22/06/1997
PETALING Jaya Municipal Council (PJMC) have three goals to chase but the
pressure is expected to be on Old La Sallians of Klang (Olak) in the MHF-
Milo-NSC Junior League hockey semifinals second leg today.
They must maintain their form if they want to make the final because
PJMC have the material to pull off an upset.
PJMC have a host of good players but they have been on a roller coaster
ride since the League started.
They beat Andersonians 6-1 and Penang Juniors 8-0 only to draw 2-2 with
Electrical Switchgear Automation (ESA). They also managed 1-1 draws with
a weak Sultan Abu Bakar College (SABC) and whipping boys Bukit Jalil
Sports School (BJSS).
"A three-goal margin is hard to overcome but don't expect us to give up
meekly. Olak will have to bring out their best as we will fight till the
end," said PJMC coach Avtar Singh.
And with injured League topscorer Hafiz Hussin up and running, PJMC have
the capabilities of causing an upset.
Olak, who will march in with a comfortable 3-0 lead, are also no
pushovers.
"When we won the League title, I told my boys to go for the overall
title and we are just two steps away now. PJMC are a good side but we have
the advantage," said Olak assistant team manager Joseph de Silva.
"We have also brushed up on our penalty corner setpieces, it has been
our sore point but we did turn the first leg into our favour with a first
minute penalty corner goal. We hope to score early in the return leg too."
In the other semifinal, success for Tampin District, who held ESA of
Penang 1-1 in the first leg on Friday, did not come overnight.
They started the League campaign on a shaky note and lost 3-2 to Olak,
drew 2-2 with SABC and lost 5-2 to PJMC.
"The players were just getting used to each other then," said Tampin
team manager Jusvir Singh.
"Most of them come from Datuk Taha Secondary in Gemencheh and Tunku
Besar Secondary in Tampin and had not played as a team for long."
But once they started moving as a team, they beat Klang Municipal
Council (KMC) 4-1 and Pahang Sports Council (PSC) 3-0.
"We have achieved our target of making the semis, making the final will
be a bonus. We will go all out for full points.
"I have told my players to enjoy themselves, there should be no pressure
to deliver. But that does not mean we will slacken our pace. ESA can
expect a tough fight."
Coached by V. Vikraman and Roslan Mohamed, Tampin are capable of
shutting out last year's double champions ESA if they play their normal
game.
(END)
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Hafiz, up and running now
22/06/1997
HAFIZ Hussin from Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (PJMC) has scored 15
goals in the MHF-Milo-NSC Junior Hockey League but on Friday, he was
unable to stop Old La Sallians of Klang (Olak) from winning by a
comfortable 3-0 margin.
No, he has not lost his touch. He injured his leg in the earlier matches
and as a result, was seen limping against Olak.
"I felt very bad not being able to help my teammates in the first leg of
the semifinals, I will try my best to score in the second leg today," said
Hafiz.
The 19-year-old League topscorer, who has been given a clean bill of
health for the return leg, played with the PJMC senior side for three
years before joining the juniors and attributes his abilities to
experience.
"Playing with the seniors was a valuable experience, they play a fast
game and we have learnt that there is no place for individualism," said
Hafiz.
"Team spirit is what wins matches."
And Hafiz has been a team player in the League, running up and down with
the ball, he thinks nothing of making a pass in the semicircle if he sees
his teammates unmarked.
"I scored nine field goals because there is a good understanding between
the PJMC forwards, if they didn't make the openings I could not have
scored so many."
The left inside played for Sri Serdang Secondary and has helped his
school win the Inter-Schools and Inter-District titles.
"Playing at school level was fun, now it is serious business. I hope I
am able to help my employers make the final. It is going to be an uphill
battle but we have not thrown in the towel yet. We need to score early if
we want to see action in the final."
Hockey is not his only love, Hafiz is an all-rounder. He plays soccer,
sepaktakraw and is an active athlete: "But my aim is to play hockey at the
national level."
With the League topscorer award as good as his, as his nearest
challenger is on nine goals, his aim does not seem to be that far off.
(END)
HAFIZ Hussin from Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (PJMC) has scored 15
goals in the MHF-Milo-NSC Junior Hockey League but on Friday, he was
unable to stop Old La Sallians of Klang (Olak) from winning by a
comfortable 3-0 margin.
No, he has not lost his touch. He injured his leg in the earlier matches
and as a result, was seen limping against Olak.
"I felt very bad not being able to help my teammates in the first leg of
the semifinals, I will try my best to score in the second leg today," said
Hafiz.
