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THE NSC-Milo-MHC Junior Hockey League is at the mid- way stage, but still, the scouts are finding it difficult to identify new talent.
And that’s why Project 2013 coach K. Dharmaraj (pic) has thrown the under-19 players a challenge -- play in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) if you want to impress him.
Right now, established players, who have been selected for the Project 2013 and 2017 squads, are the ones who are keeping the League alive in three Division One teams.
Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI), UniKL Young Guns and Petaling Jaya City Council are involved in an intense battle for the Division One League title as they have the lions share of the project players.
The other teams are struggling simply because their players are still raw,
“I have been watching the Division One matches and the conclusion is that there are no new talent to join the national juniors training. The present players from the 2013 and 2017 project squads are the one who are keeping their teams afloat.
“And my advise to those who want to make an impact, is to try and impress the MHL clubs and play in the senior league.
“if they can survive, or even hold themselves well in the MHL, then they warrant a call-up to the national juniors training squad,” said Dharmaraj.
The national juniors, 25-strong, are in training for the Junior World Cup in India in December, and they commute between JHL matches and training under Dharmaraj during weekdays.
“I am happy to release them for the JHL as they get match practice, while I work on their physical and mental side when they come to me,” said Dharmaraj.
Citing and example, Dharmaraj said one of the btter players in the JHL now is Shahril Saabah who is with SSTMI, because he has seen action in the MHL with Tenaga Nasional last season.
“But even he found the going tough in TNB playing against the big boys, bit he survived and is now holding court in SSSTMI. That is what I want from those who aspire to break into the Junior World Cup training squad from the outside.
“I am willing to provide names to MHL clubs who are looking for youth, as it will benefit the country in the long run,” said Dharmaraj.
RESULTS: Division One -- Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS Juniors 1 Malacca
High School 1, UniKL 8 Andersons 0, Petaling Jaya CC 2 USM 1.
Division Two: Group A -- Nur Insafi 0 Kedah HA Juniors 5, STAR 1 1Mas Penang 0, Perlis 6 Matrix 2.
Group B: Bukit Jalil SS Juniors 2 Kuala Langat 3, Politeknik KPT 6 Tunku Besar Secondary School 1.
PETALING Jaya City Council (PJCC) edged Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) 2-1 for their fifth consecutive win to top Division One of the NSC-Milo-MHC Junior Hockey League yesterday.
However, the win was not an impressive one, as PJCC were hardly in the match as they toyed around with USM at the second pitch at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
At the adjacent pitch, UniKL Young Guns hammered Andersons 8-0 to keep pace with PJCC.
USM took the lead off Rahimi Iskandar in the 24th minute, but Shahiram Zali gave PJCC a lifeline with a penalty corner conversion in the 27th minute, while Ahmad Iqwan nailed the winner in the 50th minute.
The UniKL goals were scored by Haziq Samsul (sixth), Syafiq Zulzairin (18th), Fitri Ismail (23rd, 26th), Izzat Ikmal (48th), Hafif Elkan (59th), Ashran Hamsani (63rd) and Azrul Hasbullah (67th).
"We only have two more matches against Malacca High School (Saturday) and SSTMI (Sunday), and for sure, we need to keep up the winning momentum to snatch the League title. There is little room for mistakes for the next 140 minutes, and I feel my players are up to it," said PJCC team manager Zanal Abidin.
However even though PJCC won both their matches this wekend, it was a struggle as they came back from one goal down to beat Andersons and USM 2-1.
"The eight goals were a super show from my players, but goals no longer count as we need to win all our remaining matches and hope that the leaders (PJCC) drop points when they play SSTMI.
