Friday, April 20, 2018

JHL Div 2: Penang v Malacca final

KUALA LUMPUR: Malacca's MBMB Warriors and Penang's MSSP-PSHA wil play in the Division Two final of the boys Junior Hockey League (JHL) on Sunday.
  MBMB Warriors, who had beaten TBSS Tampin 4-1 earlier, topped Group Y when they beat Anderson PHA 6-2 at the National Stadium yesterday.
  And MSSP-PSHA edged KL Vipers 1-0 to top Group X, as they had beaten their Juniors 4-3 on Thursday.
  Penang's winner was scored by Haikal Danial in the 35th minute. The goal also will see Penang promoted to Division One next season.
  Malacca's six were scored by Fakhri Zaide (first), Hafizi Zainudin (26th), Amir Saifuddin (29th), Hariz Kamar (33rd), Hafizi Zainudin (41st), Amirul Syukri (46th), 
  And Anderson goals were scored by Amar Mustaqim Che Said (50th) and Rafiqul Husni 60th).
  The win also saw Warriors gain promotion to Division One next season, ironically, they had declined to be promoted to the higher level this season -- 'because they were not ready yet'.
  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.
  "We declined promotion when UniKL pulled out because we were not ready for the tougher division yet. We wanted to become champions in Division Two, and be promoted on merit.
  "Now that we have earned it, we will play in the higher division next season. We still have one more match to claim the title, and even though some of my players are carrying injuries, I believe we can claim another victory," said MBMB Warriors coach Norikram Sulaiman.
  Division Two, 20 teams divided into three groups, will see the top two teams in each group battle in Group X and Group Y, with the champions playing in the final while the second placed teams play for the bronze.
  The three teams in Group X are KL Vipers, MSSPP-PSHA Jnrs and MSSPP-PSHA while in Group Y are TBSS Tampin, Anderson PHA and MBMB Warriors.
  RESULTS: Division Two -- Group Y: Anderson PHA 2 MBMB Warriors 6; Group X: KL Vipers 0 MSSP-PSHA 1.
  SATURDAY -- Division One: Pahang Thunderbolts v Anderson Thunderbolts (National Stadium Pitch, 5pm), Perlis Young Lions v SMKDBL-UniKL (Kangar, 5pm).
  Division Two: Group X: MSSP-PSHA Juniors v KL Vipers (National Stadium Pitch II, 5pm); Group Y: TBSS Tampin v Anderson PHA (National Stadium Pitch II, 7.15pm).
  SUNDAY -- Division One: SSTMI v Sabah SS Resilient (SSTMI, 5pm).
  Tuesday: Old La Sallians Association of Klang v Sabah SS Resilient (Pandamaran, 5pm), PJCC Tigers v BJSS Thudnerbolts (PJCC Stadium, 5pm).

Youth Olympics: Tough for Malaysia...

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian boys and girls hockey teams are expected to face a tough time qualifying for the under-18 Youth Olympics which will be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Oct 6-18.
  Both the teams will have to play in the final of the Hockey 5s tournament qualifier in Bangkok, Thailand, on April 25-29 to win a ticket to Argentina.
  Yesterday, the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) named both the squads and boys coach Wallace Tan as well as girls coach Yahya Atan admitted it will not be an easy tournament.
  Played in a fast paced format of Five-a-Side, the Malaysian boys are in Group B with Pakistan, Bangladesh, Singapore, Taiwan and Cambodia.
  The girls are in Group A with China, Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
  Yahya feels China and Japan will be the main hurdles: "Malaysian girls have never qualified to play in the Youth Olympics and I expect the challenge to come from China and Japan who both qualified for the last Youth Olympics.
  "I believe my charges are ready to give their best and make the grade," said the 63-year old veteran coach.
  Boys coach Wallace Tan also said he expects a tough challenge from Pakistan and Bangladesh.
  "This is a good tournament to gauge our players as they will be under tremendous pressure against some of the best teams in the region. Pakistan and Bangladesh, who have already qualified for the Youth Olympics, and are in our group and I expect the challenge to come from both of them.
  "It will be tough, but my players are up to the challenge," said Wallace.
  The boys will be led by Junior Hockey League top-scorer Akhimullah Anuar Esook, who has scored 14 goals so far to hand Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) Thunderbolts the League title.
  MALAYSIA -- Boys: Hamiz Ahir (GK), Arif Syafie Ishak, Akhimullah Anuar Esook, Amirul Hamizan Azhar, Muhibuddin Moharam, Noor Firdauz Rosdi, 
Syarman Mat Tee, Kamaruzaman Kamarudin, Alfarico Lance Liau.
  GIRLS: Siti Zalia Nasir (GK), Nur Atira Ismail, 
Nurmaizatul Hanim Syafi, Siti Nur Arfah Nor, Nor Asfarina Isahyifiqa Isahhidun, Siti Zulaika Hussin, Nur Fatin Fatiah Azman, Putri Nur Batrisyia Nornawawi, Elizaberth Epui Martin.
  BOYS' -- Group A: India, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand.
  Group B: Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Singapore, Taiwan, Cambodia.
  GIRLS' -- Group A: Malaysia, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan.
  Group B: South Korea, India, Thailand, Singapore.