LEAGUE champions Ernst & Young struggled before col lecting three points in their 2-1 win against Sapura in Division One of the Malaysia Hockey League yesterday.
Ernst & Young, who hammered Nur Insafi 10-0 in their MHL curtain raiser on Friday, failed to live up to ex pectations, especially in the first 20 minutes of the second half.
Baljit Singh gave Ernst & Young, who are virtually the national team, some breathing space when he converted a 35th minute penalty corner.
But after the hooter, the seasoned players in Sapura dominated, and snatched an equaliser in the 55th minute off their South Korean import Kim Jung Chul.
Ernst & Young were under tremendous pressure after that, but Kelvinder Singh snatched the winner with a 63rd minute deflection.
In another Division One match, TNB Cup champions Tenaga Nasional edged Nur Insafi 3-1.
Tenaga got their goals off Fazreen Ekhsan ( 12th), Tajol Rosli (34th) and Amin Rahim (65th). Mamunur Rahman (32nd) and Prem Kumar (69th), both India imports, scored for Nur Insafi.
Ernst & Young team manager George Koshy was a relieved man: “It was a close game because the heavy rain made the pitch heavy, and it did not suit my players who are fast with the ball.
“But then, the three points took us closer to defending our League title, so no complaints,” said George.
Former international K. Embaraj, said his team played in patches.
“I was a good and entertaining hockey match, with the firsthalf dominated by E&Y but we came back strongly after the breather. I believe we will get better as the League progresses,” said Embaraj.
RESULTS -- Division One: Tenaga Nasional 3 Nur Insafi 2, National Juniors 2 Maybank 3, Ernst & Young 2 Sapura 1.
Division Two: Bandar Panawar SS 5 UNIMAP 0, Dolphins 1 Bukit Jalil SS 1, JLJD 2 Alam Shah School 3, Border Forces Club 1 Royal Malay Regiment 4.
STANDINGS
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
Ernst & Young 2 2 0 0 12 1 6
Tenaga 2 2 0 0 6 3 6
Maybank 2 1 0 1 4 4 3
Sapura 2 1 0 1 2 4 3
National Juniors 2 0 0 2 3 6 0
Nur Insafi 2 0 0 2 2 13 0
DIVISION TWO
P W D L F A Pts
Bandar Penawar 2 2 0 0 10 3 6
Alam Shah 2 2 0 0 9 4 6
Malay Regiment 2 1 0 1 4 4 3
Bukit Jalil 2 1 1 0 4 1 3
Dolphins 2 0 2 0 4 4 2
UiTM 1 0 1 0 3 3 1
JLJD 2 0 0 2 5 8 0
Border Forces 2 0 0 2 3 10 0
UNIMAP 1 0 0 1 0 5 0
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Tengku Abdullah remains elusive
THEY came with high hopes, but went home with more questions than answers when Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad did not make a concrete stand, and neither did he name his first-11 for the Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) elections on Nov 1.Tengku Abdullah listened attentively, and also took notes, when he allowed everyone in the 50-strong quorum made up of state delegates, MHF incumbents, former internationals and former sports writers to state their views in a forum-like atmosphere yesterday.
But in the end, when his turn came to make a stand, Tengku Abdullah said: “I have positions in many sports associations and very little time to spare, so I offer myself as a Royal Patron to the MHF.
“I have not made up my mind on becoming the president, but if all of you feel that there should be changes in the MHF, look for an alternative, and if there is no one, you can look me up again. That is as fair a judgement I can make today.”
There was confusion in the room, as Tengku Abdullah’s statement was open to many interpretations.
In his opening remark, the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang revealed that former MHF president Sultan Azlan Shah was the first to suggest that he helm the MHF.
“The first to suggest to me that I become president was Sultan Azlan Shah when we met recently, but I just kept quiet because I did not think anything about it. But then, he sent a message through someone asking me to consider the po sition.
“I have yet to make up my mind, and even if I do say yes, I will need help from everyone to start the grassroots moving again.