"But if PJCC beat SSTMI, the league title will be all theirs, and we will be fighting for the second spot," said UniKL team manager Faiz Isa.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
PJCC 5 5 0 0 9 4 15
UniKL 5 4 0 1 24 5 12
SSTMI 3 3 0 0 16 0 9
Malacca HS 4 1 2 1 7 15 5
Anderson 4 1 1 2 6 13 4
SSTMI Jnrs 5 1 1 3 6 16 4
USM-MSSSPP 3 0 0 3 2 8 0
BJSS 5 0 0 5 3 12 0
GROUP A
P W D L F A Pts
Kelantan 5 5 0 0 19 5 15
Kedah HA Jnrs 7 3 3 1 14 6 12
STAR Ipoh 5 3 1 1 5 7 10
1Mas Penang 5 3 0 2 12 5 9
Perlis 4 2 1 1 15 9 7
Anderson Jnrs 4 2 1 1 9 6 7
Matri 5 1 1 3 5 13 4
SERATAS 5 0 1 4 1 10 1
Nur Insafi 6 0 0 6 1 20 0
GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
KLSS 5 5 0 0 20 6 15
OLAK 6 4 0 2 14 5 12
K Langat 7 4 0 3 10 28 12
Datuk Taha 6 3 1 2 17 5 10
TM Pahang 6 3 1 2 16 11 10
Poli KPT 4 3 0 1 15 4 9
TBSS 7 3 0 4 14 17 9
Johor HA 5 1 0 4 8 16 3
BJSS Jnrs 5 1 0 4 5 19 3
SMKPM 5 0 0 5 9 18 0
UNIKL Young Guns beat Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) 4-1 in Division One of the NSC-Milo-MHC Junior Hockey League to keep the league alive at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
And Petaling Jaya City Council (PJCC) also kept the pressure on double champions Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI), by topping the standings after they beat Andersons 2-1.
But it is only expected to be a temporary high for PJCC, because SSTMI are not slated to play any matches this weekend.
However, PJCC were made to sweat for their win as it was Andersons who drew first blood when Sofian Kamaruddin scored in the fifth minute, but PJCC came back into the picture with a goal from Shahiram Zali in the seventh, and Nazirul Mubin (54th)
As for UniKL Azrul Hasbullah (sixth), Haziq Samsul (31st, 34th), Meor Azuan (39th) made it count while the USM goal was scored by Rahimi Iskandar in the seventh minute.
UniKL coach manager Faiz Isa said the win was crucial, as they still can make an attempt to win the League title this season.
"It was a rather hesitant start as the pitch conditions were heavy after heavy rain. But we really should have scored more goals as that could well decide where the league title heads," said Faiz.
"We were scrappy in this match and need to be sharper in the semi circle. But credit must be given to our opponents for fighting hard for every ball.
"It will be another tough match tomorrow (today) as Anderson are an experienced side as well and could trouble us if we do not take our chances.
"There is still everything to play for as far as we are concerned and the defeat to PJCC (1-0) is long forgotten. We have an outside chance to win the title and in order to keep that hopes alive we need to keep on winning matches and let our match against SSTMI be the decider."
UniKL were double silver medallists last season, as they played bridesmaid on both occasions to SSTMI.
In Division Two, Group B, the Kuala Lumpur Sports School versus Kuala Langat match was abandoned after torrential rain flooded the Education Ministry pitch at Pantai.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
PJCC 4 4 0 0 7 3 12
SSTMI 3 3 0 0 16 0 9
UniKL 4 3 0 1 16 5 9
Anderson 3 1 1 1 6 5 4
Malacca HS 3 1 1 1 6 14 4
SSTMI Jnrs 4 1 0 3 5 15 3
USM-MSSSPP 2 0 0 2 1 6 0
BJSS 5 0 0 5 3 12 0
GROUP A
P W D L F A Pts
Kelantan 5 5 0 0 19 5 15
1Mas Penang 4 3 0 1 12 4 9
Kedah HA Jnrs 6 2 3 1 9 6 9
Anderson Jnrs 4 2 1 1 9 6 7
STAR Ipoh 4 2 1 1 4 7 7
Perlis 3 1 1 1 9 7 4
Matri 4 1 1 2 3 7 4
SERATAS 5 0 1 4 1 10 1
Nur Insafi 5 0 0 5 1 15 0
GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
KLSS 5 5 0 0 20 6 15
OLAK 6 4 0 2 14 5 12
Datuk Taha 6 3 1 2 17 5 10
TM Pahang 6 3 1 2 16 11 10
TBSS 6 3 0 3 13 10 9
K Langat 6 3 0 3 7 26 9
Poli KPT 3 2 0 1 9 3 6
BJSS Jnrs 4 1 0 3 3 16 3
Johor HA 5 1 0 4 8 16 3
SMKPM 5 0 0 5 9 18 0
RESULTS: Division One -- Petaling Jaya CC 2 Andersons 1, UniKL 4 USM 1.
Division Two: Group A -- Matri 1 Nur Insafi 0, Anderson Juniors 3 1Mas Penang 0.
Group B: Kuala Lumpur SS v Kuala Langat (Match abandoned, rain), Johor HA 2 Tunku Besar Secondary School 1.
TODAY: Division One -- Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS Juniors v Malacca High School (Taman Daya, 5pm), UniKL v Andersons (National Stadium I, 5pm), Petaling Jaya CC v USM (National Stadium II, 5pm).
