NEW Zealand beat Malaysia 3-2 in the first Azlan Shah Cup warm-up match at the Bukit Serindit Stadium in Malacca yesterday.
The Kiwis are the defending champions, and Malaysia will play another friendly with them today before heading for Ipoh for the tournament proper starting on Saturday.
The other teams in the Azlan Shah Cup are India, Pakistan, South Korea and Australia.
Malaysian coach Paul Revington has selected 16 players, with two to be named after the Kiwi friendlies.
New Zealand took the lead off an Andy Hayward penalty corner in the 21st minute, but there minutes later Faizal Saaro scores a field goal to draw level.
Howard again score a penalty corner goal in the 33rd minute for a 2-1 lead going into the breather.
And right after the hooter, Malaysia went on the offensive and this time Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin drew the hosts level in the 37th minute.
However, Shay Neal scored the winner in the 65th minute.
Monday, March 4, 2013
SSTMI and UniKL formula...
THE Junior Hockey League (JHL) was so predictable that Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) should have been handed both the titles right after the fixtures were drawn up.
But SSTMI, also known as Thunderbolts, did not have it rosy in the early days when they were known as Bandar Penawar Sports School.
As BPSS, they did not have the resources to hold onto their players after Form Five, as money was a big factor which drove their best to Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) big spenders.
“We were just another struggling side as we kept grooming players but could not hold them after they finished schooling. But now, with Tenaga Nasional’s backing, we have produced results in the last four seasons,” said SSTMI coach Wan Roslan Wan Rahman.
Money and a good coaching set-up has seen UniKL Young Guns and Thunderbolts sharing the titles since 2010, with Petaling Jaya City Council (PJCC) sneaking in to finish second in the League this season.
But Thunderbolts are fast breaking free of the chasing pack with three consecutive League titles, as well as claiming the double champions title back-to-back.
When asked about his take on this season, Wan Roslan said: “The gap between Division One and Division Two teams is getting bigger and bigger.
“And even in Division One, the challenge among traditional rivals like Bukit Jalil is fizzling.”
BJSS hold the distinction of seven consecutive League titles from 2003 to 2009, and and double champions in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009. But are whipping boys today, as they do not have the money to hold onto players.
Wan Roslan’s sentiments were shared by UniKL Young Guns coach K. Embaraj, a third-time unlucky Milo Cup finalist.
“There used to be at least four teams who had quality players in the past, but now, we are left with only two sides while the rest are struggling because the talent pool is shrinking fast,” lamented Embaraj, a former international.
Both UniKL and SSTMI Thunderbolts also play a feeder role to their senior sides, with SSTMI grooming players for Tenaga Nasional.
“It is a win-win situation, where we groom the players with help from Tenaga, and then supply talent for their MHL side. This year, two of our players will see action with Tenaga in the senior league, and this augurs well for the country as well,” said Wan Rahman.
Money, and affiliation to a strong sponsor, is what the rest of the JHL teams should start hunting for from today, if not, next year’s season will also see UniKL, who will have 15 players eligible from this season, and SSTMI hogging the headlines again.
But SSTMI, also known as Thunderbolts, did not have it rosy in the early days when they were known as Bandar Penawar Sports School.
As BPSS, they did not have the resources to hold onto their players after Form Five, as money was a big factor which drove their best to Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) big spenders.
“We were just another struggling side as we kept grooming players but could not hold them after they finished schooling. But now, with Tenaga Nasional’s backing, we have produced results in the last four seasons,” said SSTMI coach Wan Roslan Wan Rahman.
Money and a good coaching set-up has seen UniKL Young Guns and Thunderbolts sharing the titles since 2010, with Petaling Jaya City Council (PJCC) sneaking in to finish second in the League this season.
But Thunderbolts are fast breaking free of the chasing pack with three consecutive League titles, as well as claiming the double champions title back-to-back.
When asked about his take on this season, Wan Roslan said: “The gap between Division One and Division Two teams is getting bigger and bigger.
“And even in Division One, the challenge among traditional rivals like Bukit Jalil is fizzling.”
BJSS hold the distinction of seven consecutive League titles from 2003 to 2009, and and double champions in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009. But are whipping boys today, as they do not have the money to hold onto players.
Wan Roslan’s sentiments were shared by UniKL Young Guns coach K. Embaraj, a third-time unlucky Milo Cup finalist.
“There used to be at least four teams who had quality players in the past, but now, we are left with only two sides while the rest are struggling because the talent pool is shrinking fast,” lamented Embaraj, a former international.
Both UniKL and SSTMI Thunderbolts also play a feeder role to their senior sides, with SSTMI grooming players for Tenaga Nasional.
“It is a win-win situation, where we groom the players with help from Tenaga, and then supply talent for their MHL side. This year, two of our players will see action with Tenaga in the senior league, and this augurs well for the country as well,” said Wan Rahman.