“The present president and deputy president have run the organisation in their own way, and so I am not ‘jual mahal’ (playing hard to get). I am shallow in hockey, unlike soccer, and I do not want to disappoint all if I fail to live up to your expectations,” saif Tengku Abdullah.
All the states were represented at the dialogue, but none came with any constructive ideas on how to help hockey and to bring in more money.
The states were more sore with the parent body for not providing grants, as their coffers were also empty, and no development could be carried out.
And those who were expecting Tengku Abdullah to take out his magic wand and shower them with funds, went home the most disappointed.
Nominations close on Oct 25, and candidates have until Oct 29 to withdraw from the race. But after yesterday’s no stand from Tengku Abdullah, the first to pull out was Kuala Lumpur HA’s nominee for the secretary’s post, Johnson Fernandez.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Ernst & Young hammer 10 past Nur Insafi
LEAGUE Champions Ernst & Young got off to a rousing start in
deffence their title when they hammered Penang-Nur Insafi 10-0 in
Division One of the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) yesterday. The match, played at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit
Jalil, was a one-sided affair from the first whistle, and Ernst &
Young, with 12 national players in their fold, scored at will. Nur Insafi had nine import players, seven from India and two
from Bangladesh, but the foreign legion were a lost lot. The
Penang team were forced to defend for the majority of the match,
and are expected to face another torrid time against Tenaga
Nasional tomorrow. Ismail Abu opened the floodgates in the second minute and went
on to nothch his hat-trick with goals in the 30th and 47th
minutes, while the other scorers for Ernst & Young were Chua Boon
Huat (fourth, 35th), Baljit Singh (12th), Azlan Misron (15th),
Craig Joseph Fernandez (36th), Azli Misron (62nd) and Nabil Fiqri
(65th). At the Kuala Lumpur HA Stadium, TNB-Cup champions Tenaga
Nasional beat National Juniors 3-1 in an entertaining match. The Juniors, preparing for the Junior World Cup next year, will
next face Maybank, where they look good for three points. Tenaga got their goals off Fitri Abu Bakar (second),
Sallehuddin Ghani (55th) and Mahinder Singh (63rd). Marhan Jalil
scored for National Juniors in the 64th minute. "There were some close moments, and we had the chances but blew
them. However, I am not disappointed with their effort, and the
score indicates that they will improve as the league progresses,"
said Juniors coach K. Rajan. In another Division One match, Sapura survived by the
skin-of-their teeth when they edged Maybank 2-1. Maybank took the lead in the 18th minute off a Suhaimi Ibrahim
field goal, but South Korean import Song Seung Tae delivered for
Sapura with a 25th minute field goal. The winner was delivered by Redza Maadun in the 32nd minute. RESULTS -- Division One: Tenaga Nasional 3 National Juniors 1,
Ernst and Young 10 Nur Insafi 1, Maybank 1 Sapura 2. Division Two: Dolphins 3 UiTM 3, JLJ 3 Bandar Penawar SS 1,
Royal Malay Regiment x Bukit Jalil SS x. TODAY -- Division Two: Border Forces Club v Sultan Alam Shah
School (Terengganu, 5pm), Bandar Penawar SS v UNIMAP (National
Stadium, 5pm). TOMORROW -- Division One: Tenaga Nasional v Nur Insafi (KLHA
Stadium, 5pm), National Juniors v Maybank (National Stadium,
Pitch II, 5pm), Ernst & Young v Sapura (National Stadium, Pitch
I, 5pm). Division Two: Bandar Penawar SS v UNIMAP (Bandar Penawar, 5pm),
Dolphins v Bukit Jalil SS (Lumut, 5pm), JLJD v Sultan Alam Shah
School (Tun Razak Stadium, 5pm), Border Forces Club v Malay Regiment (Terengganu, 5pm).
