeiro) and this finishing here should help realise my dream."
Saturday, February 20, 2016
SSTMI aim for UniKL scalp...
SSTMI Thunderbolts will be on a mission to keep a clean slate in Division One when they play UniKL Young Guns in the final League fixtures of the Junior Hockey League Sunday.
After winning their sixth League title by beating SSP-MSP Thunderbolts 3-1 on Friday, SSTMI eye another win before going for the TNB Cup glory.
"We have the League title in our hands but still, the match agains UniKL will be an important encounter as we want to keep our unbeaten run. Also, we need this boost to make an impact in the TNB Cup quarter-finals to retain our Overall title as well," said SSTMI coach Wan Roslan Rahman.
Wan Roslan has guides SSTMI to six League and five Overall titles: "However, we will not be taking things easy as UniKL, over the years, has always played their best game when they face us. It won't be easy, but we aim to win full points."
The four qualifiers from Division One for the TNB CUP are SSTMI Thunderbolts, UniKL Young Guns, SSP-MSP Thunderbols and BJSS Thunderbolts.
Four more teams will come from Division Two, where the top to teams each in Group A, B and C will be divided into two groups of three and the top-two make the grade for the TNB Cup.
RESULTS: Division Two: Group A: USM Penang 7 Azlan Shah Science 0; Group C: MSN-PHT 1 Sabah Sports School 5, Malacca Hurricanes 2 Pahang Hockey Academy 1, SMKDBL Jnrs 0 TBSS Tampin 3.
SUNDAY: UniKL Young Guns v SSTMI Thunderbolts (National Stadium Pitch II), SSTMI Juniors v Nur Insafi (STMI), SMKDBL Young Guns v PJCC (Batu Pahat), Olak Tigers v BJSS Thunderbolts (Tun Razak), SSP-MSP Thunderbolts v Politeknik Malaysia (Kuantan).
GIRLS' JHL -- SUNDAY: Group A: UniKL Young Guns v Tun Hussein Onn (National Stadium Pitch I), Selangor Girls v Southern Girls (Ministry of Education).
GROUP B: YP-MSP-PHP v Sultan Ibrahim (Kuantan), Mutiara Impian v KL Wipers (USM), MSN Kedah v SMKGR Highlanders (Padang Serai).
NOTE: Matches start at 5pm.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI TNDER' 8 8 0 0 37 10 24
BJSS TNDER' 8 6 0 2 36 13 18
SSP-MSP-TNDER' 8 5 1 2 35 15 16
UNIKL YOUNG GUNS 8 5 1 2 23 16 16
POLITEKNIK 8 3 1 4 13 15 10
OLAK TIGERS 8 3 1 4 20 27 10
PJCC 8 3 0 5 13 16 9
SMKDBL YOUNG GUNS 8 2 1 5 15 20 7
NURINSAFI 8 1 2 5 11 42 5
SSTMI JRS 8 0 1 7 7 36 1
After winning their sixth League title by beating SSP-MSP Thunderbolts 3-1 on Friday, SSTMI eye another win before going for the TNB Cup glory.
"We have the League title in our hands but still, the match agains UniKL will be an important encounter as we want to keep our unbeaten run. Also, we need this boost to make an impact in the TNB Cup quarter-finals to retain our Overall title as well," said SSTMI coach Wan Roslan Rahman.
Wan Roslan has guides SSTMI to six League and five Overall titles: "However, we will not be taking things easy as UniKL, over the years, has always played their best game when they face us. It won't be easy, but we aim to win full points."
The four qualifiers from Division One for the TNB CUP are SSTMI Thunderbolts, UniKL Young Guns, SSP-MSP Thunderbols and BJSS Thunderbolts.
Four more teams will come from Division Two, where the top to teams each in Group A, B and C will be divided into two groups of three and the top-two make the grade for the TNB Cup.
RESULTS: Division Two: Group A: USM Penang 7 Azlan Shah Science 0; Group C: MSN-PHT 1 Sabah Sports School 5, Malacca Hurricanes 2 Pahang Hockey Academy 1, SMKDBL Jnrs 0 TBSS Tampin 3.
SUNDAY: UniKL Young Guns v SSTMI Thunderbolts (National Stadium Pitch II), SSTMI Juniors v Nur Insafi (STMI), SMKDBL Young Guns v PJCC (Batu Pahat), Olak Tigers v BJSS Thunderbolts (Tun Razak), SSP-MSP Thunderbolts v Politeknik Malaysia (Kuantan).
GIRLS' JHL -- SUNDAY: Group A: UniKL Young Guns v Tun Hussein Onn (National Stadium Pitch I), Selangor Girls v Southern Girls (Ministry of Education).
GROUP B: YP-MSP-PHP v Sultan Ibrahim (Kuantan), Mutiara Impian v KL Wipers (USM), MSN Kedah v SMKGR Highlanders (Padang Serai).
NOTE: Matches start at 5pm.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI TNDER' 8 8 0 0 37 10 24
BJSS TNDER' 8 6 0 2 36 13 18
SSP-MSP-TNDER' 8 5 1 2 35 15 16
UNIKL YOUNG GUNS 8 5 1 2 23 16 16
POLITEKNIK 8 3 1 4 13 15 10
OLAK TIGERS 8 3 1 4 20 27 10
PJCC 8 3 0 5 13 16 9
SMKDBL YOUNG GUNS 8 2 1 5 15 20 7
NURINSAFI 8 1 2 5 11 42 5
SSTMI JRS 8 0 1 7 7 36 1
SSTMI snatch sixth League title
SSTMI Thunderbolts lifted their sixth Junior Hockey League Division One League title when they beat SSP-MSP Thunderbolts 3-1 in Kuantan Friday.
It was SSTMI's fifth consecutive League title since 2012, with the first one won in 2010 under Bandar Penawar Sports School.
Now, coach Wan Roslan Rahman wants his charges to go for the double as well.. their fifth consecutive double if his dream is realised.
"We knew last week itself that we had one hand on the title when SSP-MSP drew 3-3 with Olak Tigers. And today (yesterday) I told my players to minimise giving away penalty corners as they have a good drag flicker.
"It worked, and SSP-MSP could only score off a penalty stroke," said Wan Rahman who has been coaching the team since the Bandar Penawar days, before the school changed its name to Sekolah Sukan Tunku Mahkota Ismail (SSTMI).
SSTMI still have a match in hand against UniKL Young Guns tomorrow, but they have 28 points from eight matches and it just to complete the fixtures.
