BJSS not impressive in win

BUKIT Jalil Sports School (BJSS) were far from impressive when they edged Ipoh Juniors 2-0 In Division One of the MHF-NSC-Milo Junior Hockey League at the MInistry of Education Stadium yesterday.
The match was scrappy, and Ipoh were equally guilty of not utilising their midfield, but relying heavily on overhead balls.
“Not good, but still better than our opening match against Petaling Jaya (City Council, which they won 2-1) as my boys kept up the pace even though the match was played under scorching weather,” said BJSS coach S. Prakash.
Prakash felt that playing at 4.30pm is not a good idea, and he will make a request to the Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) to play at a later time.
“The weather was fine last week, but just when the JHL started it turned hot in the evenings and playing at 4.30pm is not a good idea.
“I will make a request to MHF and hopefully, they amend the fixtures,” said Prakash.
Almost all the JHL matches have been slated to play at 4.30pm, because the lighting system at some of the stadiums are not up to the mark.
The BJSS goals were scored by Ahmed Iqwan (fifth) and
Haziq Samsul (49th).
Meanwhile, in another Division One match, Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS) hammered Petaling Jaya CC 5-1 at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru.
The BPSS goals were scored by hat-trick hero Firhan Ashaari (21st, 40th, 51st), Shahrusahadan Basri (12th) and Shahril Saabah (50th).
The PJCC scorer was Fata Mutalib (25th).
In a another Division one match at the Terengganu pitch, Kelantan held Anderson 3-3.
The Kelantan goals were scored by Cik Rosmadi Rasol (sixth), Hanif Ropi (37th) and Faiz Haiqal (50th). While the Anderson scorers were Ashran Hamsani (eigtht), Husaini Husin (13th), Ashran Hamsani (64th).
RESULTS: Division One -- BPSS 5 Petaling Jaya CC 1, BJSS 2 Ipoh Juniors 0, UniKL 6 BJSS Juniors 0, Kelantan 3 Anderson 3, Pahang 1 BPSS Juniors 3.
Division Two: Group A -- Matri 0 Datuk Taha 1; Group B: Olak-PKT 1 Perlis 1.

DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
BPSS 2 2 0 0 9 1 6
UniKL 2 2 0 0 9 2 6
BPSS Juniors 2 2 0 0 7 2 6
BJSS 2 2 0 0 4 1 6
Anderson 2 1 1 0 6 5 4
Kelantan 2 0 1 1 4 7 1
Pahang 2 0 0 2 3 6 0
Ipoh Juniors 2 0 0 2 2 5 0
BJSS Juniors 2 0 0 2 0 10 0
PJCC 2 0 0 2 2 7 0


DIVISION TWO
Group A
P W D L F A Pts
Datuk Taha 2 1 1 0 2 1 4
Malacca High 1 1 0 0 5 0 3
Politeknik KPT 1 1 0 0 4 1 3
Penang 1 0 1 0 1 1 1
Matri 2 0 0 2 1 5 0
BPSS-WHPC 1 0 0 1 0 5 0
Sheikh Ahmad 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Group B
P W D L F A Pts
Johor 1 1 0 0 3 1 3
OLAK-PKT 2 0 2 0 2 2 2
Padang Midin 2 0 2 0 1 1 2
MSSWP-KLHC 1 0 1 0 0 0 1
Perlis 2 0 1 1 2 4 1
TBSS Tampin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Penang Frees 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Anderson slow, but steady