deffence their title when they hammered Penang-Nur Insafi 10-0 in
Division One of the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) yesterday. The match, played at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit
Jalil, was a one-sided affair from the first whistle, and Ernst &
Young, with 12 national players in their fold, scored at will. Nur Insafi had nine import players, seven from India and two
from Bangladesh, but the foreign legion were a lost lot. The
Penang team were forced to defend for the majority of the match,
and are expected to face another torrid time against Tenaga
Nasional tomorrow. Ismail Abu opened the floodgates in the second minute and went
on to nothch his hat-trick with goals in the 30th and 47th
minutes, while the other scorers for Ernst & Young were Chua Boon
Huat (fourth, 35th), Baljit Singh (12th), Azlan Misron (15th),
Craig Joseph Fernandez (36th), Azli Misron (62nd) and Nabil Fiqri
(65th). At the Kuala Lumpur HA Stadium, TNB-Cup champions Tenaga
Nasional beat National Juniors 3-1 in an entertaining match. The Juniors, preparing for the Junior World Cup next year, will
next face Maybank, where they look good for three points. Tenaga got their goals off Fitri Abu Bakar (second),
Sallehuddin Ghani (55th) and Mahinder Singh (63rd). Marhan Jalil
scored for National Juniors in the 64th minute. "There were some close moments, and we had the chances but blew
them. However, I am not disappointed with their effort, and the
score indicates that they will improve as the league progresses,"
said Juniors coach K. Rajan. In another Division One match, Sapura survived by the
skin-of-their teeth when they edged Maybank 2-1. Maybank took the lead in the 18th minute off a Suhaimi Ibrahim
field goal, but South Korean import Song Seung Tae delivered for
Sapura with a 25th minute field goal. The winner was delivered by Redza Maadun in the 32nd minute. RESULTS -- Division One: Tenaga Nasional 3 National Juniors 1,
Ernst and Young 10 Nur Insafi 1, Maybank 1 Sapura 2. Division Two: Dolphins 3 UiTM 3, JLJ 3 Bandar Penawar SS 1,
Royal Malay Regiment x Bukit Jalil SS x. TODAY -- Division Two: Border Forces Club v Sultan Alam Shah
School (Terengganu, 5pm), Bandar Penawar SS v UNIMAP (National
Stadium, 5pm). TOMORROW -- Division One: Tenaga Nasional v Nur Insafi (KLHA
Stadium, 5pm), National Juniors v Maybank (National Stadium,
Pitch II, 5pm), Ernst & Young v Sapura (National Stadium, Pitch
I, 5pm). Division Two: Bandar Penawar SS v UNIMAP (Bandar Penawar, 5pm),
Dolphins v Bukit Jalil SS (Lumut, 5pm), JLJD v Sultan Alam Shah
School (Tun Razak Stadium, 5pm), Border Forces Club v Malay Regiment (Terengganu, 5pm).
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Race to the wire for Malaysian Hopeless Federation (MHF)
COMMENT
By Jugjet Singh
ONE understands the intense interest in the UMNO President and deputy president’s race, but on a micro scale, it is mind boggling why anyone would be interested to become Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) office-bearers.
UMNO paves the way for the next Malaysian Prime Minister and deputy Prime Minister, while those who are elected to become the president, deputy president and vice-presidents of the MHF will inherit empty coffers and a team which is ranked 15th in the world.
The elected president and his men will have to slog and sweat more than their team on the pitch to fill the coffers, and revive the sport in the country.
The ‘old players’ in MHF are president Tan Sri (rtd) Anwar Mohd Nor and his deputy Tunku Majid Sultan Iskandar, but if the grapevine is spot-on, then massive changers are in store after Saturday.
That is when Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad will meet MHF incumbents and delegates from states, after which he is expected to decide whether he wants to become the next president of the MHF.
Tengku Abdullah is highly tipped to say ‘yes’ and then name his ‘cabinet’ line-up for states which back him, to nom inate.
And if the grapevine telegraph, which swears it is clicking the gospel truth, has not got its facts twisted in a vile vine, then the race for the deputy president’s post will be a handful.
