AZLAN SHAH CUP: Mas 2 Arg 1

MALAYSIA beat world No 2 Argentina 2-1 in a heart-stopping Azlan Shah Cup match in Ipoh Tuesday.
   And now, coach Stephen van Huizen's men must beat India Wednesday to have a chance of finishing among the top-four.
  By half-time, Malaysia led World No 2 Argentina with goals from Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin (20th) and Najmi Jazlan (28th).
  Lady luck was also on Malaysia's side, as just before the half-time hooter, Argentina were awarded a penalty stroke but Juan Gilardi's attempt was stopped by goalkeeper Hairi Rahman.
  Tengku's classic goal came after he squeezes the ball past Argentina keeper Juan Vivaldi in a goalmouth melee, while Najmi deflects a cross from Faizal Shaari from close range.
  However, just after the restart, Argentina pulled one back when Diego Paz is left unchecked inside the Malaysian circle and he deflects a pass from well outside the circle from Pedro Ibarra in the 32th minute.
  With seven minutes to go, Faizal Shaari is handed the yellow card, but Malaysi still went on to hold onto the slim lead for a fantastic victory.
  In an earlier match, World No 1 Australia beat India 4-2 to maintain a strong grip on the standings.
  India defended well in the early stages, but there was no denying Australia glory in the third and fourth quarter of the match.
  Five-time Azlan Shah Cup champion India are in trouble now, as they have lost two matches and drew one so far.
  Australia took the lead off a Mark Knowles penalty stroke in the 28th minute while the other goals were scord by Aran Zalewski (35th), Daniel Beale (41st) and Blake Govers (43rd).
  India came back strongly in the last quarter with two goals, the first came from an own goal by Jeremy Edwards (52nd) and the second off Ramandeep Singh (53rd).
  In another match, England sent Ireland crashing to their third defeat with a clinical 4-1 victory with goals from Barry Middleton (15th, 59th) and Sam Ward (37th, 51st).
  The Irish goal was scored by Julian Dale (39th).
  RESULTS: England 4 Ireland 1, India 2 Australia 4, Malaysia 2 Argentina 1.
  WEDNESDAY: Australia v Ireland (4pm), Argentina v England (6pm), Malaysia v India (8.30pm).
  THURSDAY: REST DAY.

STANDINGS
                  P  W  D  L  F  A  Pts
AUSTRALIA         3  3  0  0  11 4  9
ARGENTINA         3  2  0  1  9  7  6
MALAYSIA          3  2  0  1  7  5  6
ENGLAND           3  1  1  1  6  6  4
INDIA             3  0  1  2  5  8  1
IRELAND           3  0  0  3  5  13 0

INDIA 2 AUSTRALIA 4

AZLAN SHAH CUP

RESULTS: England 4 Ireland 1, India 2 Australia 4, Malaysia x Argentina 
x.


STANDINGS
                  P  W  D  L  F  A  Pts
AUSTRALIA         3  3  0  0  11 4  9
ARGENTINA         2  2  0  0  8  5  6
ENGLAND           3  1  1  1  6  6  4
MALAYSIA          2  1  0  1  5  4  3
INDIA             3  0  1  2  5  8  1
IRELAND           3  0  0  3  5  13 0


ENDS/

Wan Roslan: No clear favourites in JHL this season..

KUALA LUMPUR: Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) Thunderbolts believe there are no clear favourites in Division One of the Junior Hockey League (JHL) which begins Wednesday.
  Last season, SSTMI Thunderbolts won the Overall title when they beat Pahang Sports School Thunderbolts 4-3 in shoot-out after both sides drew 2-2 during regulation time.
  The League title was won my Petaling Jaya City Council Tigers on 23 points, while SSTMI Thunderbolts were second on 21 points.
  SSTMI Thunderbolts coach Wan Roslan Wan Rahman said: "The early indications are that any one of the four Thunderbolts have a chance to win titles this season. It's a level playing field."
  Th other Thunderbolts are Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) and Anderson School of Ipoh.
  Thunderbolts is a project run and funded by Tenaga Nasonal, and last season all four were the semi-finalists in the Overall title chase.
   "People are saying with UniKL (Universiti Kuala Lumpur) not fielding a team in the JHL this season, SSTMI are going to have an easy time. But I beg to differ, as the three other Thunderbolts and even our first opponents this season (SMK Datuk Bentara Luar) have a good team.
  "Bentara Luar held us to a 1-1 draw last season, and we only beat them 4-2 in shoot-out," said Wan Roslan.
  (Note: Drawn matches in League were decided with a shoot-out last season).
  SSTMI will play Bentara Luar, sponsored and managed by UniKL, at Batu Pahat.
  "We will be playing Datuk Bentara at their own den, and I expect it to be another tough match, just like last season," said Wan Roslan.
  Datuk Bentara and SSTMI both have their own artificial pitches and sponsors.
  WEDNESDAY: PJCC Tigers v SSTMI (PJ Stadium, 5pm), Datuk Bentara-UniKL v SSTMI Thunderbolts (Batu Pahat, 5pm), BJSS Thunderbolts v Olak (KLHA Stadium, 5pm).
  FRIDAY: Pahang SS Thunderbolts v PJCC Tigers (Kuantan, 5pm), SSTMI v SSTMI Thunderbolts (SSTMI, 5pm).