A LETHARGIC Anderson School edged Pahang 3-2 in the MHF-NSC-Milo Junior Hockey League Division One match at the Kuantan Stadium yesterday.
Anderson coach Mokhtar Baharuddin, accredited which shaping the future of many national players, blamed the slow start to the long journey to Kuantan.
“We had a slow start in our first JHL match because we only arrived late last night (Friday night) in Kuantan and many of the boys looked tired during the match.
“However, we won and that is what matters most,” said Mokhtar.
Perak has two teams in the JHL, with the other being Ipoh Juniors who impressed in their first match even though they lost 3-2 to favourites UniKL.
“Ipoh Juniors are made up or former Anderson players while we are fielding Form Four and Five boys. We did play against them in the Perak League and the match ended in a draw (2-2).”
Anderson were champions in the Perak League, and will play their home-talent on April 3.
“Our target this year is to play in the semi-finals, and to do that, we will not only have to beat Ipoh, but also do well against the big names like UniKL, and sports schools Bukit Jalil and Bandar Penawar,” said Mokhtar.
Soffian Kamaruddin (32nd, 57th) and Akmal Tajuddin (69th) delivered for Anderson, while the Pahang goals were scored by Rahimi Rasib (48th, 62nd).
In another Division One match, Bandar Penawar Juniors beat Kelantan 4-1 with goals from Najmi Farizal (eighth), Sufi Ismat (12th), Khairol Shafik (13th) and Danial Asyraf 58th)
The Kelantan goal was scored by Hanif Ropi in the 66th minute.
RESULTS: Division One -- Pahang 2 Anderson 3, Kelantan 1 BPSS Juniors 4.
Division Two: Group A -- Malacca High 5 BPSS-WHPC 0; Group B: MSSWP-KLHC 0 Padang Midin 0, Penang 1 Datuk Taha 1.
TODAY: Division One -- BPSS v Petaling Jaya CC (Taman Daya, 4.30pm), BJSS V Ipoh Juniors (Ministry of Education, 5.30pm), UniKL v BJSS juniors (Ministry of Education, 6.30pm), Kelantan v Anderson (Terengganu, 4.30pm), Pa hang v BPSS Juniors (Kuantan, 4.30pm).
Division Two: Group A -- Matri v Datuk Taha (Alor star, 4.30pm); Group B: Olak-PKT v Perlis (Tun Razak Stadium, 4.30pm).

DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
BPSS 1 1 0 0 4 0 3
BPSS Juniors 1 1 0 0 4 1 3
UniKL 1 1 0 0 3 2 3
Anderson 1 1 0 0 3 2 3
BJSS 1 1 0 0 2 1 3
Ipoh Juniors 1 0 0 1 2 3 0
Pahang 1 0 0 1 2 3 0
PJCC 1 0 0 1 1 2 0
Kelantan 1 0 0 1 1 4 0
BJSS Juniors 1 0 0 1 0 4 0

DIVISION TWO
Group A
P W D L F A Pts
Malacca High 1 1 0 0 5 0 3
Politeknik KPT 1 1 0 0 4 1 3
Penang 1 0 1 0 1 1 1
Datuk Taha 1 0 1 0 1 1 1
Matri 1 0 0 1 1 4 0
BPSS-WHPC 1 0 0 1 0 5 0
Sheikh Ahmad 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Group B
P W D L F A Pts
Johor 1 1 0 0 3 1 3
Padang Midin 2 0 2 0 1 1 2
OLAK-PKT 1 0 1 0 1 1 1
MSSWP-KLHC 1 0 1 0 0 0 1
Perlis 1 0 0 1 1 3 0
TBSS Tampin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Penang Frees 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