Kuala Lumpur HA have named their deputy hopeful as Ken Pereira, the former chief operating officer of Sapura, Malac ca will soon be naming Nur Azmi Ahmad and three-term vice-president Dr S.S. Cheema is also tipped to upgrade himself.
And there are many more hopefuls for the No 2 post, with many having personally met Tengku Abdullah with resumes to campaign for their cause.
But the many deputy hopefuls might also silently drop out from the race on Saturday as Tengku Abdullah is expected to name his choice and then it will be plain sailing for the chosen one.
As for the six vice-president’s posts, Sabah and Sarawak name their men as stipulated in the MHF constitution, while four more seats will be up for elections. Here, more than 10 names are expected to be thrown into the frying pan, with only four emerging unburnt.
Then there is the secretary’s post, with the incumbent Sgt Hashim Yusoff also having to work hard to defend his seat. KLHA have named Malay Mail copy editor Johnson Fer nandez as their man, and former MHF secretary T. Para malingam is also said to be interested in making a come- back.
Treasurer S. Sanjilatheeban, with the least exciting port folio as there is not much money to count, but lots of expenditures to account for, surprisingly, is also expected to be challenged.
There are 10 incumbent, and 30 state, Armed Forces and Police votes which will be highly sought after until nom inations close on Oct 25, and the ‘X’ is marked on the ballot papers on Nov 1.
The campaign period is short and sweet, but the cam paigning is already hard, bitter and sometimes below the belt as camps have already sprouted to woo for votes.
Whatever the outcome on Nov 1, new regime sweeps in or the wily old hands are voted in again, two factors are a reality. The elected representatives will have to re-brand the MHF from the hopeless federation it is today, and set a new benchmark on the pitch so that hockey lovers can finally stop referring to the year 1975.
By Jugjet Singh
ONE understands the intense interest in the UMNO President and deputy president’s race, but on a micro scale, it is mind boggling why anyone would be interested to become Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) office-bearers.
UMNO paves the way for the next Malaysian Prime Minister and deputy Prime Minister, while those who are elected to become the president, deputy president and vice-presidents of the MHF will inherit empty coffers and a team which is ranked 15th in the world.
The elected president and his men will have to slog and sweat more than their team on the pitch to fill the coffers, and revive the sport in the country.
The ‘old players’ in MHF are president Tan Sri (rtd) Anwar Mohd Nor and his deputy Tunku Majid Sultan Iskandar, but if the grapevine is spot-on, then massive changers are in store after Saturday.
That is when Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad will meet MHF incumbents and delegates from states, after which he is expected to decide whether he wants to become the next president of the MHF.
Tengku Abdullah is highly tipped to say ‘yes’ and then name his ‘cabinet’ line-up for states which back him, to nom inate.
And if the grapevine telegraph, which swears it is clicking the gospel truth, has not got its facts twisted in a vile vine, then the race for the deputy president’s post will be a handful.
Kuala Lumpur HA have named their deputy hopeful as Ken Pereira, the former chief operating officer of Sapura, Malac ca will soon be naming Nur Azmi Ahmad and three-term vice-president Dr S.S. Cheema is also tipped to upgrade himself.
And there are many more hopefuls for the No 2 post, with many having personally met Tengku Abdullah with resumes to campaign for their cause.
But the many deputy hopefuls might also silently drop out from the race on Saturday as Tengku Abdullah is expected to name his choice and then it will be plain sailing for the chosen one.
As for the six vice-president’s posts, Sabah and Sarawak name their men as stipulated in the MHF constitution, while four more seats will be up for elections. Here, more than 10 names are expected to be thrown into the frying pan, with only four emerging unburnt.
Then there is the secretary’s post, with the incumbent Sgt Hashim Yusoff also having to work hard to defend his seat. KLHA have named Malay Mail copy editor Johnson Fer nandez as their man, and former MHF secretary T. Para malingam is also said to be interested in making a come- back.
