KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian boys and girls hockey teams are expected to face a tough time qualifying for the under-18 Youth Olympics which will be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Oct 6-18.
Both the teams will have to play in the final of the Hockey 5s tournament qualifier in Bangkok, Thailand, on April 25-29 to win a ticket to Argentina.
Yesterday, the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) named both the squads and boys coach Wallace Tan as well as girls coach Yahya Atan admitted it will not be an easy tournament.
Played in a fast paced format of Five-a-Side, the Malaysian boys are in Group B with Pakistan, Bangladesh, Singapore, Taiwan and Cambodia.
The girls are in Group A with China, Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Yahya feels China and Japan will be the main hurdles: "Malaysian girls have never qualified to play in the Youth Olympics and I expect the challenge to come from China and Japan who both qualified for the last Youth Olympics.
"I believe my charges are ready to give their best and make the grade," said the 63-year old veteran coach.
Boys coach Wallace Tan also said he expects a tough challenge from Pakistan and Bangladesh.
"This is a good tournament to gauge our players as they will be under tremendous pressure against some of the best teams in the region. Pakistan and Bangladesh, who have already qualified for the Youth Olympics, and are in our group and I expect the challenge to come from both of them.
"It will be tough, but my players are up to the challenge," said Wallace.
The boys will be led by Junior Hockey League top-scorer Akhimullah Anuar Esook, who has scored 14 goals so far to hand Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) Thunderbolts the League title.
MALAYSIA -- Boys: Hamiz Ahir (GK), Arif Syafie Ishak, Akhimullah Anuar Esook, Amirul Hamizan Azhar, Muhibuddin Moharam, Noor Firdauz Rosdi,
Syarman Mat Tee, Kamaruzaman Kamarudin, Alfarico Lance Liau.
GIRLS: Siti Zalia Nasir (GK), Nur Atira Ismail,
Nurmaizatul Hanim Syafi, Siti Nur Arfah Nor, Nor Asfarina Isahyifiqa Isahhidun, Siti Zulaika Hussin, Nur Fatin Fatiah Azman, Putri Nur Batrisyia Nornawawi, Elizaberth Epui Martin.
BOYS' -- Group A: India, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand.
Group B: Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Singapore, Taiwan, Cambodia.
GIRLS' -- Group A: Malaysia, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan.
Group B: South Korea, India, Thailand, Singapore.
Friday, April 20, 2018
Thursday, April 19, 2018
JHL: Division Two title battle begins..
KUALA LUMPUR: Six teams will battle for the Division Two Junior Hockey League (JHL) title beginning today with no clear favourites.
Division Two, 20 teams divided into three groups, will see the top two teams in each group battle in Group X and Group Y, with the champions playing in the final while the second placed teams play for the bronze.
The three teams in Group X are KL Vipers, MSSPP-PSHA Jnrs and MSSPP-PSHA while in Group Y are TBSS Tampin, Anderson PHA and MBMB Warriors.
KL Vipers are a new team, while last season the final was between SSTMI Juniors and Sabah Sports School Resilient. Sabah won 3-1, and both the teams gained promotion to Division One this year.
So, the six teams will not only be fighting for the Division Two title, but also promotion into the higher division next season.
From Division One, Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak) and Perlis Young Lions will be relegated to Division Two next season.
Friday: Division Two -- Group Y: Anderson PHA v MBMB Warriors (National Stadium Pitch II, 5pm); Group X: KL Vipers v MSSP-PSHA (National Stadium Pitch II, 7.15pm).
Saturday -- Division One: Pahang Thunderbolts v Anderson Thunderbolts (National Stadium Pitch, 5pm), Perlis Young Lions v SMKDBL-UniKL (Kangar, 5pm).
Division Two: Group X: MSSP-PSHA v KL Vipers (National Stadium Pitch II, 5pm); Group Y: TBSS Tampin v Anderson PHA (National Stadium Pitch II, 7.15pm).
Sunday -- Division One: SSTMI v Sabah SS Resilient (SSTMI, 5pm).
