It's a close call for BJSS

By Ajitpal Singh

BUKIT Jalil Sports School (BJSS) lived dangerously, squandering their
lead with just three minutes on the clock which forced extra time and
then penalties but they were not to be denied the overall title of the
Malaysian Hockey League (Under-19) at the National Hockey Stadium in
Bukit Jalil yesterday.
  BJSS won the title defeating Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS) 5-4 in
sudden-death penalty strokes.
  For BJSS coach S. Prakash, it was the most difficult match his team had
played this season.
  "We had just three minutes to defend when BPSS found their equaliser.
The penalty strokes could have gone either way and BPSS should have
finished us then when they held the advantage in their fifth attempt,"
said Prakash in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
  The win also means that BJSS have done the double (league and overall
title) five times since the 2004 season.
  BPSS drew first blood through captain Amir Farid Fuzi's strike in the
sixth minute but Faridzul Afiq Mohamad leveled the score seven minutes
later.
  Muhd Noor Faeez Ibrahim, the tournament's top scorer, regained the lead
for BPSS off a penalty corner attempt in the 27th minute.
  BJSS came alive in the second half and quickly equalised through
defender Hairulnizam Maizan in the 43rd.
  And the defending champions took a 3-2 lead when striker Dangerous Lee
fired home from close range in the 63rd minute.
  BJSS then decided to sit in their own half and this allowed their
opponents to push forward harder and were duly rewarded in the 67th
minute when Muhd Nor Faeez's low drive off a penalty corner set-piece
went passed BJSS goalkeeper Hazrul Faiz Ahmad Sobri to force the match
into extra time.
  In the penalty shoot-out, BJSS and BPSS were deadlocked 4-4 and went
into sudden death.
  Dangerous had little problem converting his flick to give BJSS a 5-4
lead.
  BPSS needed to score in their attempt but Muhd Noor Faeez sent his
flick well wide to give BJSS the title.
  Earlier, Tenaga Nasional hammered Petaling Jaya City Council 4-0 for
the bronze medal.
  Roll of Honour - Division Two Champions: Bukit Jalil Sports School
(RM10,000); runners-up: Bandar Penawar Sports School (RM7,000); Third:
Tenaga Nasional (RM3,000).
  Division Three Champions: Nur Insafi (RM7,000); runners-up: Temerloh
(RM3,000).
  Overall Champions: Bukit Jalil Sports School (RM20,000); runners-up:
Bandar Penawar Sports School (RM10,000); Third: Tenaga Nasional
(RM7,000); Fourth: Petaling Jaya City Council (RM5,000).
  Player of the Tournament: Muhd Noor Faeez Ibrahim (BPSS); Best Player
of Final: Muhd Taufik Abdul Hamid (BPSS); Top Scorer: Muhd Noor Faeez
Ibrahim (15 goals); Best Goalkeeper: Muhd Hafizuddin Othman (BPSS).