Treasurer S. Sanjilatheeban, with the least exciting port folio as there is not much money to count, but lots of expenditures to account for, surprisingly, is also expected to be challenged.
There are 10 incumbent, and 30 state, Armed Forces and Police votes which will be highly sought after until nom inations close on Oct 25, and the ‘X’ is marked on the ballot papers on Nov 1.
The campaign period is short and sweet, but the cam paigning is already hard, bitter and sometimes below the belt as camps have already sprouted to woo for votes.
Whatever the outcome on Nov 1, new regime sweeps in or the wily old hands are voted in again, two factors are a reality. The elected representatives will have to re-brand the MHF from the hopeless federation it is today, and set a new benchmark on the pitch so that hockey lovers can finally stop referring to the year 1975.
Lame duck league hobbles on
THE TNB-Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) will hobble off today with League champions Ernst And Young squaring off against last season’s Division Two champions Penang-Nur Insafi at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
But if one compares the standard of the MHL with that of leagues run in Australia, New Zealand and Europe -- Malaysia will be akin a donkey running among race horses.
With only six teams in Division One, and nine in Division Two, it looks like either clubs are no longer interested in hockey or there is a lack of quality players to form more teams.
The National Juniors, preparing for the Junior World Cup which Malaysia and Singapore will co-host in June 7-21 next year, will also undergo a baptism of fire as they will face a torrid time against TNB-Cup champions Tenaga Nasional.
Ernst and Young, with 12 national players, are the front- runners for both the titles, while their strongest opposition is expected to come from Tenaga, who have six national players including No 1 goalkeeper S. Kumar.
The dark horses in the MHL are Nur Insafi, who have hired two Bangladeshis and seven India players to strengthen their cause. Last season, they had three India players and won the Division Two title.
In Division Two, Bukit Jalil and Bandar Penawar Sports Schools will have their work cut out, as they will be playing against teams which have many seasoned MHL players.
TODAY: Division One -- Tenaga Nasional v National Juniors (KLHA Stadium, 7pm), Ernst and Young v Nur Insafi (National Stadium, 7pm), Maybank v Sapura (Seremban II Stadium, 5pm).
Division Two: Dolphins v UiTM (Lumut, 5pm), JLJ v Bandar Penawar SS (Tun Razak Stadium, 7pm), Royal Malay Reg iment v Bukit Jalil SS (Tun Razak Stadium, 9pm), Border Forces Club v Sultan Alam Shah School (Terengganu, 5pm).
But if one compares the standard of the MHL with that of leagues run in Australia, New Zealand and Europe -- Malaysia will be akin a donkey running among race horses.
With only six teams in Division One, and nine in Division Two, it looks like either clubs are no longer interested in hockey or there is a lack of quality players to form more teams.
The National Juniors, preparing for the Junior World Cup which Malaysia and Singapore will co-host in June 7-21 next year, will also undergo a baptism of fire as they will face a torrid time against TNB-Cup champions Tenaga Nasional.
Ernst and Young, with 12 national players, are the front- runners for both the titles, while their strongest opposition is expected to come from Tenaga, who have six national players including No 1 goalkeeper S. Kumar.
The dark horses in the MHL are Nur Insafi, who have hired two Bangladeshis and seven India players to strengthen their cause. Last season, they had three India players and won the Division Two title.
In Division Two, Bukit Jalil and Bandar Penawar Sports Schools will have their work cut out, as they will be playing against teams which have many seasoned MHL players.
TODAY: Division One -- Tenaga Nasional v National Juniors (KLHA Stadium, 7pm), Ernst and Young v Nur Insafi (National Stadium, 7pm), Maybank v Sapura (Seremban II Stadium, 5pm).
Division Two: Dolphins v UiTM (Lumut, 5pm), JLJ v Bandar Penawar SS (Tun Razak Stadium, 7pm), Royal Malay Reg iment v Bukit Jalil SS (Tun Razak Stadium, 9pm), Border Forces Club v Sultan Alam Shah School (Terengganu, 5pm).
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