ERNST & YOUNG beat National Juniors 5-2 in the Asian Champion Clubs Cup at the Kuala Lumpur HA Stadium yesterday, but the score-line does not describe the match.
Ernst & Young took a 2-0 lead by the 23rd minute, but the National Juniors shocked the gallery by drawing level, only to lose out on inexperience.
Baljit Singh scored off a penalty corner attempt in the 17th minute, and Ismail Abu made it 2-0 with a field attempt in the 23rd minute, and the Juniors looked like they were heading for another 7-0 hiding like they did in the Malaysia Hockey League.
Juniors skipper Ahmad Kazamirul started a fight-back with a penalty corner goal in the 35th minute, and after the breather 16-year-old Kavin Kartik scored the equaliser in the 47th minute.
But that was as far as they went, as Ernst & Young who had 12 senior national players, showed more urgency and nailed three points with goals from Chua Boon Huat (52nd), Zulkifli Rejab (64th) and Baljit Singh closed accounts with a penalty stroke in the 65th minutes.
In another match, Olympian Village Club of Pakistan beat Adijon of Uzbekistan 3-0 with goals from Mahmood Ali (28th and 61st) and Muhammad Tousiq (38th).
But both the Pakistan and Uzbekistan tems looked like amateurs, and Ernst & Young should have no problems lifting the title on Sunday.
Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah watched the senior and junior teams in action for the first time, and felt there is room for improvement.
“My first impression after watching national juniors and seniors play is that both play attacking hockey and there is room for improvement, especially in fitness and strength,” said Tengku Abdullah.
He is still optimistic, that his target of taking Malaysia into the 10 to five bracket in the world by the 2012 London Olympics is achievable.
“With help from fitness coaches and nutritionist, I feel this team can improve further and MHF’s target is achievable.”
Tengku Abdullah, on his way out, was then shown the pathetic Education Ministry hockey pitch which looks more like an old carpet dump-site than a hockey pitch.
“This is a nice venue (the second pitch) and please bring it up in the council meeting (on Saturday) and lets see what can be done about it,” said Tengku Abdullah.
The Education Ministry pitch has been in a deplorable state for the past two years and millions have gone down the drain trying to repair it, but the the artificial turf refuses to stick, and keeps floating.
RESULTS -- Group A: Ernst & Young 5 National Juniors 2; Group B: Olympian Village Club 3 Adijon 0.
TODAY: Group A: Royal Thai Airforce v National Juniors (3pm); Group B: Singapore Recreation Club v Olympian Village Club (5pm).
Tomorrow: Group A: Ernst & Young v Royal Thai Airforce (3pm); Group B: Singapore Recreation Club v Adijon (5pm).
Sunday: Final -- 5pm; Third-Fourth: 3pm.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Dying MHL needs talent CPR
AT Least five Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) teams are in for a windfall, if the proposed plans to revive the dying league takes wing.
Newly elected Malaysian Hockey federation (MHF) pres ident Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, in his maiden speech, had said that MHL clubs will receive more attention, and their management will be turned professional with even club-houses being built and junior teams being formed.
The 2008-1010 MHF council will meet for the first time on Saturday, and states as well as clubs have been told to submit their plans as well as their problems.
The reality is that the MHL is almost a non-event, if one takes the six-team Division One as an example.
The league has just entered its return-leg, but Ernst & Young are already the run-away winners with 18 points after six matches, while Tenaga and Sapura are a distant nine points adrift.
Maybank, National Juniors and Nur-Isafi are just making up the numbers in Division One. And although the Penang- based Nur Insafi have spent good money to buy nine foreign players, they have lost all six of their matches to date.
The MHL, as recent as 10 years ago, used to be a close tournament with at least six teams going to the wire before the winner barely breaks free, but due to lack of caliber players, it is now a one-horse race.
The president was briefed about the MHL, before he made up his mind to accept nominations, and his first council meeting must start shaking and moving clubs.
The MHL fixtures are a clear indication of how pathetic the league is. The Six Division One teams are automatic quarter- finalists, while the top-two in Division Two will join the knock- out stage.
And going by current form, the two from Division Two will be knocked out early, and Ernst & Young will finally lift their maiden MHL double -- simply because they have 12 national players in their team, while there’s not enough quality players for the other teams to pick.
The talent pool has dried up, and action, not plans are needed to revive this once prestigious tournament.
Newly elected Malaysian Hockey federation (MHF) pres ident Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, in his maiden speech, had said that MHL clubs will receive more attention, and their management will be turned professional with even club-houses being built and junior teams being formed.
The 2008-1010 MHF council will meet for the first time on Saturday, and states as well as clubs have been told to submit their plans as well as their problems.
The reality is that the MHL is almost a non-event, if one takes the six-team Division One as an example.
The league has just entered its return-leg, but Ernst & Young are already the run-away winners with 18 points after six matches, while Tenaga and Sapura are a distant nine points adrift.