UniKL fumble before edging Ipoh Juniors

FAVOURITES UniKL acted to a Bollywood movie script when they took a punch before beating a gritty Ipoh Juniors 3-2 in the curtain raiser of the MHF-NSC-Milo Junior Hockey League at the Azlan Shah Stadium yesterday.
Virtually parading their Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) side, UniKL were shocked in the ninth minute when Rasyid Hazar scored off a penalty corner attempt..
However, the early setback was overcome with efforts from Zulhairi Hashim (19th, 31st) and Nor Aqmal Ghaffer (43rd). The other Ipoh goal was scored by Azrul Fazrin in the 62nd minute.
“We expected Ipoh to defend in the early stages, but they shocked my players by playing an attacking game and scoring the first goal instead.
“I salute their grit, and the match turned difficult after that as my players struggled to settle down, but the end result was in favour of us,” said UniKL manager Amir Azhar.
Bukit Jalil Sports School, whose players also just com pleted the MHL fixtures, were also a disappointing lot when they let in a goal, before edging Petaling Jaya City Council 2- 1 at the Ministry of Education pitch.
PJCC took the lead off Syamil Zulkifli off a ninth minute penalty corner, but BJSS sealed the three points with goals from Faridzul Afiq (12th) and Haziq Samsul (20th).
“I am shocked with the level of play today (yesterday) as we missed many sitters and were in the receiving end for no reason.
“We had practiced many set-pieces but my players just failed to execute them, so instead of winning comfortably, we started our campaign on a shaky note,” said BJSS coach S. Prakash whose players will next meet Ipoh Juniors tomorrow (Sunday).
In Division Two, Old Las Sallians Association of Klang (Olak-PKT) also took the lead off Hakim Azarha’s field attempt in the 27th minute, but shared points on a 1-1 score when Luqman Hakim scored for Padang Midin in the 43rd minute.
RESULTS: Division One -- Bandar Penawar SS 4 Bukit Jalil SS Juniors 0, Bukit Jalil SS 2 Petaling Jaya CC 1, Ipoh City Hall Juniors 2 UniKL 3.
Division Two: Group A -- Kedah 4 Matri Perlis 1; Group B: OLAK-PKT 1 Padang Midin 1, Johor 3 Perlis 1.
TODAY: Division One -- Pahang v Anderson (Kuantan, 4.30pm), Kelantan v BPSS Juniors (Terengganu, 4.30pm).
Division Two: Group A -- Malacca High v BPSS-WHPC (Malacca, 4.30pm); Group B: MSSWP-KLHC v Padang Midin (KLHA, 4.30pm).
TOMORROW: Division One -- BPSS v Petaling Jaya CC (Tamapn Daya, 4.30pm), BJSS V Ipoh Juniors (Ministry of Education, 5.30pm), UniKL v BJSS juniors (Ministry of Education, 6.30pm), Kelantan v Anderson (Terengganu, 4.30pm), Pahang v BPSS Juniors (Kuantan, 4.30pm).
Division Two: Group A -- Matri v Datuk Taha (Alor star, 4.30pm); Group B: Olak-PKT v Perlis (Tun Razak Stadium, 4.30pm).

DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
BPSS 1 1 0 0 4 0 3
UniKL 1 1 0 0 3 2 3
BJSS 1 1 0 0 2 1 3
BJSS Juniors 1 0 0 1 0 4 0
PJCC 1 0 0 1 1 2 0
Ipoh Juniors 1 0 0 1 2 3 0
BPSS Juniors 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Kelantan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Anderson 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Pahang 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

DIVISION TWO
Group A
P W D L F A Pts
Politeknik KPT 1 1 0 0 4 1 3
Matri 1 0 0 1 1 4 0
Penang 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sheikh Ahmad 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BPSS-MWHA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Malacca High 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Datuk Taha 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Group B
P W D L F A Pts
Johor 1 1 0 0 3 1 3
Perlis 1 0 0 1 1 3 0
OLAK-PKT 1 0 1 0 1 1 1
Padang Midin 1 0 1 0 1 1 1
TBSS Tampin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Penang Frees 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
MSSWP-KLHC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