Tuesday: Old La Sallians Association of Klang v Sabah SS Resilient (Pandamaran, 5pm), PJCC Tigers v BJSS Thudnerbolts (PJCC Stadium, 5pm).
STANDINGS
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI THUNDER 9 8 1 0 49 4 25
ANDERSON THUNDER 8 6 1 1 21 8 19
PAHANG THUNDER 8 5 1 2 18 16 16
SMKDBL-UNIKL 8 5 0 3 20 16 15
BJSS THUNDER 8 4 2 2 34 13 14
PJCC TIGERS 8 3 2 3 17 17 11
SSTMI 8 2 1 5 12 22 7
SABAH RESILIENT 7 2 0 5 14 33 6
PERLIS 8 1 0 7 10 30 3
OLAK 8 0 0 8 7 43 0
Division Two, 20 teams divided into three groups, will see the top two teams in each group battle in Group X and Group Y, with the champions playing in the final while the second placed teams play for the bronze.
The three teams in Group X are KL Vipers, MSSPP-PSHA Jnrs and MSSPP-PSHA while in Group Y are TBSS Tampin, Anderson PHA and MBMB Warriors.
KL Vipers are a new team, while last season the final was between SSTMI Juniors and Sabah Sports School Resilient. Sabah won 3-1, and both the teams gained promotion to Division One this year.
So, the six teams will not only be fighting for the Division Two title, but also promotion into the higher division next season.
From Division One, Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak) and Perlis Young Lions will be relegated to Division Two next season.
Friday: Division Two -- Group Y: Anderson PHA v MBMB Warriors (National Stadium Pitch II, 5pm); Group X: KL Vipers v MSSP-PSHA (National Stadium Pitch II, 7.15pm).
Saturday -- Division One: Pahang Thunderbolts v Anderson Thunderbolts (National Stadium Pitch, 5pm), Perlis Young Lions v SMKDBL-UniKL (Kangar, 5pm).
Division Two: Group X: MSSP-PSHA v KL Vipers (National Stadium Pitch II, 5pm); Group Y: TBSS Tampin v Anderson PHA (National Stadium Pitch II, 7.15pm).
Sunday -- Division One: SSTMI v Sabah SS Resilient (SSTMI, 5pm).
Tuesday: Old La Sallians Association of Klang v Sabah SS Resilient (Pandamaran, 5pm), PJCC Tigers v BJSS Thudnerbolts (PJCC Stadium, 5pm).
STANDINGS
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI THUNDER 9 8 1 0 49 4 25
ANDERSON THUNDER 8 6 1 1 21 8 19
PAHANG THUNDER 8 5 1 2 18 16 16
SMKDBL-UNIKL 8 5 0 3 20 16 15
BJSS THUNDER 8 4 2 2 34 13 14
PJCC TIGERS 8 3 2 3 17 17 11
SSTMI 8 2 1 5 12 22 7
SABAH RESILIENT 7 2 0 5 14 33 6
PERLIS 8 1 0 7 10 30 3
OLAK 8 0 0 8 7 43 0
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
SSTMI Thunderbolts League champions, Old La Sallians Association of Klang (OLAK) relegated to Division Two
KUALA LUMPUR: Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) Thunderbolts snatched the Division One Junior Hockey League (JHL) League title from Petaling Jaya City Council (PJCC) Tigers with a 0-0 draw yesterday.
PJCC, last season's League champions, were the only team in Division One which could steal a point from SSTMI who had won all their previous eight matches.
However, PJCC are a lowly sixth on the table with one match in hand.
"Even though we were held to a draw in our final match in the League, it's still satisfying to win the title without losing any of the nine matches. Now we look forward to defending our Overall title in the knock-out stage," said SSTMI coach Wan Roslan Wan Rahman.
The reason for the draw?
"Five of my players went for Youth Olympics training and when they came back, they were too tired to contribute. However, it was a sweet 'victory' to win back the League title from PJCC," said Wan Roslan.
