Argentina beat Malaysia 3-2

OLYMPIC champions Argentina arrived in two batches Sunday and Monday, and on Tuesday they beat Malaysia 3-2 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
  But the International friendly almost turned into an international fist fight, as tempers flared when Malaysia equalised at 1-1.
  And after a few minutes of pushing and shoving, which included Argentina goalkeeper Juan Vivaldi and Malaysian Faizal Shaari the match resumed. 
  Showing very little jet-lag after a long haul flight across the globe, Argentina scored off Lucas Vila (19th 48th) and Gonzalo Peillat in the 46th.
   Nik Aiman Nik Rozemi (31st) and Azri Hassan (60th) scored for Malaysia.
   It was Malaysia who showed less urgency and missed sitters while the Olympic champions were deadly.
  Coach Stephen van Huizen's men will play another International Friendly against Argentina Wednesday before the final 18 are selected for the Azlan Shah Cup starting Saturday.
  The other teams in the Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh are Australia, England, India and Ireland.
  Malaysia open their campaign against Ireland and are expected to face a tough time in Ipoh playing against some of the beat teams in the world in preparation for the Commonwealth Games and then the Asian Games.

MHC: Competitions Committee retires its members...

THE Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) Competitions Committee on Monday 'retired' eight of its members and are looking for new blood for another term.
   Competitions Committee manager Brian Fernandez said he was instructed to write the thank you emails to all their members by chairman George Koshy.
  "The members were recruited for a one-year period, which expired on Feb 26 and so I was instructed by our chairman to send them emails informing them of the decision.
  "There is nothing controversial about the move, and its just a normal procedure which we have done before," said Brian.
  The members, who served for a year, said they only attended one meeting on June 10 last year.
  "We have also sent out emails to states to nominate new members who will be approved by our chairman.
  "The appointment is based on a zonal structure where northern, southern, central as well as Sabah and Sarawak representatives are invited to join," said Brian.

JHL: Division Three poser...

MALAYSIAN Hockey Confederation (MHC) competitions committee, in its last meeting, had decided to have a three division Junior Hockey League (JHL) this season.
  However, due to lack of entries, as many teams opted out -- the Competitions Committee decided to only hold a two division tournament.
  A few Competitions Committee members are baffled with the decision, as their last meeting was held on June 10, and even this year's JHL rules had a three division tournament (to be created).
  "So who decided to revoke the earlier decision, as the MHC Competitions Committee has not met since the last meeting in June 10, 2017?," questioned a member of the committee who declined to be named.
  Competitions Committee manager Brian Fernandez said: "We could not hold a three division tournament because of lack of entries, and also the JHL will take a break for the National Under-16, as well as the Youth Olympics to allow players from some teams to represent their states as well as the country.
  "Due to the prolonged tournament, it was decided that the JHL will not be held on a three division format as agreed earlier."
  When asked the date of their last meeting, Brian said it was sometime last year but he could not remember the month or date.
  "It was last year, but I can't remember the exact month or date. The information is in my office and I can only check it on Monday," said Brian.
  The Competitions Committee chairman is George Koshy, and a member said the last meeting he attended was in June 10, last year.

JHL: Malacca decline promotion...

THE Junior Hockey League (JHL) team managers meeting was held Saturday, and the Malacca Municipal Council (MBB) received the biggest shock when they received news of being promoted to Division One.
   JHL entries closed end of January, but until yesterday teams had yet to receive any news on the teams competing in Division One and Division Two.
  Malacca, who finished third in Division Two last season, were 'promoted' to Division One when Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) did not put up a team.
  Shocked Malacca team officials immediately declined the promotion, as they did not have the players to challenge Division One teams.
  The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) competitions committee then decided to promote Perlis, who finished fourth, and after much persuasion, Perlis agreed but are expected to face a tough time this season against the 'big guns' of JHL.
  There will be 10 teams in Division One, and 17 in three groups in Division Two.
  MHC decided to start the Division One matches on March 7, while the Division Two will start on March 28.
  Many team managers came out of the meeting room looking disturbed, because their questions were not answered, and they were brushed aside.
  "We were told not to make any media statements on the JHL team managers meeting or we will face disciplinary action from the MHC," said a manager who declined to be named.
  Many managers are not happy because until yesterday they still did not know which team is playing and where they will travel to.
  "Malacca received a shock when promoted because UniKL (who finished seventh in Division One last year) did not put up a team.
  "The questions that were asked were also brushed aside, and even though we have to submit our team lists by Monday, we have yet to receive the fixtures.
  "Since we have to travel all over during the JHL, giving us early information (like fixtures) would have made it easier to arrange for travel and accommodation if we need to stay overnight," said a manager who declined to be named.
  Four Thunderbolts teams, sponsored by Tenaga, and Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ)-Tigers, Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak), Perlis Lions, SSMS Resilient, Datuk Bentara Titanium and SSTMI Juniors will play in Division One.