Division Two: Group A -- Nur Insafi v Kedah HA Juniors (Sungai Petani, 5pm), SERATAS v Anderson Juniors (Azlan Shah,5pm), STAR v 1Mas Penang (Azlan Shah, 7pm), Perlis v Matri (Alor Star, 5pm).
Group B: Bukit Jalil SS Juniors v Kuala Langat (Ministry of Education, 5pm), Politeknik KPT v Tunku Besar Secondary School (Taman Daya, 5pm).
DOUBLE champions Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) are sitting pretty at the top of Division One after three wins, and could land the NSC-Milo-MHC Junior Hockey League league title while on a three-week vacation.
The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) competitions committee gave SSTMI a three-week holiday after playing three consecutive matches in the first week of the season, and now, their nearest rivals could hand them the title this weekend.
Petaling Jaya City Council (PJCC) who also have nine points, play two matches against Andersons and then Universiti Sains Malaysia, while third-placed UniKL, on six points, play USM and then Andersons.
And if PJCC and UniKL drop points, it will be music to the ears of table toppers SSTMI as the league title would be theirs while on vacation.
UniKL shed three points when they succumbed to a final minute goal against PJCC at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil last week. And that defeat was a bitter blow to their title hopes.
“Over the week the mood has been rather sombre at training as the players came to terms that they let slip the points due to poor finishing and in their eagerness to score which left a gap that PJCC exploited," said UniKL team manager Faiz Isa.
“Simply put we just cannot afford to drop even one point even though we have tough matches this weekend. Both USM and Andersons have players that have had the experience of playing in the MHL over the years.
“Hence there is no question of taking things for granted as I am well aware that UniKL are the team that all aspire to beat and we must be wary of this fact. The PJCC defeat was a timely wake up call, and I urge the players to respond with a polished display over the weekend,” said Faiz.
PJCC coach Azlan Saufi Hafifi also knows the score: “We finally beat UniKL for the first time since they made their JHL debut and it was exhilarating for my players. However, we can’t afford to even lost once in our remaining four matches to lift the title.”
While the battle for the Division One title boils down to three teams, it is a hot battle for the top two spots in each of the two pools in Division Two.
In Group A, Kelantan are at the top with 15 points, and trailing them on nine points are 1Mas Penang who have nine points after three matches, the same as Kedah Juniors, who have played six matches.
Group B has some six teams still within a chance to finish amongst the top two. Kuala Lumpur Sports School are unbeaten with 15 points from five matches and in second spot are Olak-PKT who have 12 points.
However Datuk Taha and Tunas Muda Pahang (10 points each) as well as Tunku Besar Secondary School and Kuala Langat, who have nine points each, are within striking distance.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI 3 3 0 0 16 0 9
PJCC 3 3 0 0 5 2 9
UniKL 3 2 0 1 12 4 6
Anderson 2 1 1 0 5 3 4
Malacca HS 3 1 1 1 6 14 4
SSTMI Jnrs 4 1 0 3 5 15 3
USM-MSSSPP 1 0 0 1 0 2 0
BJSS 5 0 0 5 3 12 0
GROUP A
P W D L F A Pts
Kelantan 5 5 0 0 19 5 15
1Mas Penang 3 3 0 0 12 1 9
Kedah HA Jnrs 6 2 3 1 9 6 9
STAR Ipoh 4 2 1 1 4 7 7
Perlis 3 1 1 1 9 7 4
Anderson Jnrs 3 1 1 1 6 6 4
Matri 3 0 1 2 2 7 1
SERATAS 5 0 1 4 1 10 1
Nur Insafi 4 0 0 4 1 14 0
GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
KLSS 5 5 0 0 20 6 15
OLAK 6 4 0 2 14 5 12
Datuk Taha 6 3 1 2 17 5 10
TM Pahang 6 3 1 2 16 11 10
TBSS 5 3 0 2 12 8 9
K Langat 6 3 0 3 7 26 9
Poli KPT 3 2 0 1 9 3 6
BJSS Jnrs 4 1 0 3 3 16 3
SMKPM 5 0 0 5 9 18 0
Johor HA 4 0 0 4 6 15 0
TODAY: Division One -- Petaling Jaya CC v Andersons (National Stadium I, 7pm), UniKL v USM (National Stadium II, 7pm).
Division Two: Group A -- Matri v Nur Insafi (Alor Star, 5pm), Anderson Juniors v 1Mas Penang (Azlan Shah, 5pm).
