Wednesday, March 9, 2016

TNB CUP Semis, First Leg: BJSS 5 Anderson 3

LEAGUE champions SSTMI Thunderbolts edged SSP-MSP Thunderbolts 2-0 in the first leg semi-finals of the TNB Cup at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
  And at the Azlan Shah Stadium, BJSS Thunderbolts came back from being two goals down to beat Anderson Thunderbolts 5-3.
  The return leg will be on Friday, and both the semi-finals are still open affairs.
  For STMI, the goals were scored by Akhimullah Anuar (48th) and Aliff Syazwan (51st).
  "We were guilty of missing too many sitters and I believe SSP-MSP will make a strong comeback in the return leg. However, I believe my players are game for their fifth consecutive JHL double," said SSTMI coach Wan Roslan Rahman.
  As for BJSS, coach K. Rajan attributed the win to a strong personality.
  "We were guilty of missing too many chances in the frist haf, but my players kept calm and rose to the occassion in the second half. We need to play consistently in both halves of the return leg to make sure our final ticket," said Rajan.
   RESULTS -- TNB CUP Semi-finals, first leg: Anderson Thunderbolts 3 BJSS Thunderbolts 5, SSTMI Thunderbolts 2 SSP-MSP Thunderbolts 0.
  FRIDAY -- TNB CUP Semi-finals, second leg: BJSS Thunderbolts v Anderson Thunderbolts (National Stadium Pitch II, 5pm), SSP-MSSP Thunderbolts v SSTMI Thunderbolts (National Stadium Pitch II, 7pm).

Third Test: NZ 4 Malaysia 2

Malaysia lost their Third Test 4-2 to New Zealand in Tauranga Wednesday.
  The national players were beaten 4-2 in the First Test, but won the Second Test 3-2. They will play their final match against the Kiwis Thursday before heading for to Auckland to play two Test matches against South Korea.
   Fitri Saari and Rashid Baharom were on target for Malaysia.
  Malaysian Hockey Confederation technical director Terry Walsh watched the match and said the scoreline did not reflect the game.
  "NZ dominated the first quarter and scored a goal after two minutes. We made many careless errors and were nervy in our disposition. It was a positive decision by the coaches to switch strategies.
  "This allowed Malaysia control in the second half of the match. The players had a better mentality and approach in the last two quarters, which is one of the positives to take away from the match", said Walsh.
  "The goal is to keep developing. We believe this defeat provides many lessons and look forward to the last Test match with great enthusiasm. The matches have been of great quality, which is extremely good for player and team development".