Amirul Hamizan (28th), Luqman Hakim (32nd) and Akhimullah Anuar (46th) delivered field goals for SSTMI, while Izham Azhar scored the penalty stroke for SSP-MSP.
In another Division One match BJSS Thunderbolts hammered Nur Insafi 11-0.
RESULTS -- Boys' JHL: Division One: SSP-MSP Thunderbolts 1 SSTMI Thunderbolts 3, SSTMI Juniors 1 PJCC 4, BJSS Thunderbolts 11 Nur Insafi 0.
Division Two: Group A: Azlan Shah Science 1 Perlis Young Lions Jnrs 1, Kedah Jnrs 2 Matri 2; Group C: Malacca Hurricanes 4 MSN-PHT 1, TBSS Tampin 4 SM Sains Johor 0.
TODAY: Division Two: Group A: USM Penang v Azlan Shah Science (Sg Petani); Group C: MSN-PHT v Sabah Sports School (Malacca Pitch II), Malacca Hurricanes v Pahang Hockey Academy (Malacca Pitch I), SMKDBL Jnrs v TBSS Tampin (Batu Pahat).
SUNDAY: UniKL Young Guns v SSTMI Thunderbolts (National Stadium Pitch II), SSTMI Juniors v Nur Insafi (STMI), SMKDBL Young Guns v PJCC (Batu Pahat), Olak Tigers v BJSS Thunderbolts (Tun Razak), SSP-MSP Thunderbolts v Politeknik Malaysia (Kuantan).
GIRLS' JHL -- RESULTS: Group A: Selangor Girls 3 Tun Hussein Onn 0, UniKL Young Guns 2 Southern Girls 2, SSTMI Thunderbolts 11 SMK Za'ba 0.
SUNDAY: UniKL Young Guns v Tun Hussein Onn (National Stadium Pitch I), Selangor Girls v Southern Girls (Ministry of Education).
NOTE: Matches start at 5pm unless stated.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI TNDER' 8 8 0 0 37 10 24
BJSS TNDER' 8 6 0 2 36 13 18
SSP-MSP-TNDER' 8 5 1 2 35 15 16
UNIKL YOUNG GUNS 8 5 1 2 23 16 16
POLITEKNIK 8 3 1 4 13 15 10
OLAK TIGERS 8 3 1 4 20 27 10
PJCC 8 3 0 5 13 16 9
SMKDBL YOUNG GUNS 8 2 1 5 15 20 7
NURINSAFI 8 1 2 5 11 42 5
SSTMI JRS 8 0 1 7 7 36 1
It was SSTMI's fifth consecutive League title since 2012, with the first one won in 2010 under Bandar Penawar Sports School.
Now, coach Wan Roslan Rahman wants his charges to go for the double as well.. their fifth consecutive double if his dream is realised.
"We knew last week itself that we had one hand on the title when SSP-MSP drew 3-3 with Olak Tigers. And today (yesterday) I told my players to minimise giving away penalty corners as they have a good drag flicker.
"It worked, and SSP-MSP could only score off a penalty stroke," said Wan Rahman who has been coaching the team since the Bandar Penawar days, before the school changed its name to Sekolah Sukan Tunku Mahkota Ismail (SSTMI).
SSTMI still have a match in hand against UniKL Young Guns tomorrow, but they have 28 points from eight matches and it just to complete the fixtures.
Amirul Hamizan (28th), Luqman Hakim (32nd) and Akhimullah Anuar (46th) delivered field goals for SSTMI, while Izham Azhar scored the penalty stroke for SSP-MSP.
In another Division One match BJSS Thunderbolts hammered Nur Insafi 11-0.
RESULTS -- Boys' JHL: Division One: SSP-MSP Thunderbolts 1 SSTMI Thunderbolts 3, SSTMI Juniors 1 PJCC 4, BJSS Thunderbolts 11 Nur Insafi 0.
Division Two: Group A: Azlan Shah Science 1 Perlis Young Lions Jnrs 1, Kedah Jnrs 2 Matri 2; Group C: Malacca Hurricanes 4 MSN-PHT 1, TBSS Tampin 4 SM Sains Johor 0.
TODAY: Division Two: Group A: USM Penang v Azlan Shah Science (Sg Petani); Group C: MSN-PHT v Sabah Sports School (Malacca Pitch II), Malacca Hurricanes v Pahang Hockey Academy (Malacca Pitch I), SMKDBL Jnrs v TBSS Tampin (Batu Pahat).
SUNDAY: UniKL Young Guns v SSTMI Thunderbolts (National Stadium Pitch II), SSTMI Juniors v Nur Insafi (STMI), SMKDBL Young Guns v PJCC (Batu Pahat), Olak Tigers v BJSS Thunderbolts (Tun Razak), SSP-MSP Thunderbolts v Politeknik Malaysia (Kuantan).
GIRLS' JHL -- RESULTS: Group A: Selangor Girls 3 Tun Hussein Onn 0, UniKL Young Guns 2 Southern Girls 2, SSTMI Thunderbolts 11 SMK Za'ba 0.
SUNDAY: UniKL Young Guns v Tun Hussein Onn (National Stadium Pitch I), Selangor Girls v Southern Girls (Ministry of Education).
NOTE: Matches start at 5pm unless stated.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI TNDER' 8 8 0 0 37 10 24
BJSS TNDER' 8 6 0 2 36 13 18
SSP-MSP-TNDER' 8 5 1 2 35 15 16
UNIKL YOUNG GUNS 8 5 1 2 23 16 16
POLITEKNIK 8 3 1 4 13 15 10
OLAK TIGERS 8 3 1 4 20 27 10
PJCC 8 3 0 5 13 16 9
SMKDBL YOUNG GUNS 8 2 1 5 15 20 7
NURINSAFI 8 1 2 5 11 42 5
SSTMI JRS 8 0 1 7 7 36 1
Thursday, February 18, 2016
3 Thunderbolts and UniKL check into quarters
THREE Thunderbolts and UniKL Young Guns have checked into the quarter-finals in Division One of the Junior Hockey League.
But the League title will only be decided Friday when double champions SSTMI Thunderbolts and SSP-MSP Thunderbolts play in Kuantan.
The other Thunderbolts qualified for the knock-out are Bukit Jalil Sports School.
SSTMI have been under the Tenaga Nasional sponsored and run Thunderbolts programme for the last 10 years and have nailed four consecutive doubles thus far.