Money, and affiliation to a strong sponsor, is what the rest of the JHL teams should start hunting for from today, if not, next year’s season will also see UniKL, who will have 15 players eligible from this season, and SSTMI hogging the headlines again.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
SSTMI champions again..
TENGKU Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) had to use all nine lives to beat UniKL Young Guns 1-0 for their third consecutive Milo Cup title at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
SSTMI dominated play, but UniKL were awarded nine penalty corners and wasted all as goalkeeper Ridzwan Azmi just was in his element.
It was a dream start for SSTMI as they pushed hard and won a fifth minute penalty corner and their skipper Shahril Saabah scored his ninth goal of the tournament with a low flick to the right.
The crowd, about 3,000, were treated to more action in the remaining minutes of the first half, as SSTMI kept up the pressure but could not increase the lead.
UniKL muffed four penalty corners, and went into the dressing room to plan for a comeback, as failire would see them fall for the third consecutive time to SSTMI in the Milo Cup final.
The second half was no different, as SSTMI were the better side, while Young Guns keep firing blanks even after presented with numerous penalty corners.
And during the seventh UniKL penalty corner in the 59th minute, SSTMI goalkeeper Ridzwan Azmi was injured after gallantly diving to make a save to keep a clean slate.
Ridzwan, named Best Goalkeeper of the tournament, was again at his element as he parried away UniKL's ninth penalty corner in the 66th minute.
"It was a bruising final as my players gave their all and fought for every ball. It is also a historic moment for the school, as we celebrate our second double in the row, and third consecutive Milo Cup title," said SSTMI coach Wan Roslan Wan Rahman.
SSTMI received RM25,000, while UniKL Rm15,000.
In the bronze battle, Anderson of Ipoh beat Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School Juniors on a golden goal after a 2-2 draw at the end of the regulation time.
The Anderson goals were scored by Soffian Kamaruddin (eighth) and N. Kaatigan (69th) while the SSTMI Juniors goals were scored by Azhad Akmal (33rd) and Danial Asyraf (56th).
The Anderson hero of the night turned out to be Abdul Rauf who scored in the 77th minute of extra-time to hand his side the bronze as well as RM12,000. SSTMI juniors received RM10,000 for finishing fourth.
Best Player of the Tournament: Haziq Samsul - UniKL (RM1,500)
Top Scorer: Syafiq Zulzairin (UniKL, 14 goals) (RM1,500)
Best Goalkeeper: Ridzwan Azmi - SSTMI (RM1,500)
Best player of the Final: Shahril Saabah - SSTMI (RM1,500)
Fairplay: Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Ipoh (RM4,000)
RESULTS: Final -- Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School 1 UniKL Young Guns 0; Third-Fourth: Anderson 2 Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School Juniors 2 (Anderson win on sudden-death goal).
SSTMI dominated play, but UniKL were awarded nine penalty corners and wasted all as goalkeeper Ridzwan Azmi just was in his element.
It was a dream start for SSTMI as they pushed hard and won a fifth minute penalty corner and their skipper Shahril Saabah scored his ninth goal of the tournament with a low flick to the right.
The crowd, about 3,000, were treated to more action in the remaining minutes of the first half, as SSTMI kept up the pressure but could not increase the lead.
UniKL muffed four penalty corners, and went into the dressing room to plan for a comeback, as failire would see them fall for the third consecutive time to SSTMI in the Milo Cup final.
The second half was no different, as SSTMI were the better side, while Young Guns keep firing blanks even after presented with numerous penalty corners.
And during the seventh UniKL penalty corner in the 59th minute, SSTMI goalkeeper Ridzwan Azmi was injured after gallantly diving to make a save to keep a clean slate.
Ridzwan, named Best Goalkeeper of the tournament, was again at his element as he parried away UniKL's ninth penalty corner in the 66th minute.
"It was a bruising final as my players gave their all and fought for every ball. It is also a historic moment for the school, as we celebrate our second double in the row, and third consecutive Milo Cup title," said SSTMI coach Wan Roslan Wan Rahman.
SSTMI received RM25,000, while UniKL Rm15,000.
In the bronze battle, Anderson of Ipoh beat Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School Juniors on a golden goal after a 2-2 draw at the end of the regulation time.
The Anderson goals were scored by Soffian Kamaruddin (eighth) and N. Kaatigan (69th) while the SSTMI Juniors goals were scored by Azhad Akmal (33rd) and Danial Asyraf (56th).
The Anderson hero of the night turned out to be Abdul Rauf who scored in the 77th minute of extra-time to hand his side the bronze as well as RM12,000. SSTMI juniors received RM10,000 for finishing fourth.