UiTM lift President's Cup

KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) lived dangerously before edging Politeknik 4-2 in shoot-out to lift the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) President's Cup title Saturday.
  The match ended 1-1, when Politeknik's South Korean Oh Seyong shocked UiTM in the third minute with a field goal, but Azwar Rahman's 20th minute strike was enough to take the final to shoot-out.
  UiTM had trusted former women's national coach K. Gobinathan as their coach and he was delighted to take them into the Premier Division next season.
  "We had planned to win and play in the Premier Division next season and my players really did the university proud.
  "We had many on the injured list and that's why the final turned out to be our hardest game this season," said Gobinathan.
  UiTM kept a straight record to lift the League title, and even though they had to go into shoot-out for the President's Cup, Gobinathan was delighted.
  "We had trained for a shoot-out and it really helped. It was a tensed moment for us, but we achieved our target and that's what counts," said Gobinathan.
  In the bronze playoff, Nur Rahul Hrsikesa's solitary goal helped Kedah to beat Ipoh City Counil.
  President's Cup: Final -- UiTM 1 Politeknik 1 (UitM win 4-2 in shoot-out); Third-Fourth: Kedah 1 Ipoh City Counil 0.

Akmal's Lucky Strike for Ipoh...

KUALA LUMPUR: Akmal Tajuddin was the toast for Ipoh City Council in the President's Cup quarter-finals Tuesday, when he scored a last minute goal to beat Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) 4-3 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
  The Ipoh side will meet Divison One League champions Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM)-KPT in the semi-final Thursday.
  UiTM hammered Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Tigers 7-1 at the adjacent pitch.
  The SSTMI goals were scored by Shahhairul Rusyaidi (13th), Hanif Saad (29th), Sulaiman Razak (56th) and Akmal (60th).
  Ipoh got their goals off Hafizal Halmi (16th, 45th), Akmal Tajuddin (23rd).
  Ipoh City Council manager Azahari Effendy said: "We played without two key players in forward Soffian Kamaruddin and midfielder Heiry Pami as both are injured but we still went on to beat SSTMI.
  "We take on favourites UiTM for a place in the final, and I believe my players will give their best again," said Azahari.
  Kedah, with six foreign players, also advanced into the semi-finals by beating Penang Hockey Club 9-4 at the Sungai Petani Hockey Stadium.
  Kedah will face Politeknik-KPT in the other semi-finals.   
  PRESIDENTS CUP Q-finals -- KEDAH 9 PENANG HOCKEY CLUB 4; UITM-KPT 7 MBPJ TIGERS 1; SSTMI 3 IPOH CITY COUNCIL 4; POLITEKNIK-KPT 3 BJSS 2.
  WOMEN'S LEAGUE: MSN KEDAH 3 KL WIPERS 3, PENANG JUNIORS 2 TERENGGANU LADIES 7, BLUE WARRIORS 2 PKS UNITEN-KPT 2.

WOMEN'S STANDINGS  
                      P    W    D    L    F    A    Pts
PKS UNITEN-KPT        10    7    3    0    46    8    24
BLUE WARRIORS         10    7    3    0    45    9    24
TERENGGANU LADIES     9     6    2    1    33    11    20
KL WIPERS             10    2    2    6    10    40    8
MSN KEDAH              9    2    1    6    8    32    7
UITM                   9    2    0    7    12    24    6
PENANG JUNIORS         9    1    1    7    6    36    4

Selangor Under-16 trials..Postponed until further notice

 Postponed until further notice....

Makluman Awal Pemilihan U16 L& P Kebangsaan Pasukan Negeri Selangor

Pemilihan: *24 Feb 2018*
Tempat: *Stadium Hoki Pandamaran, Klang*
Masa: *3-7 ptg*

Lat. Pusat: *10-15 Mac 2018*
Game: *17-25 Mac 2018*

Van Huizen: No need to recall ex-internationals...

 PIC: From Left ... Shukri Mutalib, Stephen van Huizen and Razie Rahim.

PIC: From Left ... Stephen van Huizen,  Razie Rahim and Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan.