The 19-year-old League topscorer, who has been given a clean bill of
health for the return leg, played with the PJMC senior side for three
years before joining the juniors and attributes his abilities to
experience.
"Playing with the seniors was a valuable experience, they play a fast
game and we have learnt that there is no place for individualism," said
Hafiz.
"Team spirit is what wins matches."
And Hafiz has been a team player in the League, running up and down with
the ball, he thinks nothing of making a pass in the semicircle if he sees
his teammates unmarked.
"I scored nine field goals because there is a good understanding between
the PJMC forwards, if they didn't make the openings I could not have
scored so many."
The left inside played for Sri Serdang Secondary and has helped his
school win the Inter-Schools and Inter-District titles.
"Playing at school level was fun, now it is serious business. I hope I
am able to help my employers make the final. It is going to be an uphill
battle but we have not thrown in the towel yet. We need to score early if
we want to see action in the final."
Hockey is not his only love, Hafiz is an all-rounder. He plays soccer,
sepaktakraw and is an active athlete: "But my aim is to play hockey at the
national level."
With the League topscorer award as good as his, as his nearest
challenger is on nine goals, his aim does not seem to be that far off.
(END)
Plucky Olak and ESA reach final
23/06/1997
MPPJ 2 OLAK 2
(Olak win 5-2on aggregate)
TAMPIN 0 ESA 2
(ESA win 3-1on aggregate)
PETALING Jaya Municipal Council (PJMC) played their hearts out but it was
not good enough to deny League champions Old La Sallians of Klang (Olak) a
place in the final of the MHF-Milo-NSC Junior Hockey League at the PJMC
Stadium yesterday.
And at the Bukit Jalil Hockey Stadium, Electrical Switchgear Automation
(ESA) of Penang pulled up their socks in the second half to beat Tampin
District 2-0.
Olak started with a bang, and just like the first leg of the semifinal
where they won 3-0, they scored a field goal in the first minute through
Sukhwinder Singh.
After that goal, PJMC came charging back with numerous chances at goal
but failed to equalised until the 31st minute when Hafiz Hussin converted
a penalty stroke.
With two minutes to go before half-time, Hafiz scored his 17th goal of
the League to give PJMC the lead for the first time.
But luck was not with them as just after the breather, Olak's Mohamed
Amin scored a penalty stroke to equalise 2-2. Though the scoreline stood
until the final whistle, it was Olak who qualified for the final on a 5-2
aggregate.
"I am proud of my players because they played their very best out there.
We did all the right things but a three-goal margin is hard to chase. Luck
was also not on our side," said PJMC coach Avtar Singh.
As for Olak, they are just a step away from winning a double this
season.
"If the boys play like the way they did against PJMC today (yesterday) we
have a good chance of winning another title," said Olak assistant team
manager Joseph de Silva.
At Bukit Jalil, Tampin pinned ESA in the semicircle for a good part of
the first half with hardworking skipper S. Nishel Kumar causing the most
damage.
It took Tampin ten minutes into the game to sound the board but just as
the ball rolled over the line, umpire Brian Fernandez penalised ESA for an
infringement and instead gave away a penalty corner.
Five minutes later Tampin's Noreffendy Ramli took an on-the-turn shot at
goal only to miss the top bar by inches.
ESA, however, were a fresh side when play resumed and goals by V.
Vasandan (54th) and K. Ganesh (67th) were enough to take them into the
final with a 3-1 aggregate.
"Tampin were a tough side to beat and I am glad we played as a team and
made the final," said ESA team manager Kali Kavandan.
"Now we have a chance to settle old scores with Olak. We lost the League
title to them but aim to keep this one."
FIXTURES: June 28 - 3rd placing (3.30); Final (5.30) - Bukit Jalil
Hockey Stadium.
(END)
(Olak win 5-2on aggregate)
TAMPIN 0 ESA 2
(ESA win 3-1on aggregate)
PETALING Jaya Municipal Council (PJMC) played their hearts out but it was
not good enough to deny League champions Old La Sallians of Klang (Olak) a
place in the final of the MHF-Milo-NSC Junior Hockey League at the PJMC
Stadium yesterday.
And at the Bukit Jalil Hockey Stadium, Electrical Switchgear Automation
(ESA) of Penang pulled up their socks in the second half to beat Tampin
District 2-0.
Olak started with a bang, and just like the first leg of the semifinal
where they won 3-0, they scored a field goal in the first minute through
Sukhwinder Singh.
