They have won the Champion Schools title 11 times but their best finish in the Junior League was a third place in 2002. A year before they finished fourth.
But after the opening weekend of matches, things are looking up for the Ipoh team as they won both their ties -- against Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and Kijang Mas Kelantan.
Not only did the wins boost their morale, but the win over MBPJ was their first-ever over the Klang Valley team since playing in the JHL. The two early wins are unique as Anderson have never made a good start in the JHL.
"This is the best start we have ever had and I hope we will be able to collect at least four points from our matches this weekend," said coach Mokhtar Baharuddin.
"In particular I am pleased with our performance against MBPJ as my players tend to have a mental block when playing them. The win over MBPJ was what we were looking for to kick-start our campaign on a positive note."
But Mokhtar, who has eight players from last year's squad, knows that this weekend will be a test of character for his team. Anderson take on Olak in Klang on Friday before playing BJSS Under 17 at the Tun Razak Stadium on Sunday.
"It is not going to be easy playing Olak in Klang as they play very well at home with the crowd behind them. But I am optimistic we have the ability to nick all three points if the players reproduce their form," Mokhtar added.
"As for BJSS, it will be difficult but I am counting of getting at least a point off them. They have some experienced players in their ranks and will start as favourites."
Mokhtar said that while Anderson always did well in the Champion Schools, they found it tough to transfer their form to the JHL.
"This is due to the fact that we can only utilise players who are still in school," said Mokhtar, who has coached Anderson in the JHL since 1997.
"The clubsides have an advantage as they can field older players. Still, I am hoping for better fortune this time around."
FRIDAY -- Division Two: BJSS v TNB (6pm); Tun Razak Stadium); MBPJ v MSN Malacca (8pm); Tun Razak Stadium); Kijang Mas v MSJ MPBP (5pm); Kuala Terengganu); OLAK v Anderson (5pm); Pandamaran Stadium); BPSS v BJSS Jnr (5pm); BPSS Stadium); Setapak High v BPSS Jnr (6pm); Kuala Lumpur Hockey Stadium).
Division Three: Matri v SSP Temerloh (5pm); Kangar); Nur Insafi v MSAB (5pm); Sg Petani Hockey Stadium); MSS Penang v SMKDMT (5pm); USM Stadium); TBSS v SMK PP (5pm); Tampin Stadium); MSS Selangor v MSSPs/PHPs (3pm); Pan damaran Stadium).
SUNDAY -- Division Two: BJSS v Anderson (5pm); Tun Razak Stadium); Kijang Mas v MBPJ (5pm); Kuala Terengganu); MSN Malacca v BJSS Jnr (5pm); Malacca); BPSS v MSJ MPBP (5pm); BPSS Stadium)
Division Three: Nur Insafi v TBSS (5pm); Sg Petani); MSS Penang v MSSPs/PHPs (5pm); USM Stadium); SMKDMT v SSP Temerloh (5pm); Tampin); MSS Selangor v MSAB (3pm); Pandamaran Stadium); SMK PP v MATRI (5pm); Pandamaran Stadium).
But after the opening weekend of matches, things are looking up for the Ipoh team as they won both their ties -- against Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and Kijang Mas Kelantan.
Not only did the wins boost their morale, but the win over MBPJ was their first-ever over the Klang Valley team since playing in the JHL. The two early wins are unique as Anderson have never made a good start in the JHL.
"This is the best start we have ever had and I hope we will be able to collect at least four points from our matches this weekend," said coach Mokhtar Baharuddin.
"In particular I am pleased with our performance against MBPJ as my players tend to have a mental block when playing them. The win over MBPJ was what we were looking for to kick-start our campaign on a positive note."
But Mokhtar, who has eight players from last year's squad, knows that this weekend will be a test of character for his team. Anderson take on Olak in Klang on Friday before playing BJSS Under 17 at the Tun Razak Stadium on Sunday.
"It is not going to be easy playing Olak in Klang as they play very well at home with the crowd behind them. But I am optimistic we have the ability to nick all three points if the players reproduce their form," Mokhtar added.
"As for BJSS, it will be difficult but I am counting of getting at least a point off them. They have some experienced players in their ranks and will start as favourites."
Mokhtar said that while Anderson always did well in the Champion Schools, they found it tough to transfer their form to the JHL.
"This is due to the fact that we can only utilise players who are still in school," said Mokhtar, who has coached Anderson in the JHL since 1997.
"The clubsides have an advantage as they can field older players. Still, I am hoping for better fortune this time around."
FRIDAY -- Division Two: BJSS v TNB (6pm); Tun Razak Stadium); MBPJ v MSN Malacca (8pm); Tun Razak Stadium); Kijang Mas v MSJ MPBP (5pm); Kuala Terengganu); OLAK v Anderson (5pm); Pandamaran Stadium); BPSS v BJSS Jnr (5pm); BPSS Stadium); Setapak High v BPSS Jnr (6pm); Kuala Lumpur Hockey Stadium).
Division Three: Matri v SSP Temerloh (5pm); Kangar); Nur Insafi v MSAB (5pm); Sg Petani Hockey Stadium); MSS Penang v SMKDMT (5pm); USM Stadium); TBSS v SMK PP (5pm); Tampin Stadium); MSS Selangor v MSSPs/PHPs (3pm); Pan damaran Stadium).
SUNDAY -- Division Two: BJSS v Anderson (5pm); Tun Razak Stadium); Kijang Mas v MBPJ (5pm); Kuala Terengganu); MSN Malacca v BJSS Jnr (5pm); Malacca); BPSS v MSJ MPBP (5pm); BPSS Stadium)
Division Three: Nur Insafi v TBSS (5pm); Sg Petani); MSS Penang v MSSPs/PHPs (5pm); USM Stadium); SMKDMT v SSP Temerloh (5pm); Tampin); MSS Selangor v MSAB (3pm); Pandamaran Stadium); SMK PP v MATRI (5pm); Pandamaran Stadium).