NATIONAL chief coach Stephen van Huizen has closed the door shut on ex-internationals, and prefers to bank on his tested players as well as four youth in a hectic hockey year.
  He feels the one-month Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) is not enough to gauge players, as they might have given their best for a short period only.
  "Well I know we have a very hectic year, with many tournaments and friendlies arranged, but I will stick with the best available in the country.
  "The 24 that I have are the best, and I also have four more young players in the back-up to promote if needed. In fact, after the two friendlies against Argentina I might name one or two young players to replace some injured seniors.
  "But there is no need for me to press the panic button and call ex-internationals," said van Huizen yesterday.
  He was speaking at a press conference arranged by Astro, who will telecast live matches of the Azlan Shah Cup on March 3-10.
  Malaysia will be up against World champions Australia, Olympic champions Argentina, Asia Cup champions India, England and Ireland in the Azlan Shah Cup.
  And two weeks later, its off to Gold Coast Australia for the Commonwealth Games (April 4-15) followed by the Asian Games (Aug 18-Sept 2), Asian Champions Trophy (Oct 18-28) and finally the World Cup (Nov 28-Dec 16).
  "Its a hectic year, and the main target is to win gold in the Asian Games and qualify for the Olympics so I will use all 24 Podium players as well as the four back up players and not recall ex-internationals who played in the MHL."
  The four back-up players are Najib Abu Hassan (TNB), Luqman Nul Hakim (Terengganu HT), Sufi Ismat (Terengganu HT) and Ashran Hamsani (Universiti KL).
  And with No 1 goalkeeper S. Kumar's doping case hearing yet to be fixed by the International Hockey Federation (FIH), van Huizen is training Junior World Cup goalkeeper Zaimi Mat Deris, alongside Hairi Abdul Rahman and Hafizuddin Othman.
  Among the ex-interantionals who played extremely well during the MHL were defender Baljit Singh (UniKL) and goalkeeper Roslan Jamaluddin (KLHC).

Singapore star fades away...

Singapore hockey star Surajan was like a ‘Don’, from the famous ‘The Godfather’ movie-sequels, very assertive in leadership, outstanding team player and, most importantly, very unassuming, off the field - JITA SINGH tells Suresh Nair

http://asiasamachar.com/2018/02/14/17786/

Paramalingam Trophy: Olak A champions again

From left -- MHC deputy president Datuk Dr S. Shamala, C. Paramalingam, Klang HA president Zulkifli Abbas, Olak (A) skipper Nizam Adha, Olak team manager Joseph de Silva.

OLD La Sallian Association of Klang (Olak) (A) defended their title in the Second Edition of the C. Paramalingam Trophy at the Pandamaran Stadium in Klang last weekend.
  The six-a side, which saw 10 teams competing, was organised by the Klang Disctict Hockey Association in honour of Olympian Paramalingam, 83.
  Paramalingam played for the country from 1956 to 1970.
  And in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, he scored nine goals and was one of the top scorers.
  He coached the National team for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and was the only Asian coach to guide the Asian All Star team. 
   And he is still actively involved in development around Klang.
  "This is a great honour for coach Paramalingam who has contributed much towards the sport from the 50s until today. The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) is always grateful to former players and coaches for their commitment," said MHC deputy president Datuk Dr S. Shamala who was present for the event.
  Olak A beat Selangor Sikhs 1-0 in the finals, while Olak (B) and Royal Klang Club finished third and fourth respectively.

TNB Cup: UniKL and Tenaga a step away...

TENAGA Nasional and Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) are just a step away from playing in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) TNB Cup final, provided they keep their feet firmly on the ground.
  In the first leg semifinals on Sunday, Tenaga edged Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club 3-2, while UniKL slayed Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) 4-1.
  KLHC won the Charity and Alagendra Cup, while THT are the League champions.
  UniKL and Tenaga need to maintain the grip in the second leg semifinals on Wednesday, to play in the final on Saturday.
  "As far as we are concerned the second leg will start at 0-0 and we are going to treat is as a totally new game altogether,” said UniKL coach Arul Selvaraj.
  “There is no such thing as trying to defend the three goal advantage, especially against a team like THT.
  “We will play the same way as we did in the first leg and prevent them from getting penalty corners where they are deadly.
  Arul said all his players were available for the second leg and yesterday was spent on trying out certain tactics to contain THT.
  And as far as KLHC coach Lim Chiow Chuan is concerned his team needs to display more consistency.
  “We played reasonably well in the first quarter, making good in roads into their semi circle and won four penalty corners,” said Chiow Chuan.
  “After that we got impatient and made errors in the midfield which Tenaga capitalised well with their counter attack game plan. 
  “Individual errors crept in and our game fell apart. However, we managed to regroup in The final quarter and played to our level. Credit to the players for their effort.”
  Chiow Chuan believes that his team will be able to overcome the one goal deficit on Wednesday.
  WEDNESDAY: TNB CUP SECOND LEG SEMIFINALS: Tenaga Nasional (3) v Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (2) (National Stadium Pitch II, 6pm), Universiti Kuala Lumpur (4) v Terengganu Hockey Team (1) (National Stadium Pitch II, 8.30pm).
  Note: First leg scores in parenthesis.

