NEXT weekend will be reckoning week for double cham pions Bukit Jalil Sports School in Division One of the MHF- Milo- NSC Junior Hockey League.
They play an erratic Petaling Jaya City Council on Friday as a warm-up to their crucial encounter against high-riding newcomers UniKL on Sunday.
In their five matches, UniKL has scored 28 goals and let in only five. The double champions, meanwhile have scored 15 and let in one in four matches.
The other contenders for the title this season, Bandar Penawar Sports School Thunderbolt have also been im pressive in their four matches by scoring 25 goals and letting in only three.
Thunderbolt have an easy encounter against Bukit Jalil Sports School Juniors on Friday, where they can be expected to score more than a handful and consolidate their position on the standings.
“The tournament has reached its crucial stage for us as we need to beat PJCC by a good margin, before playing the favourites this season, UniKL,” said BJSS coach S. Prakash.
BJSS have been improving with every match, while UniKL seems to wake up only in the second half in their last three matches.
“We need to play consistent hockey for 70 minutes to beat a team like UniKL and my boys, after a slow start, have regained their scoring touch.
“It will be a close battle, but I expect my players to come out tops so that we still have a fighting chance of winning the title when we play BPSS Thunderbolt on May 14,” said Prakash.
The good news for BJSS, if they beat UniKL, is that Thunderbolt will most likely lose their prolific 19-year-old striker Faizal Saari to the Azlan Shah Cup for the May 14 encounter and it would make their quest to lift the title that much easier, provided they do not stumble against new kids on the block UniKL.
FRIDAY: Division One -- Bukit Jalil Sports School Juniors v Bandar Penawar Sports School Thunderbolt (Kuala Lumpur HA, 5pm), Petaling Jaya City Council v Bukit Jalil Sports School (Tun Razak, 9pm).
Division Two: Pahang v Penang Frees (Kuantan, 5pm), Johor v Matri (Johor Baru, 5pm), Ipoh City Council v Sabah (Azlan Shah, 5pm).
SUNDAY: Division One -- Bukit Jalil Sports School v UniKL (Tun Razak, 8pm), Kelantan v Petaling Jaya City Council (Terengganu), Anderson v Bandar Penawar Sports School Juniors (Azlan Shah, 5pm).
Division Two: Datuk Taha v Ipoh City Council (Tampin, 5pm), Kuala Selangor v Pahang (Pandamaran, 3pm), Sabah v Tunku Besar Secondary School (Pandamaran, 5pm), Johor v Penang Frees (Johor Baru, 5pm).
Monday, April 26, 2010
Japan qualify for World Cup in Argentina
JAPAN beat Azerbaijan 1-0 in the final of BDO Women’s World Cup Qualifier in Kazan due to a last minute goal. Russia took the Bronze medal after a Golden Goal victory over Belarus. Italy finish 5th.Japan v Azerbaijan 1-0 (0-0)
Both teams were very nervous at the beginning. Japan gradually gained control of the game but Azerbaijan had some dangerous counter-attacks through their defenders who were flicking the ball towards their strikers awaiting the ball in midfield. In the first half nobody had a great opportunity to score because both teams defended well. Marina Aliyeva turned up once in the Japanese circle but missed the ball. Japan gained one penalty corner which failed. Before halftime Japan attacked well but Mazuki Arai’s pass did not reach a team-mate.
Japan created two opportunities at the beginning of the second half. A penalty corner shot from Ai Murakami was saved by Azerbaijan goalie Viktoriya Shahbazova and soon after Kaori Chiba was close to scoring but missed the goal. Natsumi Tameto kept the Azerbaijan defenders busy by her dangerous moves in the circle. Meanwhile two short corners of Azerbaijan failed. In the 68th minute Kaori Chiba scored the game winning goal for Japan. She received a pass in the circle and smashed the ball into the goal with a backhand stroke.
1-0 68’ Kaori CHIBA (FG)
2. Azerbaijan
3. Russia
4. Belarus
5. Italy
6. Wales
|
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Australia women hammer Chile 5-0
The Hockeyroos appear on target to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, winning their first game of the World Cup Qualifier event against host nation Chile in Santiago, Chile this morning.
The 5-0 victory will be a huge confidence boost to the Hockeyroos, with Australia controlling the match from the opening whistle.
After generating two penalty corners for no result in the first ten minutes of play, Amy Korner eventually began the proceedings for the Hockeyroos, converting the first goal via their third penalty corner attempt at the 15 minute mark.
The Hockeyroos continued to control the match, scoring their second goal of the match only ten minutes later thanks to Ashleigh Nelson to further extend the Australian lead.
Despite their dominance on the field the Hockeyroos were unable to transfer it to the scoreboard, faced by a determined Chilean team who restricted the Hockeyroos to only two goals in the first half.
It took the Hockeyroos only 8 minutes after half time to add to their goal tally, with Ashleigh Nelson scoring her second goal and ultimately putting the result beyond doubt.
Captain Madonna Blyth scored the Hockeyroos fourth goal only minutes later after an impressive combination from the Australian forwards.
Although they trailed heavily on he scoreboard, Chile remained determined and threw every at Australia in a bid to find their first score. However the Hockeyroos defence lead by Nicole Arrold and goalkeeper Toni Cronk was too strong and ensured the goal sheet remained blank
The Hockeyroos inflicted the final blow with Kate Hollywood scoring their fifth goal at the 55 minute mark.
Despite the determination of the home team the Hockeyroos were never really challenged and will be looking to continue their form throughout the tournament.
Hockeyroos 5 Chile 0 (2-0 half time)
Goals – Aus Korner 15m PC, Nelson 24m FG/ 43m PC, Blyth 51m FG, Hollywood 55m FG.
