PETALING JAYA City Council (PJCC) Tigers beat Univeriti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) Young Guns 2-1 in Division One of the Junior Hockey League Friday.
It was PJCC's first match of the season, and they got their goals off Mahathir Rathuwan (17th) and Nur Asyraf Ishak (33rd) while the UniKL goal was scored by Izzwan Arif (45th).
"We were poor and no excuses for the defeat as we did not play up to mark," conceded UniKL coach Arul Selvaraj.
"We created enough chances but did not convert them and this is one area that I was concerned about.
"As I said PJCC have experienced players, and that was the difference between the two teams."
RESULTS -- Division One: UniKL Young Guns 1 PJCC Tigers 2.
Division Two: Group A -- MSN Young Lions 1 USM 0, USM Juniors 4 MSS Kedah 2, MSSP Stinger 6 MISCF-UFL Penang 0; Group B: MCKK 2 SSMS Resilient 11, Felda Juniors 5 MISCF-UFL 1, Andersons 4 MSSWPKL 1.
Group C: Datuk Bentara Luar 1 TBSS Tampin 2, Datuk Taha 1 SSTMI Juniors 2, MBMB Warriors 9 Young Hurricanes 1.
SATURDAY: Women's Group A: MSN Kedah v CBN (Lela Pahlawan, 5pm), KLSS Wipers v USM Juniors (KLHA, 5pm); Group B: MSSPK v Zaaba (Gunung Rapat, 5pm), USM v Uniten (USM, 5pm).
SUNDAY: Division One -- UniKL Young Guns v Johor Juniors (KLHA, 5pm).
Division Two: Group B -- MSSWPKL v MISCF-UFL (KPM, 5pm), Terengganu Juniors v MCKK (Batu Buruk, 5pm), Felda Juniors v SSMS Resilient (UPSI, 5pm); Group C: TBSS Tampin v Johor Baru HA (Seremban II, 5pm), Young Hurricanes v Datuk Taha (Bukit Serindit, 4pm), MBMB Warriors v Datuk Bentara Luar (Bukit Serindit, 6pm).
Friday, April 7, 2017
Thursday, April 6, 2017
UniKL working on back-to back wins...
UNIVERSITI Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) Young Guns aims to claim full points this weekend in Division One of the Junior Hockey League (JHL).
Being the only Division One team playing Friday and Sunday, while the top guns rest as their players are competing in the Asian Schools tournament in India, UniKL will play PJCC Tigers and then Johor Juniors.
Admitting that his team were raw and inexperienced, UniKL Young Guns coach Arul Selvaraj feels that a proper execution of their game plan could be the difference.
"I believe that PJCC have an experienced team that could make things difficult for us," admitted Arul.
"But three points is what we are after and it boils down to one thing - which team has the stronger desire to win and makes the least mistakes.
"That is why I have spent the larger part of training to focus on our defensive set up as well as penalty corner execution.
"It is never easy playing against a hard running team so we need to have a game plan to neutralise them. While they may have the experience, I want my players to match them in terms of tenacity and determination, as this can overcome our shortcomings," said Arul.
UniKL Young Guns got off to a winning start by defeating BJSS Juniors last week.
And while PJCC did not see action, Johor Juniors defeated Olak-Nur Insafi 3-2 in shootout after the match ended 2-2 in regulation time to collect two points.
Fielding largely players who are Under-16, Johor Juniors are expected to pose another tough challenge as most of their players were exposed to the Malaysia Hockey League.
"Although they are a young team, the fact that they defeated Olak speaks of their ability as a team," cautioned Arul.
FRIDAY -- Division One: UniKL Young Guns v PJCC Tigers (KLHA, 5pm).
Division Two: Group A -- MSN Young Lions v USM (Syed Putra, 5pm), USM Juniors v MSS Kedah (USM, 5pm), MSSP Stinger v MISCF-UFL Penang (Kuala Perlis, 5pm); Group B: MCKK v SSMS Resilient (Azlan Shah, 5pm), Felda Juniors v MISCF-UFL (Universiti Sultan Idris, 5pm), Andersons v MSSWPKL (Gunung Rapat, 5pm).
Group C: Datuk Bentara Luar v TBSS Tampin (Batu Pahat, 5pm), Datuk Taha v SSTMI Juniors (Seremban II, 5pm), MBMB Warriors v Young Hurricanes (Bukit Serindit, 5pm).