However, Pahang Sports School and BJSS only came under Thunderbolts this season but have shown tremendous progress.
UniKL is the lone lion, but will find it hard to defend their two slivers won last season.
The fourth Thunderbolts, Anderson, are playing in Group B of Division Two and after 16 points from seven matches they too look set to play in the TNB Cup quarter-finals.
The Division Two format is a little complicated as two teams each from the three groups will play another round divided into two groups and the top-two teams qualify for the quarter-finals.
SSP-MSP Thunderbolts received a big blow to their maiden title quest when they were held to a 3-3 draw by Olak Tigers on Wednesday.
Now SSP-MSP must beat SSTMI today, then hope UniKL Young Guns too beat SSTMI on Sunday -- and SSP-MSP beats Politeknik on Sunday to lay their hands on the League title.
For SSTMI to claim their fifth consecutive League title, all they have to do is beat SSP-MSP today -- which is an easier passage.
The Girls JHL, with 14 teams divided into two groups, starts Friday.
FRIDAY -- Boys' JHL: Division One: SSP-MSP Thunderbolts v SSTMI Thunderbolts (Kuantan), SSTMI Juniors v PJCC (SSTMI), BJSS Thunderbolts v Nur Insafi (National Stadium).
Division Two: Group A: Azlan Shah Science v Perlis Young Lions Jnrs (K. Kangsar), Kedah Jnrs v Matri (Sg Petani); Group C: Malacca Hurricanes v MSN-PHT (Malacca), TBSS Tampin v SM Sains Johor (Seremban II).
SATURDAY: Division Two: Group A: USM Penang v Azlan Shah Science (Sg Petani); Group C: MSN-PHT v Sabah Sports School (Malacca Pitch II), Malacca Hurricanes v Pahang Hockey Academy (Malacca Pitch I), SMKDBL Jnrs v TBSS Tampin (Batu Pahat).
SUNDAY: UniKL Young Guns v SSTMI Thunderbolts (National Stadium Pitch II), SSTMI Juniors v Nur Insafi (STMI), SMKDBL Young Guns v PJCC (Batu Pahat), Olak Tigers v BJSS Thunderbolts (Tun Razak), SSP-MSP Thunderbolts v Politeknik Malaysia (Kuantan).
GIRLS' JHL -- Friday: Group A: Selangor Girls v Tun Hussein Onn (Ministry of Education), UniKL Young Guns v Southern Girls (National Stadium Pitch II, 7pm), SSTMI Thunderbolts v SMK Za'ba (SSTMI, 7pm)
SUNDAY: UniKL Young Guns v Tun Hussein Onn (National Stadium Pitch I), Selangor Girls v Southern Girls (Ministry of Education).
NOTE: Matches start at 5pm unless stated.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI TNDER' 7 7 0 0 34 9 21
SSP-MSP-TNDER' 7 5 1 1 34 12 16
UNIKL YOUNG GUNS 8 5 1 2 23 16 16
BJSS TNDER' 7 5 0 2 25 13 15
POLITEKNIK 8 3 1 4 13 15 10
OLAK TIGERS 8 3 1 4 20 27 10
SMKDBL YOUNG GUNS 8 2 1 5 15 20 7
PJCC 7 2 0 5 9 15 6
NURINSAFI 7 1 2 4 11 31 5
SSTMI JRS 7 0 1 6 6 32 1
But the League title will only be decided Friday when double champions SSTMI Thunderbolts and SSP-MSP Thunderbolts play in Kuantan.
The other Thunderbolts qualified for the knock-out are Bukit Jalil Sports School.
SSTMI have been under the Tenaga Nasional sponsored and run Thunderbolts programme for the last 10 years and have nailed four consecutive doubles thus far.
However, Pahang Sports School and BJSS only came under Thunderbolts this season but have shown tremendous progress.
UniKL is the lone lion, but will find it hard to defend their two slivers won last season.
The fourth Thunderbolts, Anderson, are playing in Group B of Division Two and after 16 points from seven matches they too look set to play in the TNB Cup quarter-finals.
The Division Two format is a little complicated as two teams each from the three groups will play another round divided into two groups and the top-two teams qualify for the quarter-finals.
SSP-MSP Thunderbolts received a big blow to their maiden title quest when they were held to a 3-3 draw by Olak Tigers on Wednesday.
Now SSP-MSP must beat SSTMI today, then hope UniKL Young Guns too beat SSTMI on Sunday -- and SSP-MSP beats Politeknik on Sunday to lay their hands on the League title.
For SSTMI to claim their fifth consecutive League title, all they have to do is beat SSP-MSP today -- which is an easier passage.
The Girls JHL, with 14 teams divided into two groups, starts Friday.
FRIDAY -- Boys' JHL: Division One: SSP-MSP Thunderbolts v SSTMI Thunderbolts (Kuantan), SSTMI Juniors v PJCC (SSTMI), BJSS Thunderbolts v Nur Insafi (National Stadium).
Division Two: Group A: Azlan Shah Science v Perlis Young Lions Jnrs (K. Kangsar), Kedah Jnrs v Matri (Sg Petani); Group C: Malacca Hurricanes v MSN-PHT (Malacca), TBSS Tampin v SM Sains Johor (Seremban II).
SATURDAY: Division Two: Group A: USM Penang v Azlan Shah Science (Sg Petani); Group C: MSN-PHT v Sabah Sports School (Malacca Pitch II), Malacca Hurricanes v Pahang Hockey Academy (Malacca Pitch I), SMKDBL Jnrs v TBSS Tampin (Batu Pahat).
SUNDAY: UniKL Young Guns v SSTMI Thunderbolts (National Stadium Pitch II), SSTMI Juniors v Nur Insafi (STMI), SMKDBL Young Guns v PJCC (Batu Pahat), Olak Tigers v BJSS Thunderbolts (Tun Razak), SSP-MSP Thunderbolts v Politeknik Malaysia (Kuantan).
GIRLS' JHL -- Friday: Group A: Selangor Girls v Tun Hussein Onn (Ministry of Education), UniKL Young Guns v Southern Girls (National Stadium Pitch II, 7pm), SSTMI Thunderbolts v SMK Za'ba (SSTMI, 7pm)
SUNDAY: UniKL Young Guns v Tun Hussein Onn (National Stadium Pitch I), Selangor Girls v Southern Girls (Ministry of Education).