27 teams for Junior Hockey League

TWENTY SEVEN teams confirmed their entries for the Junior Hockey League (JHL) which will be held on Feb 24-May 5.

  However, Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) Competitions Committee manager Bryan Fernandez said even though the deadline was Friday, they will still accept more entries until Monday.

  "Yes, entries closed on Friday but we are giving more time for two more teams to get their registration in order. Last season the JHL saw 30 teams in action," said Bryan.

  Ten teams will play in Division One, while 17 in two groups in Division Two.

  Last season, 10 teams were in Division One while 20 teams were placed in three groups in Division Two.

  "We extended the deadline because some teams could not give us a concrete answer due to financial and other reasons. We will know for sure on Monday and decide on the grouping and format once the number is confirmed and a discussion held with our chairman George Koshy," said Bryan.

Lim Chiow Chuan: We need video umpiring..

PIC: Lim Chiow Chuan

KUALA Lumpur Hockey  Club (KLHC) coach Lim Chiow Chuan was fuming mad with the umpire after his side lost 2-1 to Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) on Friday.

  The defeat saw KLHC hand over their Legue title to THT, after a successful season where Chiow Chuan guided his side to the Charity Shield and the Alagendra Cup.

  "We failed to hold on to our title because of poor umpiring, something which could have been easily overcome if there was video umpiring for referrals.

  "Teams spend mega bucks by signing top players in the country as well as from overseas, but our hopes are blown away by poor umpiring.

  "I suggest the organisers (Malaysian Hockey Confederation) invest in video umpiring to be fair to teams which invest a lot in the MHL," said a red-faced Chiow Chuan.

  Chiow Chuan's men were leading THT 1-0 and a win would have assured them the League title, while THT only needed a draw to snatch the crown.

  And with seven minutes remaining in the match, KLHC were heading towards the title when 'the umpire made a mistake'.

  KLHC's Jang Jonghyun was entrusted with the free hit ball, but he was accused of delaying tactics by the umpire, who blew against the Korean.

  THT immediately took the opportunity to attack and Faizal Shaari equalised. And THT made sure the title was theirs when Argentinian Lopez Barreiros scored the second.

  "That was the turning point in our game. We had the title in our hands, but poor umpiring denied us glory. Many teams have invested heavily in the MHL, and I feel there must be video umpiring to make sure the right decisions are made in crucial matches," said Chiow Chuan.

MHL: Unpredictable TNB Cup semis...

MALAYSIA Hockey League (MHL) League champions Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) will square off against 'dreaded' opponent Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) in the two-leg TNB Cup semifinals starting Sunday.

  In the League, UniKL held THT 2-2 and then 1-1 -- in the home and away encounters.

 The other semifinals will be between Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) and Tenaga Nasional. This encounter is just as unpredictable as in the League, Tenaga upset KLHC 4-2 and then were whitewashed 4-0 in the return leg.

  UniKL are hoping for a third draw in the first leg semifinals, to keep their hopes alive of playing in the TNB Cup final.

 “We will adapt the approach tactically as we did in our two league matches, which is to push them hard and put them under constant pressure," said UniKL coach Arul Selvaraj.

  Arul's main concern is injuries as well as fatigue, as the second leg will be played on Wednesday.

  As it stands, import players goalkeeper David Harte (hamstring) and Kieren Govers sat out their final League match against TNB.

  THT coach Sarjit Singh is optimistic that his team is ready for another title.

  "I told my players before Friday (when they beat KLHC to the League title), that we must never end without a title this season and they delivered.

 "And the League title should be the tonic needed by my players to win both the semifinals and have a shot at winning their second title," said Sarjit.

  In the other semis, KLHC and Tenaga are expected to play it safe on Sunday.

  “The semis are a different ball game altogether. Stakes are higher and teams will step up their game. As such, chances are equal for all teams,” said KLHC coach Lim Chiow Chuan.

  “We can't say that we have better chances based on history. The 4-0 victory four days ago does not suggest our superiority because the match was a close affair even though the scoreline indicated otherwise.”

   Although KLHC lost the league title, Chiow Chuan feels his players are mentally strong to overcome the setback.