SATURDAY: Women's Group A: MSN Kedah v CBN (Lela Pahlawan, 5pm), KLSS Wipers v USM Juniors (KLHA, 5pm); Group B: MSSPK v Zaaba (Gunung Rapat, 5pm), USM v Uniten (USM, 5pm).
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Van Huizen: Top-six should do the trick...
MALAYSIA will play in the London World League Semifinals for a shot at playing in the 16-team 2018 World Cup in India.
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) released groupings of the two qualifiers, the other one in Johannesburg, and coach Stephen van Huizen's men have been placed with four other Asian teams.
Malaysia, who dropped back to 14 from 13th in the World in the latest FIH ranking, have Olympic champions and newly crowned world no 1 Argentina, European champs Netherlands, Asian champions India, Pakistan, South Korea, hosts England, China, Canada and Scotland for company.
The tournament will be held On June 15-25 at Lee Valley’s Hockey and Tennis Centre in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.
In Johannesburg, on July 8-23, the 10 teams are World League Round Two qualifiers Ireland, Japan, France and Egypt.
They will be up against reigning Hockey World Cup, World League and Champions Trophy winners Australia, Olympic silver medallists Belgium, Olympic bronze medallists Germany, New Zealand, Spain and hosts South Africa, winners of the 2015 African Hockey Championship.
"The target is to first finish among the top-four in the group as the fifth team will not play in the quarter-finals.
"After that, we need to finish among the top-six in the knock-out stage to qualify for the World Cup. There are bound to be many double qualifications, and this is where even No 6 in London will make the cut to the 16-team event in Indian next year," said van Huizen.
Going by ranking, Malaysia will be placed in Group A with Argentina, Great Britain, Canada and China.
In Group B would be Netherlands, India, South Korea, Pakistan and Scotland.
"The 18 who played in the World League Round Two in Dhaka as well as those who will be selected for the Azlan Shah Cup will form the core of the team. All the injured players as well as those with family commitment will be available for Ipoh, and that's where I hope to select the best and fittest for London," said van Huizen.
The fact that London will be akin to an Asian championship should also favour Malaysia's chances.
"The good and also the bad of it is that we have a big number of teams which we play frequently in the Asian Games, Asia Cup and Asian Champions Trophy.
"We know them, and they know us. In a way, its also good that we have been placed in London, as we will be meeting known foes and our players would also be more comfortable in this situation," said van Huizen.
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) released groupings of the two qualifiers, the other one in Johannesburg, and coach Stephen van Huizen's men have been placed with four other Asian teams.
Malaysia, who dropped back to 14 from 13th in the World in the latest FIH ranking, have Olympic champions and newly crowned world no 1 Argentina, European champs Netherlands, Asian champions India, Pakistan, South Korea, hosts England, China, Canada and Scotland for company.
The tournament will be held On June 15-25 at Lee Valley’s Hockey and Tennis Centre in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.
In Johannesburg, on July 8-23, the 10 teams are World League Round Two qualifiers Ireland, Japan, France and Egypt.
They will be up against reigning Hockey World Cup, World League and Champions Trophy winners Australia, Olympic silver medallists Belgium, Olympic bronze medallists Germany, New Zealand, Spain and hosts South Africa, winners of the 2015 African Hockey Championship.
"The target is to first finish among the top-four in the group as the fifth team will not play in the quarter-finals.
"After that, we need to finish among the top-six in the knock-out stage to qualify for the World Cup. There are bound to be many double qualifications, and this is where even No 6 in London will make the cut to the 16-team event in Indian next year," said van Huizen.
Going by ranking, Malaysia will be placed in Group A with Argentina, Great Britain, Canada and China.
In Group B would be Netherlands, India, South Korea, Pakistan and Scotland.
"The 18 who played in the World League Round Two in Dhaka as well as those who will be selected for the Azlan Shah Cup will form the core of the team. All the injured players as well as those with family commitment will be available for Ipoh, and that's where I hope to select the best and fittest for London," said van Huizen.
The fact that London will be akin to an Asian championship should also favour Malaysia's chances.
"The good and also the bad of it is that we have a big number of teams which we play frequently in the Asian Games, Asia Cup and Asian Champions Trophy.