NOTE: Matches start at 5pm unless stated.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI TNDER' 7 7 0 0 34 9 21
SSP-MSP-TNDER' 7 5 1 1 34 12 16
UNIKL YOUNG GUNS 8 5 1 2 23 16 16
BJSS TNDER' 7 5 0 2 25 13 15
POLITEKNIK 8 3 1 4 13 15 10
OLAK TIGERS 8 3 1 4 20 27 10
SMKDBL YOUNG GUNS 8 2 1 5 15 20 7
PJCC 7 2 0 5 9 15 6
NURINSAFI 7 1 2 4 11 31 5
SSTMI JRS 7 0 1 6 6 32 1
Sunday, February 14, 2016
SSP-MSP Thunderbolts on course ...
SSP-MSP Thunderbolts did just enough to collect three points to keep their title hopes alive when they edged SMKDBL Young Guns 3-2 in Division One of the Junior Hockey League yesterday.
The Pahang Sports School were a jaded side after a two-week break, but the three points were a welcome relief.
Coach Sufian Mohamed said: "We played well below our capabilities and I believe it was because of the long lay-off. I am not happy with the way they played, but the three points keep us in the hunt for our maiden title."
It will not be easy for SSP-MSP-Thunderbolts as they still have double champions SSTMI Thunderbolts to play.
"I'm more worried about our Wednesday game against Olak Tigers as we need to buck up fast and win that match before we can plan for the SSTMI game on Friday," said Sufian.
Kamil Yusop gave SSP-MSP-Thunderbolts the lead off an 18th minute field goal, but SMKDBL Young Guns equalised off Makmurmasuha Faisal in the 25th minute.
Pahang re-took the lead off Kamil Yusop in the 57th minute only to see SMKDBL Young Guns equalise again off Syazwan Shah in the 60th minute. However, Idris Samad made sure the three points with a 63rd minute penalty corner drive.
In another Division One match, UniKL Young Guns finally fired on all cylinders to beat Nur Insafi 7-0 to place one foot in the TNB Cup quarter-finals.
At the tail-end of the League four teams are battling for three quarter-finals slot with SSTMI Thunderbolts cementing theirs on 21 points and one match in hand.
The four are UniKL Young Guns, SSP-MSP Thunderbolts, BJSS Thunderbolts and Politeknik Malaysia.
RESULTS -- Division One: SSP-MSP-Thunderbolts 3 SMKDBL Young Guns 2, Nur Insafi 0 UniKL Young Guns 7, Politeknik 2 PJCC 1.
Division Two: Group A: MSS Kedah 5 Perlis Young Lions Jnrs 2, MCKK 0 Penang-USM 5; Group B: MISCF-UFL 3 STAR 3, MSSWPKL 2 Felda Juniors 0, Anderson PHA 3 BJSS Juniors 4; Group C: Datuk Taha 1 Malacca Young Hurricanes 2, SM Sains Johor 0 Pahang Hockey Academy 1 (match abandoned after nine minutes due to rain), Sabah Sports School 3 Malacca High Hercules 3.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI TNDER' 7 7 0 0 34 9 21
UNIKL YOUNG GUNS 8 5 1 2 23 16 16
SSP-MSP-TNDER' 6 5 0 1 31 9 15
BJSS TNDER' 6 4 0 2 21 11 12
POLITEKNIK 7 3 1 3 11 11 10
OLAK TIGERS 7 3 0 4 17 24 9
SMKDBL YOUNG GUNS 8 2 1 5 15 20 7
PJCC 7 2 0 5 9 15 6
NURINSAFI 7 1 2 4 11 31 5
SSTMI JRS 7 0 1 6 6 32 1
The Pahang Sports School were a jaded side after a two-week break, but the three points were a welcome relief.
Coach Sufian Mohamed said: "We played well below our capabilities and I believe it was because of the long lay-off. I am not happy with the way they played, but the three points keep us in the hunt for our maiden title."
It will not be easy for SSP-MSP-Thunderbolts as they still have double champions SSTMI Thunderbolts to play.
"I'm more worried about our Wednesday game against Olak Tigers as we need to buck up fast and win that match before we can plan for the SSTMI game on Friday," said Sufian.
Kamil Yusop gave SSP-MSP-Thunderbolts the lead off an 18th minute field goal, but SMKDBL Young Guns equalised off Makmurmasuha Faisal in the 25th minute.
Pahang re-took the lead off Kamil Yusop in the 57th minute only to see SMKDBL Young Guns equalise again off Syazwan Shah in the 60th minute. However, Idris Samad made sure the three points with a 63rd minute penalty corner drive.
In another Division One match, UniKL Young Guns finally fired on all cylinders to beat Nur Insafi 7-0 to place one foot in the TNB Cup quarter-finals.
At the tail-end of the League four teams are battling for three quarter-finals slot with SSTMI Thunderbolts cementing theirs on 21 points and one match in hand.
The four are UniKL Young Guns, SSP-MSP Thunderbolts, BJSS Thunderbolts and Politeknik Malaysia.
RESULTS -- Division One: SSP-MSP-Thunderbolts 3 SMKDBL Young Guns 2, Nur Insafi 0 UniKL Young Guns 7, Politeknik 2 PJCC 1.
Division Two: Group A: MSS Kedah 5 Perlis Young Lions Jnrs 2, MCKK 0 Penang-USM 5; Group B: MISCF-UFL 3 STAR 3, MSSWPKL 2 Felda Juniors 0, Anderson PHA 3 BJSS Juniors 4; Group C: Datuk Taha 1 Malacca Young Hurricanes 2, SM Sains Johor 0 Pahang Hockey Academy 1 (match abandoned after nine minutes due to rain), Sabah Sports School 3 Malacca High Hercules 3.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI TNDER' 7 7 0 0 34 9 21
UNIKL YOUNG GUNS 8 5 1 2 23 16 16
SSP-MSP-TNDER' 6 5 0 1 31 9 15
BJSS TNDER' 6 4 0 2 21 11 12
POLITEKNIK 7 3 1 3 11 11 10
OLAK TIGERS 7 3 0 4 17 24 9
SMKDBL YOUNG GUNS 8 2 1 5 15 20 7
PJCC 7 2 0 5 9 15 6
NURINSAFI 7 1 2 4 11 31 5
SSTMI JRS 7 0 1 6 6 32 1
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Skipper Aliff saves SSTMI Thunderbolts
DOUBLE champions SSTMI Thunderbolts were saved the blushes when their skipper Aliff Syazwan delivered in their 2-0 win against Politeknik Malaysia in Division One of the Junior Hockey League Saturday.