On the lower end of the table, Perlis Young Lions won their first points of the season when they beat winless Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak) 4-3.
Olak face Sabah Sports School Resilient at the Pandamaran Stadium next, and win lose or draw, the former champions will be relegated to Division Two next season.
RESULTS -- Sabah SS Resilient 1 Anderson Thunderbolts 2, SMKDBL-UniKL 2 Pahang Sports School 4, PJCC Tigers 0 SSTMI Thunderbolts 0, BJSS Thunderbolts 3 STMI 1, Old La Sallians Association of Klang 3 Perlis Young Lions 4.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI THUNDER 9 8 1 0 49 4 25
ANDERSON THUNDER 8 6 1 1 21 8 19
PAHANG THUNDER 8 5 1 2 18 16 16
SMKDBL-UNIKL 8 5 0 3 20 16 15
BJSS THUNDER 8 4 2 2 34 13 14
PJCC TIGERS 8 3 2 3 17 17 11
SSTMI 8 2 1 5 12 22 7
SABAH RESILIENT 7 2 0 5 14 33 6
PERLIS 8 1 0 7 10 30 3
OLAK 8 0 0 8 7 43 0
PJCC, last season's League champions, were the only team in Division One which could steal a point from SSTMI who had won all their previous eight matches.
However, PJCC are a lowly sixth on the table with one match in hand.
"Even though we were held to a draw in our final match in the League, it's still satisfying to win the title without losing any of the nine matches. Now we look forward to defending our Overall title in the knock-out stage," said SSTMI coach Wan Roslan Wan Rahman.
The reason for the draw?
"Five of my players went for Youth Olympics training and when they came back, they were too tired to contribute. However, it was a sweet 'victory' to win back the League title from PJCC," said Wan Roslan.
On the lower end of the table, Perlis Young Lions won their first points of the season when they beat winless Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak) 4-3.
Olak face Sabah Sports School Resilient at the Pandamaran Stadium next, and win lose or draw, the former champions will be relegated to Division Two next season.
RESULTS -- Sabah SS Resilient 1 Anderson Thunderbolts 2, SMKDBL-UniKL 2 Pahang Sports School 4, PJCC Tigers 0 SSTMI Thunderbolts 0, BJSS Thunderbolts 3 STMI 1, Old La Sallians Association of Klang 3 Perlis Young Lions 4.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
SSTMI THUNDER 9 8 1 0 49 4 25
ANDERSON THUNDER 8 6 1 1 21 8 19
PAHANG THUNDER 8 5 1 2 18 16 16
SMKDBL-UNIKL 8 5 0 3 20 16 15
BJSS THUNDER 8 4 2 2 34 13 14
PJCC TIGERS 8 3 2 3 17 17 11
SSTMI 8 2 1 5 12 22 7
SABAH RESILIENT 7 2 0 5 14 33 6
PERLIS 8 1 0 7 10 30 3
OLAK 8 0 0 8 7 43 0
Sunday, April 15, 2018
JHL: Anderson Thunderbolts zap Olak 4-1
KUALA LUMPUR: Anderson Thunderbolts whipped Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak) 4-1 in Division One of the Junior Hockey League (JHL) at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh yesterday.
The win consolidated Anderson Thunderbolts quest to finish second in the League, while for Olak it was another nail in their coffin to relegation next season.
Olak have yet to win a single point after seven matches and have let in 39 goals and only scored four.
Anderson are currently second on the standings on 16 points after seven matches and travel to Likas to play Sabah Sports School Resilient next.
Yesterday, Olak scored first in the fifth minute off Hairi Amir but Arif Sabron equalsied for Anderson in the 24th minute and the other goals were scored by Fahmi Khalid (26th), Azrai Aizad (38th) and Syazwan Syafiq (59th).
"My players took it easy because at the back of their mind they were playing a team which had yet to win a match. That's how Olak scored the first goal," said Anderson coach Nizam Hashim.
But once they received the wake-up call, Anderson powered back into the match.