   SUNDAY -- TNB CUP FIRST LEG SEMIFINALS: Terengganu Hockey Team v Universiti Kuala Lumpur (National Stadium Pitch II, 6pm), Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club v Tenaga Nasional (National Stadium Pitch II, 8.30pm).

  WEDNESDAY: TNB CUP SECOND LEG SEMIFINALS: Tenaga Nasional v Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (National Stadium Pitch II, 6pm), Universiti Kuala Lumpur v Terengganu Hockey Team (National Stadium Pitch II, 8.30pm).

MHL: Terengganu Hockey Team's League title...

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Coach Sarjit Singh annd his charges celebrate their MHL League title on Friday.

NATIONAL player Faizal Shaari made sure Terengganu Hockey Team (THT) lift the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) League title with a goal and an assist against Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) yesterday.

  THT's late charge saw them win 2-1, and top the standings unbeaten on 24 points. KLHC finished second on 20 points.

  KLHC went into the match as the Charity Shield and Alagendra Cup champions, but THT stopped them at the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Stadium yesterday.

  THT only needed a draw for the League title, but Nabil Fiqri gave KLHC the lead in the 38th minute and it looked like they were ready to lift their third title.

  But a stroke of luck, when South Korean import Jang Jonghyun was penalised for delaying tactics, saw Faizal Shaari equalising for THT in the 50th minute.

  And three minutes later, Faizal beat two players with a darting run to pass the ball to Argentinian Lopez Barreiros -- who made sure with a deft tap to beat goalkeeper Roslan Jamaluddin.

  "I am not one to brag, but we have yet to lose a match in the MHL (seven wins and three draws) and did not intend to give away a third title to KLHC. 

  "And looking forward, we will play to win the TNB Cup as well," said Faizal.

  THT coach Sarjit Singh was happy that they managed to snatch the League title, even though his charges missed many goal chances.

  "We should have won the match easily, buy a rare mistake by my defenders gave KLHC the lead and we had to chase back. Credit to the players as they gave their best to claw back into the match and did not allow KLHC to walk away with a third title," said Sarjit.

  KLHC coach Lim Chiow Chuan took out his goalkeeper six minutes from the end, but failed to get back into the game.

  "We were penalised for time wasting (by Jang) and Faizal scored the equaliser. It changed the entire game. But looking forward, we still have another title to play for and that's my focus right now," said Chiow Chuan.

  RESULTS: Premier Division -- Tenaga 3 UniKL 2, Maybank 2 Thunderbolts 0, KLHC 1 THT 2.

MHL: THT and KLHC battle for League title

TERENGGANU Hockey team (THT) coach Sarjit Singh does not want to be third time unlucky, as he prepares his team for the Malaysia Hockey League  (MHL) League title decider Friday.
  THT had lost the Charity Shield and the Alagendra Cup to Kuala Lumpur Hockey  Club (KLHC) on shoot-outs after being held to 2-2 and 3-3 draws respectively.
  THT, on 21 points, and KLHC, on 20 points, will square off at the Kuala Lumpur HA Stadium today, and THT only needs a draw while KHLC a win to lift their 10th League title, and third crown of the season.
  "We have yet to lose a match this season (six wins and three draws) and need to keep this record in the final league match against KLHC tomorrow to lift the league title.
  "We lost the Charity and Alagendra Cup to KLHC on shoot-outs, and I don't plan to be third time unlucky," said THT coach Sarjit Singh.
   Argentinian Olympian Gonzalo Peillat is the MHL top scorer with 13 goals for THT, while KLHC's South Korean Jang Jonghyun is No 2 on 10 goals -- and both of them are penalty corner aces.
  "We have been winning matches because of penalty corners, but can't rely on it tomorrow. We need to score field goals as well to snatch the title from KLHC," said Sarjit.
  As for KLHC coach Lim Chiow Chuan: "The players know what is at stake as we cannot afford a draw. We have to be intelligent in our tackles (inside the 25-yard) as THT are deadly in penalty corners.
  “The plan is not to concede soft penalty corners and to play a patient game.
  “When we lost to TNB (Tenaga) and drew with UniKL (Universiti Kuala Lumpur), most wrote off our chances of retaining the League title.
  “However The team showed guts and determination by winning every match since, and I can only salute their dedication and commitment.
  "It’s down to this match, and we will not give up our title without a fight.”
  
  FRIDAY: Premier Division -- Tenaga v UniKL (National Stadium Pitch II, 6pm), Maybank v Thunderbolts (National Stadium Pitch II, 8pm), KLHC v THT (KLHA, 5pm).