Best Player of the Tournament: Haziq Samsul - UniKL (RM1,500)
Top Scorer: Syafiq Zulzairin (UniKL, 14 goals) (RM1,500)
Best Goalkeeper: Ridzwan Azmi - SSTMI (RM1,500)
Best player of the Final: Shahril Saabah - SSTMI (RM1,500)
Fairplay: Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Ipoh (RM4,000)
RESULTS: Final -- Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School 1 UniKL Young Guns 0; Third-Fourth: Anderson 2 Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School Juniors 2 (Anderson win on sudden-death goal).
Anderson claim bronze..
In the MILO CUP bronze battle, Anderson of Ipoh beat Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School Juniors on a golden goal after a 2-2 draw at the end of the regulation time.
The Anderson goals were scored by Soffian Kamaruddin (eighth) and N. Kaatigan (69th) while the SSTMI Juniors goals were scored by Azhad Akmal (33rd) and Danial Asyraf (56th).
The Anderson hero of the night turned out to be Abdul Rauf who scored in the 77th minute of extra-time to hand his side the bronze as well as RM12,000. SSTMI juniors received RM10,000 for finishing fourth.
The Anderson goals were scored by Soffian Kamaruddin (eighth) and N. Kaatigan (69th) while the SSTMI Juniors goals were scored by Azhad Akmal (33rd) and Danial Asyraf (56th).
The Anderson hero of the night turned out to be Abdul Rauf who scored in the 77th minute of extra-time to hand his side the bronze as well as RM12,000. SSTMI juniors received RM10,000 for finishing fourth.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
SSTMI confident of third Milo Cup..
TENGKU Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) are confident, while UniKL Young Guns are happy to play the underdogs in the Junior Hockey League Milo Cup final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil today.
Both the teams, and their coaches, are no strangers as they will be meeting in each other in the fourth consecutive Milo Cup final since 2010.
UniKL won the first encounter, but SSTMI (then known as Bandar Penawar Sports School) came back strongly in the last two finals and are the favourites for a hat-trick of titles.
“We beat them in the League (3-2) even though we did not have our best who were recovering from injuries. For the final, we have the full squad, and that is why I am confident that my players are ready to lift their third Milo Cup title,” said SSTMI coach Wan Roslan Wan Rahman.
STMI were hit badly when four of their players were involved with motorbike accidents in the middle of the league.
Amirul Aideed and Azwar Rahman were the worse hit and were out for action for two weeks, while Firdaus Omar and Ridzwan Azmi continued playing with some barely healed scars.
“That is when we lost to Anderson (3-2) and also struggled to beat UniKL in our last league match to seal the League title,” said Wan Rahman.
It was a seven-goal thriller when the two met, and today is expected to be no different as free-hockey will be played.
“We will be going in as the underdogs as we not only lost to SSTMI in the last two finals, but also in the League this season,” said UniKL coach Faiz Isa.
“It was very difficult to swallow our first Milo Cup defeat to SSTMI in 2011, and the next year we fell again and the feeling was really bad.
“I have motivated my players and hopefully, we will be celebrating after the 70 minutes are over this season,” said Faiz.
TODAY: Final -- Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS UniKL Young Guns (8pm); Third-Fourth: SSTMI Juniors v Andersons (6pm).
Both matches at the National Hockey Stadium, Pitch II, in Bukit Jalil.
Both the teams, and their coaches, are no strangers as they will be meeting in each other in the fourth consecutive Milo Cup final since 2010.
UniKL won the first encounter, but SSTMI (then known as Bandar Penawar Sports School) came back strongly in the last two finals and are the favourites for a hat-trick of titles.
“We beat them in the League (3-2) even though we did not have our best who were recovering from injuries. For the final, we have the full squad, and that is why I am confident that my players are ready to lift their third Milo Cup title,” said SSTMI coach Wan Roslan Wan Rahman.
STMI were hit badly when four of their players were involved with motorbike accidents in the middle of the league.
Amirul Aideed and Azwar Rahman were the worse hit and were out for action for two weeks, while Firdaus Omar and Ridzwan Azmi continued playing with some barely healed scars.
“That is when we lost to Anderson (3-2) and also struggled to beat UniKL in our last league match to seal the League title,” said Wan Rahman.
It was a seven-goal thriller when the two met, and today is expected to be no different as free-hockey will be played.
“We will be going in as the underdogs as we not only lost to SSTMI in the last two finals, but also in the League this season,” said UniKL coach Faiz Isa.
“It was very difficult to swallow our first Milo Cup defeat to SSTMI in 2011, and the next year we fell again and the feeling was really bad.
“I have motivated my players and hopefully, we will be celebrating after the 70 minutes are over this season,” said Faiz.
TODAY: Final -- Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS UniKL Young Guns (8pm); Third-Fourth: SSTMI Juniors v Andersons (6pm).
Both matches at the National Hockey Stadium, Pitch II, in Bukit Jalil.
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