OLAK back with PKT Logistics backing

TEN teams will battle for honour in Division One of the Junior Hockey League (JHL) from today, with UniKL the front-runners for a clean sweep of titles.
IN Division Two, which has 14 teams in two groups, there are no clear favourites.
Last season, UniKL finished second behind Bandar Pe nawar Sports School in Division One, but lifted the Overall title when they beat BPSS in the final.
Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) were the disappointment of last season, as after winning 12 titles since 2003, they finished third in Division One and also third in the Overall battle.
BJSS, who made their debut 1995, were double champions five times in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009, and Division One winners twice in 2003 and 2006.
Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak), who only missed last season since making their debut in 1995, are back after sorting out their financial problems.
“We hold the distinction of having won the Division One title in 1997 and were double champions in 1998 and 1999. We also won the overall title in 2000, but could not compete last season due to financial constraints and will now play in Division Two,” said Olak manager Joseph de Silva.
PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd’s managing director Datuk Michael B.Y. Tio chipped in with RM50,000 in cash and kind to help the team make a return.
Coached by Paul Raj, Olak are determined to claw back into Division One this year.
Olak also hold the distinction of being the home of current National No 1 penalty corner flicker Amin Rahim to kick- start his career in the sport.
This season, they will rely on Section 11 Secondary School in Shah Alam, which is a project school for hockey, for players while four players from other states have also been roped in to strengthen the side.
DIVISION ONE -- Bukit Jalil Sports School, Bandar Pe nawar SS-Thunderbolt, UniKL, Petaling Jaya City Council, BJSS Juniors, BPSS Juniors, Kelantan, Anderson, Ipoh City Hall Juniors and Pahang.
DIVISION TWO: Group A -- Penang, Politeknik KPT (Kedah), Datuk Sheikh Ahmad (Perlis), BPSS-MWHA, Malac ca High School, Matri Perlis and Datuk Taha.
Group A: Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak), Tunku Besar Tampin, Penang Free School-MI Juniors, MSSWP- KLHC, Padang Midin (Terengganu), Johor and Perlis.
TODAY: Division One -- Bandar Penawar SS v Bukit Jalil SS Juniors (Taman Daya, 4.30pm), Bukit Jalil SS v Petaling Jaya CC (Ministry of Education, 4.30pm), Ipoh City Hall Juniors v UniKL (Azlan Shah, 4.30pm).
Division Two: Group A -- Kedah v Matri Perlis (Alor Star, 4.30pm).
Group B: Plak v Padang Midin (Tun Razak, 4.30pm), Johor v Perlis (Taman Daya Pitch II, 4.30pm).

Project 2017, Labuan for Razak Cup

Malaysian Hockey Federation deputy president Nor Azmi Ahmad (right) and national corporate affairs manager of F&N Beverages Marketing Sdn Bhd Datuk Kamal Harun at the launch of the Razak Cup logo at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday. — Picture by Fariz Iswadi Ismail.

THE Project 2017 squad and Labuan are the two new teams competing in the 100PLUS Razak Cup which begins with the May 27-July 3 regional qualifiers.
The Project squad, under coach Lim Chiow Chuan, are the national Under-16 team. They have been placed in the Central Zone with defending champions Kuala Lumpur, Perak and Selangor.
Labuan are in the West Zone alongside Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei. This year's Borneo Cup standings will double up as qualifiers for the Razak Cup.
Unlike in previous years, the 49th edition of the Razak Cup will see teams battling it out in their respective zones and then in the final round where the 20 teams will be separated into two divisions.
The top two teams from each of the five zones will play in Division One with the others featuring in Division Two in the final round scheduled for July 21-30.
Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) deputy president Nur Azmi Ahmad said all 16 affiliates have confirmed their entries with the Project 2017 squad, Brunei, Singapore and Labuan playing as invited sides.
"Each team must also register five Under-21 players in their 25-man squad and at least two must play in every match. This is to ensure that teams do not compromise on developing their younger players," said Nur Azmi at the launch of the Razak Cup logo at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
"The Razak Cup has also been moved from Kuantan to Malacca. The hockey pitch in Kuantan is unavailable as it is being refurbished for next year's Malaysia Games.
"Teams will be placed in two groups in both divisions with the top two teams playing in a crossover semi-finals."
Nur Azmi said the new format will help promote the sport on a wider scale.
"The tournament needed a face lift with innovative ideas to sustain and maintain its position as the Premier National Championship in the country, and that's why we introduced a qualifying round this year," he said.
Nur Azmi confirmed teams would earn RM1,000 for every match they play in the regional qualifiers.
"As an incentive, we will also give a grant of RM5,000 to each team who qualify for Division One and RM3,000 for Division Two sides," Nur Azmi added.
Division One champions will receive RM10,000, runners-up RM7,000 and third place RM5,000.
Division Two champions will pocket RM5,000, runners-up RM3,000, third place RM2,000.
THE ZONES -- North: Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Armed Forces.
Central: Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Perak, Project 2017.
South: Johor, Negri Sembilan, Malacca, Singapore.
East: Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Police.
West (Borneo Cup): Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, Labuan.