"We have two more matches to complete and I see the next one against Sabah a little troublesome. Not only that we have to travel to Likas (Sabah), but teams which have played there returned not too happy with the condition of the artificial pitch.
"We will have to get adjusted to the field conditions fast, as we need to win both our remaining matches to finish second, to achieve our best performance in the JHL to date," said Nizam.
The top spot has been booked by Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) Thunderbolts who have 24 points after eight matches.
RESULTS: Division One -- Sabah SS Resilient 2 PJCC Tigers 3, SSTMI 1 SMKDBL UniKL 4, Anderson Thunderbolts 4 Old La Sallians Association of Klang 1, SSTMI Thunderbolts 8 Perlis Young Lions 0, Pahang SS Thunderbolts x Bukit Jalil SS Thunderbolts x.
Division Two: Group A: Datuk Taha 6 SSP-MSP 2, MSNT-PHT-SMKPM 0 MSSPP-PSHA Jnr 0; Group B: MSSP Stinger 3 TBSS Tampin 4, Johor Baru v Sains Batu Pahat (match abandoned, rain), SMGKR Boys 0 MSSPP-PSHA 7; Group C: KL Vipers 2 MSS Selangor 1.
The win consolidated Anderson Thunderbolts quest to finish second in the League, while for Olak it was another nail in their coffin to relegation next season.
Olak have yet to win a single point after seven matches and have let in 39 goals and only scored four.
Anderson are currently second on the standings on 16 points after seven matches and travel to Likas to play Sabah Sports School Resilient next.
Yesterday, Olak scored first in the fifth minute off Hairi Amir but Arif Sabron equalsied for Anderson in the 24th minute and the other goals were scored by Fahmi Khalid (26th), Azrai Aizad (38th) and Syazwan Syafiq (59th).
"My players took it easy because at the back of their mind they were playing a team which had yet to win a match. That's how Olak scored the first goal," said Anderson coach Nizam Hashim.
But once they received the wake-up call, Anderson powered back into the match.
"We have two more matches to complete and I see the next one against Sabah a little troublesome. Not only that we have to travel to Likas (Sabah), but teams which have played there returned not too happy with the condition of the artificial pitch.
"We will have to get adjusted to the field conditions fast, as we need to win both our remaining matches to finish second, to achieve our best performance in the JHL to date," said Nizam.
The top spot has been booked by Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) Thunderbolts who have 24 points after eight matches.
RESULTS: Division One -- Sabah SS Resilient 2 PJCC Tigers 3, SSTMI 1 SMKDBL UniKL 4, Anderson Thunderbolts 4 Old La Sallians Association of Klang 1, SSTMI Thunderbolts 8 Perlis Young Lions 0, Pahang SS Thunderbolts x Bukit Jalil SS Thunderbolts x.
Division Two: Group A: Datuk Taha 6 SSP-MSP 2, MSNT-PHT-SMKPM 0 MSSPP-PSHA Jnr 0; Group B: MSSP Stinger 3 TBSS Tampin 4, Johor Baru v Sains Batu Pahat (match abandoned, rain), SMGKR Boys 0 MSSPP-PSHA 7; Group C: KL Vipers 2 MSS Selangor 1.
Saturday, April 14, 2018
JHL: Anderson Thunderbolts eye No 2 spot
KUALA LUMPUR: Anderson Thunderbolts is eyeing the second spot in Division One of the Junior Hockey League (JHL), as Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) Thunderbolts are almost assured of the League title.
SSTMI Thunderbolts have opened up an eight point lead with maximum points after seven matches, and will be difficult to chase at this point.
Anderson, whose best finish in the JHL to date is third, are second right now on 13 points after six matches and will have to beat Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak) at the Azlan Shah Stadium today to keep their dream alive.
And their two more matches are against Sabah Sports School Resilient followed by Pahang Sports School Thunderbolts.
"We must collect full points against Olak to keep the second spot in sight as after tomorrow (today) we have tougher matches against Sabah and Pahang," said Anderson coach Nizam Hashim.