Group B: Olak PKT v Bukit Jalil SS Juniors (National Stadium I, 5pm), Kuala Lumpur SS v Kuala Langat (National Stadium II, 5pm), Johor HA v Tunku Besar Secondary School (Taman Daya, 5pm).
TOMORROW: Division One -- Tengku Mahkota Ismail SS Juniors v Malacca High School (Taman Daya, 5pm), UniKL v Andersons (National Stadium I, 5pm), Petaling Jaya CC v USM (National Stadium II, 5pm).
Division Two: Group A -- Nur Insafi v Kedah HA Juniors (Sungai Petani, 5pm), SERATAS v Anderson Juniors (Azlan Shah,5pm), STAR v 1Mas Penang (Azlan Shah, 7pm), Perlis v Matri (Alor Star, 5pm).
Group B: Bukit Jalil SS Juniors v Kuala Langat (Ministry of Education, 5pm), Politeknik KPT v Tunku Besar Secondary School (Taman Daya, 5pm).
BUKIT Jalil Sports School (BJSS) were once masters of the Junior Hockey League as they romped away with seven consecutive league titles from 2003 to 2009.
They also hold a record five double titles won in 2004, 05, 07, 08 and 09.
But today, they are the punching bag of the ongoing NSC-Milo-MHC JHL as hey have been beaten five times in as many matches, with only two matches remaining in their season against Universiti Sains Malaysia and Anderson of Ipoh.
And even if they win both, the currently bottom played BJSS are highly likely to miss the knock-out overall quarter-finals which will see the top-six in Division One and the champions of Group A and Group B in Division Two playing.
BJSS has only scored three goals, and have let in 12 in their disastrous season.
BJSS coach S. Prakash said this is a team for the future, and their season has been one of near misses.
“We have lost four matches by one goal each time, while only UniKL hit us for 6-1. It is not what we are capable of, but still, my players are all eligible to play next year and so I feel this is a team for the future.
“However, having said that, we always lose our From Five Boys once they finish their examinations because they are scouted by other teams who offer them playing contracts.
“On the other hand, the school can only offer them education. So, naturally many of them leave for other teams who can afford to pay them.
“I’m not complaining about that because the players are free to leave after finishing their schooling with us, but that is one of the main factors that we can no longer match our proud history as pre-university boys no longer want to play for us,” said Prakash.
The fixtures have also been unkind to BJSS, as they are the only team in Division One who has played five matches, while the others have played only three, with Anderson just two matches, while University Sains Malaysia only one match at this juncture.
“We have been given a crazy fixture this season, and I have always advocated an open draw to make matters fair for al teams. But I don’t wan’t to argue about that with the MHC (Malaysian Hockey Confederation) as they can see for themselves how unfair the fixtures are for some teams, while others get a rosy fixture with plenty of rest in between,” said Prakash.
And over to the top, the League title is almost as good as Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports Schools’ after pretenders UniKL Young Guns lost 1-0 to Petaling Jaya City Council on Saturday.
SSTMI, tied on nine points, play PJCC on Feb 3, and a win would almost assure them of the League title before they square off against UniKL Young Guns on the final day of the League on Feb 7.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI 3 3 0 0 16 0 9
PJCC 3 3 0 0 5 2 9
UniKL 3 2 0 1 12 4 6
Anderson 2 1 1 0 5 3 4
Malacca HS 3 1 1 1 6 14 4
SSTMI Jnrs 4 1 0 3 5 15 3
USM-MSSSPP 1 0 0 1 0 2 0
BJSS 5 0 0 5 3 12 0
GROUP A
P W D L F A Pts
Kelantan 5 5 0 0 19 5 15
1Mas Penang 3 3 0 0 12 1 9
Kedah HA Jnrs 6 2 3 1 9 6 9
STAR Ipoh 4 2 1 1 4 7 7
Perlis 3 1 1 1 9 7 4
Anderson Jnrs 3 1 1 1 6 6 4
Matri 3 0 1 2 2 7 1
SERATAS 5 0 1 4 1 10 1
Nur Insafi 4 0 0 4 1 14 0
GROUP B
P W D L F A Pts
KLSS 5 5 0 0 20 6 15
OLAK 6 4 0 2 14 5 12
Datuk Taha 6 3 1 2 17 5 10
TM Pahang 6 3 1 2 16 11 10
TBSS 5 3 0 2 12 8 9
K Langat 6 3 0 3 7 26 9
Poli KPT 3 2 0 1 9 3 6
BJSS Jnrs 4 1 0 3 3 16 3
SMKPM 5 0 0 5 9 18 0
Johor HA 4 0 0 4 6 15 0