After that goal, PJMC came charging back with numerous chances at goal
but failed to equalised until the 31st minute when Hafiz Hussin converted
a penalty stroke.
With two minutes to go before half-time, Hafiz scored his 17th goal of
the League to give PJMC the lead for the first time.
But luck was not with them as just after the breather, Olak's Mohamed
Amin scored a penalty stroke to equalise 2-2. Though the scoreline stood
until the final whistle, it was Olak who qualified for the final on a 5-2
aggregate.
"I am proud of my players because they played their very best out there.
We did all the right things but a three-goal margin is hard to chase. Luck
was also not on our side," said PJMC coach Avtar Singh.
As for Olak, they are just a step away from winning a double this
season.
"If the boys play like the way they did against PJMC today (yesterday) we
have a good chance of winning another title," said Olak assistant team
manager Joseph de Silva.
At Bukit Jalil, Tampin pinned ESA in the semicircle for a good part of
the first half with hardworking skipper S. Nishel Kumar causing the most
damage.
It took Tampin ten minutes into the game to sound the board but just as
the ball rolled over the line, umpire Brian Fernandez penalised ESA for an
infringement and instead gave away a penalty corner.
Five minutes later Tampin's Noreffendy Ramli took an on-the-turn shot at
goal only to miss the top bar by inches.
ESA, however, were a fresh side when play resumed and goals by V.
Vasandan (54th) and K. Ganesh (67th) were enough to take them into the
final with a 3-1 aggregate.
"Tampin were a tough side to beat and I am glad we played as a team and
made the final," said ESA team manager Kali Kavandan.
"Now we have a chance to settle old scores with Olak. We lost the League
title to them but aim to keep this one."
FIXTURES: June 28 - 3rd placing (3.30); Final (5.30) - Bukit Jalil
Hockey Stadium.
(END)
Gold medal target for schoolboys
25/06/1997
MALAYSIA aim to bring home a gold medal from the Asean Schools Sepaktakraw
Championships in Surabaya, Indonesia, on July 21-28.
Chief coach Syed Akhir Syed Rahman is confident that his charges will
better the silver medal won in Brunei last year.
"Last year we lost to Thailand in the final but we are better prepared
now, our target is to win gold," said Syed at the Bukit Jalil Sports
School yesterday.
Twenty-five players were selected after the National Schools
Championships in Johor Baru, where Malacca won the team event and Kedah
the inter-regu title, and started their second phase of centralised
training at Bukit Jalil on Monday.
The players will train until tomorrow and 12 will be shortlisted to form
four regus. Three regus will take part, the fourth will be on standby.
"Most of them have not played together so right now we are trying them
out with various partners."
"At the end of the day we will select the best 12 and if we meet
Thailand in the final, since they are still the best, we hope for an
upset," said Syed.
TRAINEES - Tekong: Mohamed Yazid, Mohamed Fauzi, Syahrulnizam Said,
Bunawan Zulkifli, Azrul Hisham, Nordanial Hamzah, Saipullah Seman, Mohamed
Hirman; Apit Kanan: Azam Heider, Zulkhuari Rahman, Mohamed Faizal, Mohamed
Shahril, Rahim Adnan, Putra Ghani, Joshua Erang, Norhaidi Zinor, Mior
Angah, Mohamed Isa; Apit Kiri: Sharil Rashid, Mohamed Rahmat, Mohamed
Asmawi, Norakmal Firdaus, Sufian Johari, Mazlan Burhan, Rukman Mustapha.
TEAMS: Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Philippines, Singapore, Laos.
(END)
More than the cash at stake for ESA and Olak
27/06/1997
LAST year's double champions Electrical Switchgear Automation (ESA) and
League champions Old La Sallians of Klang (Olak) will have more than just
the RM25,000 in mind when they square off in the MHF-Milo-NSC Junior
League final tomorrow.
If ESA win they become the first team to bag the overall title back-to
back and if Olak triumph, they will become the third team to win both
titles in the same year.
Yayasan Negri Sembilan were double champions in 1995 and ESA equalled
this feat last year while Olak look a good bet for the same tomorrow.
"Although we beat ESA 1-0 for the League title, I have told my players
not to be overconfident because anything can happen in the final," said
Olak assistant team manager Joseph de Silva.
"The boys have been training hard the past few days and morale is high,
winning a double is what they want now."
With the second title just a step away, Olak have suffered a setback
when they lost top scorer Syayrim Uda Karim to two yellow cards but de
Silva does not think it is a major setback.