The captain led by example to score two penalty corner goals in the fifth and 47th minutes to beat Politeknik in an otherwise close contest.
SSTMI coach Wan Roslan Rahman attributed the low scoring to a gruelling match against BJSS Thunderbolts on Friday, where they only won 6-5.
"My players looked tired after the 6-5 encounter against BJSS on Friday but luckily, our penalty corners helped us against Politeknik.
"Now, even though we have a 21 points from seven matches, our next two games against SSP-MSP (Thunderbolts) and UniKL (Young Guns) are crucial as we can only afford to drop one match to retain our League title," said Wan Roslan.
In another Division one match BJSS Thunderbolts hammered SSTMI Juniors 5-0 to keep their sights on playing in the TNB Cup quarter-finals.
The BJSS goals were scored by Arif Sabron (22nd, 62nd), Fahmi Zaharman (24th), Hafiizhuddin Zaidi (35th) and Noor Firdaus Rosdi (70th).
RESULTS -- Division One: SSTMI Juniors 0 BJSS Thunderbolt 5, Politeknik Malaysia 0 SSTMI Thunderbolts 2.
Division Two – Group A: MATRI 5 SM Sains Raja Tun Azlan Shah 1, KHA Kedah Juniors 0 MCKK 3.
Group B: Anderson Thunderbolt 2 BJSS Juniors 2, MISCF-UFL 3 MSNPK-ILHC 4.
Group C: SM Sains Johor 1 MSNT-PHT 4; SMK Dato Bentara Luar Juniors 3 Akademi Hoki Pahang 1.
SUNDAY -- Division One: SSP-MSP-Thunderbolts v SMKDBL Young Guns (Kuantan), Nur Insafi v UniKL Young Guns (Sg Petani), Politeknik v PJCC (Taman Daya, 7pm).
Division Two: Group A: MSS Kedah v Perlis Young Lions Jnrs (Pdg Serai), MCKK v Penang-USM (K. Kangsar); Group B: MISCF-UFL v STAR (KLHA), MSSWPKL v Felda Juniors (Ministry of Education), Anderson PHA v BJSS Juniors (Azlan Shah); Group C: Datuk Taha v Malacca Young Hurricanes (Seremban II), SM Sains Johor v Pahang Hockey Academy (batu Pahat), Sabah Sports School v Malacca High Hercules (Malacca).
Note: Matches start at 5pm unless stated.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI TNDER' 7 7 0 0 34 9 21
UNIKL YOUNG GUNS 7 4 1 2 16 16 13
SSP-MSP-TNDER' 5 4 0 1 28 7 12
BJSS TNDER' 6 4 0 2 21 11 12
OLAK TIGERS 7 3 0 4 17 24 9
POLITEKNIK 6 2 1 3 9 10 7
SMKDBL YOUNG GUNS 7 2 1 4 13 17 7
PJCC 6 2 0 4 8 13 6
NURINSAFI 6 1 2 3 11 24 5
SSTMI JRS 7 0 1 6 6 32 1
The captain led by example to score two penalty corner goals in the fifth and 47th minutes to beat Politeknik in an otherwise close contest.
SSTMI coach Wan Roslan Rahman attributed the low scoring to a gruelling match against BJSS Thunderbolts on Friday, where they only won 6-5.
"My players looked tired after the 6-5 encounter against BJSS on Friday but luckily, our penalty corners helped us against Politeknik.
"Now, even though we have a 21 points from seven matches, our next two games against SSP-MSP (Thunderbolts) and UniKL (Young Guns) are crucial as we can only afford to drop one match to retain our League title," said Wan Roslan.
In another Division one match BJSS Thunderbolts hammered SSTMI Juniors 5-0 to keep their sights on playing in the TNB Cup quarter-finals.
The BJSS goals were scored by Arif Sabron (22nd, 62nd), Fahmi Zaharman (24th), Hafiizhuddin Zaidi (35th) and Noor Firdaus Rosdi (70th).
RESULTS -- Division One: SSTMI Juniors 0 BJSS Thunderbolt 5, Politeknik Malaysia 0 SSTMI Thunderbolts 2.
Division Two – Group A: MATRI 5 SM Sains Raja Tun Azlan Shah 1, KHA Kedah Juniors 0 MCKK 3.
Group B: Anderson Thunderbolt 2 BJSS Juniors 2, MISCF-UFL 3 MSNPK-ILHC 4.
Group C: SM Sains Johor 1 MSNT-PHT 4; SMK Dato Bentara Luar Juniors 3 Akademi Hoki Pahang 1.
SUNDAY -- Division One: SSP-MSP-Thunderbolts v SMKDBL Young Guns (Kuantan), Nur Insafi v UniKL Young Guns (Sg Petani), Politeknik v PJCC (Taman Daya, 7pm).
Division Two: Group A: MSS Kedah v Perlis Young Lions Jnrs (Pdg Serai), MCKK v Penang-USM (K. Kangsar); Group B: MISCF-UFL v STAR (KLHA), MSSWPKL v Felda Juniors (Ministry of Education), Anderson PHA v BJSS Juniors (Azlan Shah); Group C: Datuk Taha v Malacca Young Hurricanes (Seremban II), SM Sains Johor v Pahang Hockey Academy (batu Pahat), Sabah Sports School v Malacca High Hercules (Malacca).
Note: Matches start at 5pm unless stated.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI TNDER' 7 7 0 0 34 9 21
UNIKL YOUNG GUNS 7 4 1 2 16 16 13
SSP-MSP-TNDER' 5 4 0 1 28 7 12
BJSS TNDER' 6 4 0 2 21 11 12
OLAK TIGERS 7 3 0 4 17 24 9
POLITEKNIK 6 2 1 3 9 10 7
SMKDBL YOUNG GUNS 7 2 1 4 13 17 7
PJCC 6 2 0 4 8 13 6
NURINSAFI 6 1 2 3 11 24 5
SSTMI JRS 7 0 1 6 6 32 1
Rahim: A passionate player and oficial
FORMER national hockey defender Abdul Rahim Ahmad passed away yesterday at the age of 59, fondly remembered by the hockey family as a helpful administrator, and a hard-tackling player during his hey-days.
Rahim was a member of the 1982 Bombay World Cup, and also helped Malaysia win bronze in the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi.