Hockey Australia media release
The 5-0 victory will be a huge confidence boost to the Hockeyroos, with Australia controlling the match from the opening whistle.
After generating two penalty corners for no result in the first ten minutes of play, Amy Korner eventually began the proceedings for the Hockeyroos, converting the first goal via their third penalty corner attempt at the 15 minute mark.
The Hockeyroos continued to control the match, scoring their second goal of the match only ten minutes later thanks to Ashleigh Nelson to further extend the Australian lead.
Despite their dominance on the field the Hockeyroos were unable to transfer it to the scoreboard, faced by a determined Chilean team who restricted the Hockeyroos to only two goals in the first half.
It took the Hockeyroos only 8 minutes after half time to add to their goal tally, with Ashleigh Nelson scoring her second goal and ultimately putting the result beyond doubt.
Captain Madonna Blyth scored the Hockeyroos fourth goal only minutes later after an impressive combination from the Australian forwards.
Although they trailed heavily on he scoreboard, Chile remained determined and threw every at Australia in a bid to find their first score. However the Hockeyroos defence lead by Nicole Arrold and goalkeeper Toni Cronk was too strong and ensured the goal sheet remained blank
The Hockeyroos inflicted the final blow with Kate Hollywood scoring their fifth goal at the 55 minute mark.
Despite the determination of the home team the Hockeyroos were never really challenged and will be looking to continue their form throughout the tournament.
Hockeyroos 5 Chile 0 (2-0 half time)
Goals – Aus Korner 15m PC, Nelson 24m FG/ 43m PC, Blyth 51m FG, Hollywood 55m FG.
Hockey Australia media release
Sandeep dropped, new blood for India
NEW DELHI: Drag-flicker Sandeep Singh was on Saturday dropped from the 18-member Indian squad for the Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh, Malaysia as selectors chose to infuse new blood in the side.
Also missing from the squad to be captained by Rajpal Singh is another drag-flick specialist Diwakar Ram, as the selectors decided to give chance to some new players in the wake of India's poor performance in the World Cup last month.
Goalkeeper Adrian D' Souza and striker Gurvinder Singh Chandi, who played in the World Cup, also failed to find a place in the squad for from May 6-16 event.
The players were selected after a two-day trial at Balewadi, Pune, which ended on Friday.
The selection trials were attended by Hockey India selectors BP Govinda, Balbir Singh, Madhu Yadav and Sita Mehta and government observers Ajitpal Singh and Zafar Iqbal.
"The selectors and coaches unanimously decided to give a chance to some new promising players in this tournament," a Hockey India release said.
"It has also been decided to put a core management team for all overseas series and tournaments as well as domestic matches. This committee shall comprise coaches, captain and team manager who will decide on the playing composition of the squad before every match," it added.
India are four time champions in this tournament having won the title in 1985, 1991, 1995 and 2009.
The Squad:
Goalkeepers: Sreejesh PR, Bharat Chetri.
Defenders: Sardar Singh, Dhananjay Mahadik, Amit Prabhakar, Rupinder Pal Singh.
Midfielders: Gurbaj Singh, Ravi Pal Singh, Prabodh Tirkey, Bharat Chikara, Vikas Pillay, Danish Mujtaba.
Forwards: Rajpal Singh (Capt), Tushar Khandker, Shivendra Singh, Mandip Antil, Arjun Halappa, Sarvanjit Singh.
Officials: Jose Brasa (Head Coach); Harendra Singh (National Coach); Clarence Lobo (Coach); Gundeep Kumar (Coach)
The Times of India
Also missing from the squad to be captained by Rajpal Singh is another drag-flick specialist Diwakar Ram, as the selectors decided to give chance to some new players in the wake of India's poor performance in the World Cup last month.
Goalkeeper Adrian D' Souza and striker Gurvinder Singh Chandi, who played in the World Cup, also failed to find a place in the squad for from May 6-16 event.
The players were selected after a two-day trial at Balewadi, Pune, which ended on Friday.
The selection trials were attended by Hockey India selectors BP Govinda, Balbir Singh, Madhu Yadav and Sita Mehta and government observers Ajitpal Singh and Zafar Iqbal.
"The selectors and coaches unanimously decided to give a chance to some new promising players in this tournament," a Hockey India release said.
"It has also been decided to put a core management team for all overseas series and tournaments as well as domestic matches. This committee shall comprise coaches, captain and team manager who will decide on the playing composition of the squad before every match," it added.
India are four time champions in this tournament having won the title in 1985, 1991, 1995 and 2009.
The Squad:
Goalkeepers: Sreejesh PR, Bharat Chetri.
Defenders: Sardar Singh, Dhananjay Mahadik, Amit Prabhakar, Rupinder Pal Singh.
Midfielders: Gurbaj Singh, Ravi Pal Singh, Prabodh Tirkey, Bharat Chikara, Vikas Pillay, Danish Mujtaba.
Forwards: Rajpal Singh (Capt), Tushar Khandker, Shivendra Singh, Mandip Antil, Arjun Halappa, Sarvanjit Singh.
Officials: Jose Brasa (Head Coach); Harendra Singh (National Coach); Clarence Lobo (Coach); Gundeep Kumar (Coach)
The Times of India
Japan-Azerbaijan in gold rush
Japanese Kaori Chiba scores the second goal in their 2-0 win against Azerbaijan in the pool match. Both the teams will play in the final for the single ticket to Argentina World Cup.Azerbaijan defeated Italy 3-1 due to a great finish and qualified for the final against Japan at BDO Women's World Cup Qualifier in Kazan.
Belarus beat Wales 4-1 and play for the Bronze Medal against Russia who dew 2-2 with Japan. Italy and Wales compete for rank 5.
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