Olak are lying at the bottom of the table after losing all six matches. They have let in 35 goals and only scored three.
Anderson on the other hand, have won four, drew one and lost one match. And even though they have only scored 15 goals, but they have a good defence and only let in six goals in six matches.
"We can't afford a slip at this stage as UniKL and Pahang both have 12 points and will also be aiming for the second spot," said Nizam.
Bukit Jalil Sports School, on 10 points, are the other challengers to Anderson's quest.
"As a school team, we are still the best in Perak, but as a JHL club we have yet to finish this high and so I believe my players will give their best against Olak for starters."
Olak will also be fighting their own battle today to avoid relegation to Division two together with Perlis Young Lions who have also yet to win a single point after six matches.
SUNDAY: Division One -- Sabah SS Resilient v PJCC Tigers (Likas, 4pm), SSTMI v SMKDBL UniKL v (SSTMI, 4pm), Anderson Thunderbolts v Old La Sallians Association Klang (Azlan Shah, 5pm), Pahang SS Thunderbolts v Bukit Jalil SS Thunderbolts (National Stadium, 8pm), SSTMI Thunderbolts v Perlis Young Lions (SSTMI, 6pm).
Division Two: Group A: Datuk Taha v SSP-MSP (Seremban II, 5pm), MSNT-PHT-SMKPM v MSSPP - PSHA Jnr (Batu Buruk, 5pm); Group B: MSSP Stinger v TBSS Tampin (Perlis, 5pm), Johor Baru v Sains Batu Pahat (Batu Pahat, 5pm), SMGKR Boys v MSSPP - PSHA (Gunung Rapat, 5pm); Group C: KL Vipers v MSS Selangor (KLHA, 5pm).
SSTMI Thunderbolts have opened up an eight point lead with maximum points after seven matches, and will be difficult to chase at this point.
Anderson, whose best finish in the JHL to date is third, are second right now on 13 points after six matches and will have to beat Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak) at the Azlan Shah Stadium today to keep their dream alive.
And their two more matches are against Sabah Sports School Resilient followed by Pahang Sports School Thunderbolts.
"We must collect full points against Olak to keep the second spot in sight as after tomorrow (today) we have tougher matches against Sabah and Pahang," said Anderson coach Nizam Hashim.
Olak are lying at the bottom of the table after losing all six matches. They have let in 35 goals and only scored three.
Anderson on the other hand, have won four, drew one and lost one match. And even though they have only scored 15 goals, but they have a good defence and only let in six goals in six matches.
"We can't afford a slip at this stage as UniKL and Pahang both have 12 points and will also be aiming for the second spot," said Nizam.
Bukit Jalil Sports School, on 10 points, are the other challengers to Anderson's quest.
"As a school team, we are still the best in Perak, but as a JHL club we have yet to finish this high and so I believe my players will give their best against Olak for starters."
Olak will also be fighting their own battle today to avoid relegation to Division two together with Perlis Young Lions who have also yet to win a single point after six matches.
SUNDAY: Division One -- Sabah SS Resilient v PJCC Tigers (Likas, 4pm), SSTMI v SMKDBL UniKL v (SSTMI, 4pm), Anderson Thunderbolts v Old La Sallians Association Klang (Azlan Shah, 5pm), Pahang SS Thunderbolts v Bukit Jalil SS Thunderbolts (National Stadium, 8pm), SSTMI Thunderbolts v Perlis Young Lions (SSTMI, 6pm).
Division Two: Group A: Datuk Taha v SSP-MSP (Seremban II, 5pm), MSNT-PHT-SMKPM v MSSPP - PSHA Jnr (Batu Buruk, 5pm); Group B: MSSP Stinger v TBSS Tampin (Perlis, 5pm), Johor Baru v Sains Batu Pahat (Batu Pahat, 5pm), SMGKR Boys v MSSPP - PSHA (Gunung Rapat, 5pm); Group C: KL Vipers v MSS Selangor (KLHA, 5pm).
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