The stout defender started off by playing in the 1979 Jakarta Sea Games where Malaysia won gold, and retired with 62 caps. He turned out for Selangor from 1974 to 1992, and has also played for Perak in the Razak Cup.
Rahim comes from a well-known hockey family, as his brothers Amir Fuad and Mohamed Yazid are also former national players.
The Klang Municipal Council health officer was also a former vice-president of the Selangor HA, and an active Liaison Officer for many years at the Azlan Shah Cup.
Rahim's last two assignments were helping to run the media centre at the Sultan of Johor Cup (SOJC), and then the Junior Asia Cup in Kuantan.
Always passionate about the sport, Rahim once lamented about the lack of tournaments for the women.
"The men have many tournaments, local and overseas, to play every year but I pity the women who only have the Sea Games to look forward to. Maybe there should be a women's Azlan Shah Cup, and a women's SOJC in the near future to make them better players," said Rahim at the SOJC last year.
Rahim's wish might just come true as the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) Competitions Committee have said that they will help any state which wants to host a women's SOJC and Azlan Shah Cup.
Friday, February 12, 2016
UniKL edge PJCC 2-1; SSTMI 6 BJSS 5
UNIKL Young Guns came back from a goal down to edge Petaling Jaya City Council (PJCC) 2-1 in Division One of the Junior Hockey League Friday.
It was an important come-back because the three points has placed UniKL in a good position to finish among the top-four and play in the TNB Cup quarter-finals.
PJCC took the lead off Raihan Romli in the 10th minute, but UniKL's drag flicker Khairulamirin Jalil equalised in the 45th and then claimed the winner in the 47th minute.
Double champions SSTMI Thunderbolts were given the fight of their lives by BJSS Thunderbolts before winning 6-5 in another Division One match. But Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak) Tigers suffered a set-back in their quarter-finals quest when they lost 5-3 to Nur Insafi.
"This was one of our worst game this season but we still claimed an important victory thanks to our drag flicker Khairulamirin. Khairul is a very good penalty corner flicker but he still does not have the self confidence yet. Once he gets it, he will be among the best in the country," said UniKL coach I. Vickneswaran.
UniKL play Nur Insafi next, and a win will cement their last eight quest.
"Nur Insafi, even though languishing at the bottom of the pool, can't be taken lightly. We will have to play better hockey than today to beat them. That match will be like a final for us, as it will decide our destiny. After that we play the toughest match of the season which is against champions elect SSTMI Thunderbolts," said Vickneswaran.
RESULTS -- Division One: SSTMI Thunderbolts 6 BJSS Thunderbolts 5, PJCC 1 UniKL Young Guns 2, Nurinsafi 5 OLAK Tigers 3, SMKDBL Young Guns 3 SSTMI Juniors 1.
Division Two: Group A: MSN-PHP Perlis Young Lion Juniors 4 MSS Kedah 0.
Group B: MSSWPKL 3 STAR 2, Felda Juniors 2 Anderson Thunderbolts 5, MSNPK-ILHC 1 Anderson PHA 5.
Group C: TBSS Tampin 1 Malacca High School 4, Sabah Sports School x Young Hurricanes x, SMKDBL Juniors 3 MSNT-PHT 1.
SATURDAY -- Division One: SSTMI Juniors v BJSS Thunderbolt (SSTMI), Politeknik Malaysia v SSTMI Thunderbolts (Taman Daya).
Division Two – Group A: MATRI v SM Sains Raja Tun Azlan Shah (Kangar), KHA Kedah Juniors v MCKK (Sg Petani). Group B: Anderson Thunderbolt v BJSS Juniors (Azlan Shah), MISCF-UFL v MSNPK/ILHC (KLHA Stadium).
Group C: SM Sains Johor v MSNT-PHT (Batu Pahat, 3.0pm); SMK Dato Bentara Luar Juniors v Akademi Hoki Pahang (Batu Pahat), SMK Dato Taha v Young Hurricanes Malacca (Seremban II).
Note: Matches start at 5pm unless stated.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI TNDER' 6 6 0 0 32 9 18
UNIKL YOUNG GUNS 7 4 1 2 16 16 13
SSP-MSP-TNDER' 5 4 0 1 28 7 12
BJSS TNDER' 5 3 0 2 16 11 9
OLAK TIGERS 7 3 0 4 17 24 9
POLITEKNIK 5 2 1 2 9 8 7
SMKDBL YOUNG GUNS 7 2 1 4 13 17 7
PJCC 6 2 0 4 8 13 6
NURINSAFI 6 1 2 3 11 24 5
SSTMI JRS 6 0 1 5 6 27 1
It was an important come-back because the three points has placed UniKL in a good position to finish among the top-four and play in the TNB Cup quarter-finals.
PJCC took the lead off Raihan Romli in the 10th minute, but UniKL's drag flicker Khairulamirin Jalil equalised in the 45th and then claimed the winner in the 47th minute.
Double champions SSTMI Thunderbolts were given the fight of their lives by BJSS Thunderbolts before winning 6-5 in another Division One match. But Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak) Tigers suffered a set-back in their quarter-finals quest when they lost 5-3 to Nur Insafi.
"This was one of our worst game this season but we still claimed an important victory thanks to our drag flicker Khairulamirin. Khairul is a very good penalty corner flicker but he still does not have the self confidence yet. Once he gets it, he will be among the best in the country," said UniKL coach I. Vickneswaran.
UniKL play Nur Insafi next, and a win will cement their last eight quest.
"Nur Insafi, even though languishing at the bottom of the pool, can't be taken lightly. We will have to play better hockey than today to beat them. That match will be like a final for us, as it will decide our destiny. After that we play the toughest match of the season which is against champions elect SSTMI Thunderbolts," said Vickneswaran.
RESULTS -- Division One: SSTMI Thunderbolts 6 BJSS Thunderbolts 5, PJCC 1 UniKL Young Guns 2, Nurinsafi 5 OLAK Tigers 3, SMKDBL Young Guns 3 SSTMI Juniors 1.
Division Two: Group A: MSN-PHP Perlis Young Lion Juniors 4 MSS Kedah 0.
Group B: MSSWPKL 3 STAR 2, Felda Juniors 2 Anderson Thunderbolts 5, MSNPK-ILHC 1 Anderson PHA 5.
Group C: TBSS Tampin 1 Malacca High School 4, Sabah Sports School x Young Hurricanes x, SMKDBL Juniors 3 MSNT-PHT 1.