"Yes, we will miss Syayrim in the final but hockey is a team sport and
my boys have been playing to perfection. Teamwork will see us through
again. The teams who have relied on a few selected players have ended the
League empty handed," added de Silva.
Olak have had a dramatic rise to the top. They finished seventh three
years ago and were sixth last year.
"The team was formed because I noticed many talented players did not
have the avenue to sharpen their skills.
"Once it was formed, we won many six-a-sides and other hockey carnivals
in Klang. That was when we decided to have our own youth development
programme and it has paid off handsomely." he said.
Goalkeeper Saiful Azhar is a product of the programme and the Malaysian
Hockey Federation Talent Squad player is one of Olak's aces in their deck.
A pillar of confidence between the posts, he and former Andersonians
goalkeeper Roslan Jamaluddin have done a good job so far.
"But good goalkeepers alone are of no use if their team is weak. Saiful
was 13-years-old when he started playing for Olak and has come a long way
since then," he added.
ESA will have a tough job prising open the Olak defence and coach Bob
Rajendran is fully aware of it.
"Yes, this is one match (against Olak) we are looking forward to. I can
safely say that it is going to be an explosive affair," said Rajendran
after the semifinals.
"ESA have been playing well, the only thing they haven't been doing is
making use of all the chances available. We must improve on penalty
corners, we have missed too many in the League."
ESA will rely on K. Keevan Raj, K. Logan Raj, Mohamed Rodhanizam and
Dexter Kang to do the damage.
The overall title comes with a RM25,000 purse but if the match goes into
sudden-death and penalty flicks, the prize money will be shared.
The fight for third placing is expected to be just as interesting.
Tampin District and Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (PJMC) both have the
players to pull off a win.
TOMORROW - 3rd placing: Tampin v PJMC (3.30); Final: Olak v ESA (5.30) -
Bukit Jalil Hockey Stadium.
(END)
League champions Old La Sallians of Klang (Olak) will have more than just
the RM25,000 in mind when they square off in the MHF-Milo-NSC Junior
League final tomorrow.
If ESA win they become the first team to bag the overall title back-to
back and if Olak triumph, they will become the third team to win both
titles in the same year.
Yayasan Negri Sembilan were double champions in 1995 and ESA equalled
this feat last year while Olak look a good bet for the same tomorrow.
"Although we beat ESA 1-0 for the League title, I have told my players
not to be overconfident because anything can happen in the final," said
Olak assistant team manager Joseph de Silva.
"The boys have been training hard the past few days and morale is high,
winning a double is what they want now."
With the second title just a step away, Olak have suffered a setback
when they lost top scorer Syayrim Uda Karim to two yellow cards but de
Silva does not think it is a major setback.
"Yes, we will miss Syayrim in the final but hockey is a team sport and
my boys have been playing to perfection. Teamwork will see us through
again. The teams who have relied on a few selected players have ended the
League empty handed," added de Silva.
Olak have had a dramatic rise to the top. They finished seventh three
years ago and were sixth last year.
"The team was formed because I noticed many talented players did not
have the avenue to sharpen their skills.
"Once it was formed, we won many six-a-sides and other hockey carnivals
in Klang. That was when we decided to have our own youth development
programme and it has paid off handsomely." he said.
Goalkeeper Saiful Azhar is a product of the programme and the Malaysian
Hockey Federation Talent Squad player is one of Olak's aces in their deck.
A pillar of confidence between the posts, he and former Andersonians
goalkeeper Roslan Jamaluddin have done a good job so far.
"But good goalkeepers alone are of no use if their team is weak. Saiful
was 13-years-old when he started playing for Olak and has come a long way
since then," he added.
ESA will have a tough job prising open the Olak defence and coach Bob
Rajendran is fully aware of it.
"Yes, this is one match (against Olak) we are looking forward to. I can
safely say that it is going to be an explosive affair," said Rajendran
after the semifinals.
"ESA have been playing well, the only thing they haven't been doing is
making use of all the chances available. We must improve on penalty
corners, we have missed too many in the League."
ESA will rely on K. Keevan Raj, K. Logan Raj, Mohamed Rodhanizam and
Dexter Kang to do the damage.
The overall title comes with a RM25,000 purse but if the match goes into
sudden-death and penalty flicks, the prize money will be shared.
The fight for third placing is expected to be just as interesting.
Tampin District and Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (PJMC) both have the
players to pull off a win.
TOMORROW - 3rd placing: Tampin v PJMC (3.30); Final: Olak v ESA (5.30) -
Bukit Jalil Hockey Stadium.
(END)
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