"We know them, and they know us. In a way, its also good that we have been placed in London, as we will be meeting known foes and our players would also be more comfortable in this situation," said van Huizen.
Malaysia to play in London
By FIH
THE International Hockey Federation (FIH) has confirmed the final line-ups for the men’s Hockey World League Semi-Finals following the conclusion of Round 2 and the subsequent update to the men’s FIH Hero World Rankings.
Between 15-25 June 2017, Lee Valley’s Hockey and Tennis Centre in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, England will welcome Canada, Malaysia, China and Scotland.
They qualified from the Hockey World League Round 2 and join Rio 2016 Olympic gold medallists Argentina, reigning European champions Netherlands, Asian champions India, Pakistan, Korea and hosts England, whose participation in this event was confirmed last October.
The other men’s Hockey World League Semi-Final will take place at Wits Hockey Club in Johannesburg, South Africa between 8-23 July.
Joining this event from Round 2 are Ireland, Japan, France and Egypt.
They will be up against reigning Hockey World Cup, World League and Champions Trophy winners Australia, Olympic silver medallists Belgium, Olympic bronze medallists Germany, New Zealand, Spain and hosts South Africa, winners of the 2015 African Hockey Championship..
THE International Hockey Federation (FIH) has confirmed the final line-ups for the men’s Hockey World League Semi-Finals following the conclusion of Round 2 and the subsequent update to the men’s FIH Hero World Rankings.
Between 15-25 June 2017, Lee Valley’s Hockey and Tennis Centre in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, England will welcome Canada, Malaysia, China and Scotland.
They qualified from the Hockey World League Round 2 and join Rio 2016 Olympic gold medallists Argentina, reigning European champions Netherlands, Asian champions India, Pakistan, Korea and hosts England, whose participation in this event was confirmed last October.
The other men’s Hockey World League Semi-Final will take place at Wits Hockey Club in Johannesburg, South Africa between 8-23 July.
Joining this event from Round 2 are Ireland, Japan, France and Egypt.
They will be up against reigning Hockey World Cup, World League and Champions Trophy winners Australia, Olympic silver medallists Belgium, Olympic bronze medallists Germany, New Zealand, Spain and hosts South Africa, winners of the 2015 African Hockey Championship..
Monday, April 3, 2017
JHL: Outside ranked teams shine...
OUTSIDE ranked teams showed great form over the weekend in the curtain raiser of the Junior Hockey League.
While the top teams in Division One rested as their players were involved in the Asian Schools tournament in India, the minnows made their mark.
In Division One, Johor Juniors were the revelation while Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) showed composure to win.
In Division Two Malaysian Indian Sports and Cultural Foundation-Universal Fitness & Leisure (MISCF-UFL) showed a form which shocked the gallery.
The Girls' JHL saw the last season's champions SSTMI Thunderbolts edge silver medallists KL Wipers 1-0 -- to set up a start of another close season.
Johor Juniors were down twice, but came back to draw 2-2 and then beat seasoned JHL side Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak) Nur-Insafi 3-2 on shootout.
Olak have been playing in the JHL since its debut in 1995 and even joined hands with NurInsafi this season to strengthen their side, but underdogs Johor Juniors sealed two crucial points.
Five of Olak-NurInsafi players recently played in Division One of the Malaysia Hockey League and after a 3-3 draw lost the gold medal to Police 3-1 in shootout.
Determination saw experience thrown out of the window.
In Division two MISCF-UFL trained for two months, only on weekends, and had a one week camp in Kuala Selangor but almost claimed the scalp of Terengganu Juniors.
MISCF-UFL took the lead, which shocked the gallery, but caved in during the last 15 minutes due to inexperience. It was their first tournament match as an outfit, but showed promise of a better season.
UniKL were far below previous season's strength, but still, coach Arul Selvaraj managed to rally his men to beat a full-time team in BJSS Juniors 2-0.
But Arul acknowledges that his side needs to win both matches this weekend to stay in the hunt for a top-four finish.
"We play PJCC Tigers and then Johor Juniors this weekend and need to win both matches. However, I predict SSTMI Thunderbolts and BJSS Thunderbolts to be in the drivers seat again, as they have a strong set-up," said Arul.
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