SATURDAY -- Division One: SSTMI Juniors v BJSS Thunderbolt (SSTMI), Politeknik Malaysia v SSTMI Thunderbolts (Taman Daya).
Division Two – Group A: MATRI v SM Sains Raja Tun Azlan Shah (Kangar), KHA Kedah Juniors v MCKK (Sg Petani). Group B: Anderson Thunderbolt v BJSS Juniors (Azlan Shah), MISCF-UFL v MSNPK/ILHC (KLHA Stadium).
Group C: SM Sains Johor v MSNT-PHT (Batu Pahat, 3.0pm); SMK Dato Bentara Luar Juniors v Akademi Hoki Pahang (Batu Pahat), SMK Dato Taha v Young Hurricanes Malacca (Seremban II).
Note: Matches start at 5pm unless stated.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI TNDER' 6 6 0 0 32 9 18
UNIKL YOUNG GUNS 7 4 1 2 16 16 13
SSP-MSP-TNDER' 5 4 0 1 28 7 12
BJSS TNDER' 5 3 0 2 16 11 9
OLAK TIGERS 7 3 0 4 17 24 9
POLITEKNIK 5 2 1 2 9 8 7
SMKDBL YOUNG GUNS 7 2 1 4 13 17 7
PJCC 6 2 0 4 8 13 6
NURINSAFI 6 1 2 3 11 24 5
SSTMI JRS 6 0 1 5 6 27 1
Thursday, February 11, 2016
JHL: Double whammy for Olak Tigers
OLD La Sallians of Klang (Olak) Tigers received a double blow when two players met with an accident, while two others are suspended leading to the Division One match against Nur Insafi Friday.
Olak are one of the pioneer teams of the Junior Hockey League and were on an upward trend in the last two matches where they beat SMKDBL Young Guns 5-4, Politeknik 3-2 and SSTMI Juniors 2-0 to be placed in the middle of the table on nine points.
"Two of my players, who hail from Sabah, were on their way to training at the Tun Razak Stadium on Wednesday when their motorbike met with an accident. Dodi Musa fractured his hand, while goalkeeper Adrian Andy received cuts on both hands.
"They will be out for a few matches, and to compound matters, two of our players are suspended due to cards for the match against Nur Insafi," said Olak team manager Joseph de Silva.
The suspended players are Mirza Izzuddin and Mahathir Rathuwan.
Nur Insafi are second from the bottom as they have only two draws after five matces.
"We are fighting to finish fourth and qualify for the quarter-finals of the TNB Cup and were looking forward to three points tomorrow (today) but will be playing with 15 players instead," said De Silva.
However, Olak will be playing with extra jest: "The team has been together for the past two months and after some hiccups in the earlier matches they had started to get a good understanding. The players have pledged to give their best and win the match for their injured friends."
Olak are tied on nine points with BJSS Thunderbolts, who have a better goal average.
BJSS Thunderbolts will also be involved in a fight of their lives as they meet double champions SSTMI Thunderbolts Friday. SSTMI have yet to drop a point after five matches and look good to seal their fifth consecutive League title.
But SSTMI will be without their skipper and penalty corner ace Aliff Syazwan today, due to a strained elbow.
“He is a very influential player in the team and his absence against BJSS will be greatly felt. But I can still count on the forwards who have been playing extremely well in getting the goals. We have scored 26 goals so far and that is a good sign indeed,” said SSTMI manager Adam Izamry.
FRIDAY -- Division One: SSTMI Thunderbolts v BJSS Thunderbolts (SSTMI), PJCC v UniKL Young Guns (National Stadium Pitch II), Nurinsafi v OLAK Tigers (Sg Petani), SMKDBL Young Guns v SSTMI Juniors (Batu Pahat).
Division Two: Group A: MSN-PHP Perlis Young Lion Juniors v MSS Kedah (Kangar).
Group B: MSSWPKL v STAR (Ministry of Education), Felda Juniors v Anderson Thunderbolts (Azlan Shah, Pitch 1); MSNPK-ILHC v Anderson PHA (Azlan Shah, Pitch 2).
Group C: TBSS Tampin v Malacca High School (Seremban II); Sabah Sports School v Young Hurricanes (malacca, 7.0pm); SMKDBL Juniors v MSNT-PHT (Batu Pahat, 3.0pm).
Note: Matches start at 5pm unless stated.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI TNDER' 5 5 0 0 26 4 15
SSP-MSP-TNDER' 5 4 0 1 28 7 12
UNIKL YOUNG GUNS 6 3 1 2 14 15 10
BJSS TNDER' 4 3 0 1 11 5 9
OLAK TIGERS 6 3 0 3 14 19 9
POLITEKNIK 5 2 1 2 9 8 7
PJCC 5 2 0 3 7 11 6
SMKDBL YOUNG GUNS 6 1 1 4 10 16 4
NURINSAFI 5 0 2 3 6 21 2
SSTMI JRS 5 0 1 4 5 24 1
Olak are one of the pioneer teams of the Junior Hockey League and were on an upward trend in the last two matches where they beat SMKDBL Young Guns 5-4, Politeknik 3-2 and SSTMI Juniors 2-0 to be placed in the middle of the table on nine points.
"Two of my players, who hail from Sabah, were on their way to training at the Tun Razak Stadium on Wednesday when their motorbike met with an accident. Dodi Musa fractured his hand, while goalkeeper Adrian Andy received cuts on both hands.
"They will be out for a few matches, and to compound matters, two of our players are suspended due to cards for the match against Nur Insafi," said Olak team manager Joseph de Silva.
The suspended players are Mirza Izzuddin and Mahathir Rathuwan.
Nur Insafi are second from the bottom as they have only two draws after five matces.
"We are fighting to finish fourth and qualify for the quarter-finals of the TNB Cup and were looking forward to three points tomorrow (today) but will be playing with 15 players instead," said De Silva.
However, Olak will be playing with extra jest: "The team has been together for the past two months and after some hiccups in the earlier matches they had started to get a good understanding. The players have pledged to give their best and win the match for their injured friends."
Olak are tied on nine points with BJSS Thunderbolts, who have a better goal average.
BJSS Thunderbolts will also be involved in a fight of their lives as they meet double champions SSTMI Thunderbolts Friday. SSTMI have yet to drop a point after five matches and look good to seal their fifth consecutive League title.
But SSTMI will be without their skipper and penalty corner ace Aliff Syazwan today, due to a strained elbow.
“He is a very influential player in the team and his absence against BJSS will be greatly felt. But I can still count on the forwards who have been playing extremely well in getting the goals. We have scored 26 goals so far and that is a good sign indeed,” said SSTMI manager Adam Izamry.
FRIDAY -- Division One: SSTMI Thunderbolts v BJSS Thunderbolts (SSTMI), PJCC v UniKL Young Guns (National Stadium Pitch II), Nurinsafi v OLAK Tigers (Sg Petani), SMKDBL Young Guns v SSTMI Juniors (Batu Pahat).
Division Two: Group A: MSN-PHP Perlis Young Lion Juniors v MSS Kedah (Kangar).
Group B: MSSWPKL v STAR (Ministry of Education), Felda Juniors v Anderson Thunderbolts (Azlan Shah, Pitch 1); MSNPK-ILHC v Anderson PHA (Azlan Shah, Pitch 2).
Group C: TBSS Tampin v Malacca High School (Seremban II); Sabah Sports School v Young Hurricanes (malacca, 7.0pm); SMKDBL Juniors v MSNT-PHT (Batu Pahat, 3.0pm).
Note: Matches start at 5pm unless stated.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI TNDER' 5 5 0 0 26 4 15
SSP-MSP-TNDER' 5 4 0 1 28 7 12
UNIKL YOUNG GUNS 6 3 1 2 14 15 10
BJSS TNDER' 4 3 0 1 11 5 9
OLAK TIGERS 6 3 0 3 14 19 9
POLITEKNIK 5 2 1 2 9 8 7
PJCC 5 2 0 3 7 11 6
SMKDBL YOUNG GUNS 6 1 1 4 10 16 4
NURINSAFI 5 0 2 3 6 21 2
SSTMI JRS 5 0 1 4 5 24 1
Monday, February 1, 2016
Yo-Yo UniKL Young Guns...
UNIKL Young Guns were the team to beat last season, but this year, they have hit turbulent waters after just six matches in Division One of the Junior Hockey League.
From double silver medallists, the Young Guns are heading towards an empty season -- all due to overconfidence.
UniKL manager Faiz Isa said: "Preparation wise, this team has received the best compared to last season as we started very early, in fact, they have been playing and training together for almost nine months."
But the results have been akin to a yo-yo.
They started off by being whitewashed 1-6 by BJSS Thunderbolts, and have since lost 1-0 to Politeknik and drew 2-2 with the weakest Division One side -- SSTMI Juniors.
Before holding UniKL to a 2-2 draw, SSTMI Juniors were on a four-match losing streak and had let in 22 goals.
"I still can't come to grips with this draw as we played the bottom of the table team after beating number two SSP-MSP Thunderbolts 3-2 and could not seal three points.
"Its all due to overconfidence and also I don't see much promise in many players we have now. In previous UniKL teams you could pick out five or six players who were above the rest and they went on to represent the country in the Junior World Cup. But this team, I have yet to see any promising players."
UniKL, formed in 2009, has developed a string of national players for the men's team, and now will contribute towards the development of women players.
"UniKL will field a girls team in the WJHL and selections are ongoing right now. We have always been actively developing the men's hockey, and with this move, we hope to help women's hockey grow as well," said Faiz.
The closing date to register teams for the inaugural WJHL is Feb 5, and about 10 teams are in the midst of scouting for players.
Meanwhile four Malaysians have been appointed to officiate at the 12th South Asian Games hockey tournament in Guwhati, Assam, on Feb 5 to 14.
Daljit Singh is the Tournament Director, while Amarjit Singh the Umpires Manager.
Iskandar Rashdan and K. Illango will be the neutral umpires.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI TNDER' 5 5 0 0 26 4 15
SSP-MSP-TNDER' 5 4 0 1 28 7 12
UNIKL YOUNG GUNS 6 3 1 2 14 15 10
BJSS TNDER' 4 3 0 1 11 5 9
OLAK TIGERS 6 3 0 3 14 19 9
POLITEKNIK 5 2 1 2 9 8 7
PJCC 5 2 0 3 7 11 6
SMKDBL YOUNG GUNS 6 1 1 4 10 16 4
NURINSAFI 5 0 2 3 6 21 2
SSTMI JRS 5 0 1 4 5 24 1
From double silver medallists, the Young Guns are heading towards an empty season -- all due to overconfidence.
UniKL manager Faiz Isa said: "Preparation wise, this team has received the best compared to last season as we started very early, in fact, they have been playing and training together for almost nine months."
But the results have been akin to a yo-yo.
They started off by being whitewashed 1-6 by BJSS Thunderbolts, and have since lost 1-0 to Politeknik and drew 2-2 with the weakest Division One side -- SSTMI Juniors.
Before holding UniKL to a 2-2 draw, SSTMI Juniors were on a four-match losing streak and had let in 22 goals.
"I still can't come to grips with this draw as we played the bottom of the table team after beating number two SSP-MSP Thunderbolts 3-2 and could not seal three points.
"Its all due to overconfidence and also I don't see much promise in many players we have now. In previous UniKL teams you could pick out five or six players who were above the rest and they went on to represent the country in the Junior World Cup. But this team, I have yet to see any promising players."
UniKL, formed in 2009, has developed a string of national players for the men's team, and now will contribute towards the development of women players.
"UniKL will field a girls team in the WJHL and selections are ongoing right now. We have always been actively developing the men's hockey, and with this move, we hope to help women's hockey grow as well," said Faiz.
The closing date to register teams for the inaugural WJHL is Feb 5, and about 10 teams are in the midst of scouting for players.
Meanwhile four Malaysians have been appointed to officiate at the 12th South Asian Games hockey tournament in Guwhati, Assam, on Feb 5 to 14.
Daljit Singh is the Tournament Director, while Amarjit Singh the Umpires Manager.
Iskandar Rashdan and K. Illango will be the neutral umpires.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI TNDER' 5 5 0 0 26 4 15
SSP-MSP-TNDER' 5 4 0 1 28 7 12
UNIKL YOUNG GUNS 6 3 1 2 14 15 10
BJSS TNDER' 4 3 0 1 11 5 9
OLAK TIGERS 6 3 0 3 14 19 9
POLITEKNIK 5 2 1 2 9 8 7
PJCC 5 2 0 3 7 11 6
SMKDBL YOUNG GUNS 6 1 1 4 10 16 4
NURINSAFI 5 0 2 3 6 21 2
SSTMI JRS 5 0 1 4 5 24 1
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