Maybank, National Juniors and Nur-Isafi are just making up the numbers in Division One. And although the Penang- based Nur Insafi have spent good money to buy nine foreign players, they have lost all six of their matches to date.
The MHL, as recent as 10 years ago, used to be a close tournament with at least six teams going to the wire before the winner barely breaks free, but due to lack of caliber players, it is now a one-horse race.
The president was briefed about the MHL, before he made up his mind to accept nominations, and his first council meeting must start shaking and moving clubs.
The MHL fixtures are a clear indication of how pathetic the league is. The Six Division One teams are automatic quarter- finalists, while the top-two in Division Two will join the knock- out stage.
And going by current form, the two from Division Two will be knocked out early, and Ernst & Young will finally lift their maiden MHL double -- simply because they have 12 national players in their team, while there’s not enough quality players for the other teams to pick.
The talent pool has dried up, and action, not plans are needed to revive this once prestigious tournament.
Juniors: Don't count us out
THE National Juniors coach K. Rajan sees his charges’ wild-card entry in to the Third Asian Champion Clubs Cup on Nov 13-16th at the Kuala Lumpur HA Stadium, as a challenge which they will stand up to.
The Juniors were invited to play in the tournament by the Asian Hockey Federation at the 11th-hour, so that two groups of three teams would play in the tournament which is being revived after a lapse of 15 years.
“The invitation came at the right time, as my players graph is on an upward trend in the MHL (Malaysia Hockey League).
“I believe, we will make an impact in the Club tournament, and even the outcome against Ernst & Young, our opening match, will be close,” said Rajan.
The Juniors are with Ernst & Young and Royal Thai Airforce in Group A, while in Group B are Olympian Village Club of Pakistan, Singapore Recreation Club and Adijon of Uzbek istan.
And the fact that Rajan will have all is players back, is another reason for his confidence.
“Seven players with other MHL teams are also back with me, and now they must fight to get their first-11 spot again.
“This is healthy competition, and I believe the players will give their best, because I aim to trim the number of trainees soon.”
The Juniors training squad, numbering 34, will be trimmed after December, and the MHL as well as the Asian Club tournament is a selection of sorts for the final Junior World Cup squad.
FIXTURES -- Thursday: Ernst & Young v National Juniors (5pm), Olympian Village Club v Adijon (7pm).
Friday: Royal Thai Airforce v National Juniors (5pm), Singapore Recreation Club v Olympian Village Club (7pm).
Saturday: Ernst & Young v Royal Thai Airforce (5pm), Singapore Recreation Club v Adijon (7pm).
Sunday: Final -- 5pm; Third-Fourth: 3pm.
The Juniors were invited to play in the tournament by the Asian Hockey Federation at the 11th-hour, so that two groups of three teams would play in the tournament which is being revived after a lapse of 15 years.
“The invitation came at the right time, as my players graph is on an upward trend in the MHL (Malaysia Hockey League).
“I believe, we will make an impact in the Club tournament, and even the outcome against Ernst & Young, our opening match, will be close,” said Rajan.
The Juniors are with Ernst & Young and Royal Thai Airforce in Group A, while in Group B are Olympian Village Club of Pakistan, Singapore Recreation Club and Adijon of Uzbek istan.
And the fact that Rajan will have all is players back, is another reason for his confidence.
“Seven players with other MHL teams are also back with me, and now they must fight to get their first-11 spot again.
“This is healthy competition, and I believe the players will give their best, because I aim to trim the number of trainees soon.”
The Juniors training squad, numbering 34, will be trimmed after December, and the MHL as well as the Asian Club tournament is a selection of sorts for the final Junior World Cup squad.
FIXTURES -- Thursday: Ernst & Young v National Juniors (5pm), Olympian Village Club v Adijon (7pm).
Friday: Royal Thai Airforce v National Juniors (5pm), Singapore Recreation Club v Olympian Village Club (7pm).
Saturday: Ernst & Young v Royal Thai Airforce (5pm), Singapore Recreation Club v Adijon (7pm).
Sunday: Final -- 5pm; Third-Fourth: 3pm.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Asian Wild Card for Juniors
THE National Juniors received a wild card to play in the Third Asian Champion Clubs Cup on Nov 13-16th at the Kuala Lumpur HA Stadium.
Initially, the tournament was supposed to be a five-team affair, with Malaysia being represented by Ernst & Young, but the Juniors were roped in to make it more exciting.
In Group A are Ernst & Young, National Juniors and, Royal Thai Airforce, while in Group B are Olympian Village Club of Pakistan, Singapore Recreation Club and Adijon of Uzbek istan.
The tournament is being revived by the Asian Hockey Federation (AFH) after a 15-year lapse, and the champions will play in the World Club Championships in Barcelona in January.
But if the National Juniors win, they will not be eligible to play in Barcelona. The Juniors are currently in training for the 2009 Junior World Cup which Malaysia and Singapore will co-host in June next year.
The Champion Clubs Cup clashes with MHL, and so the local league will be extended by 10 days.
FIXTURES -- Nov 13: Ernst & Young v National Juniors (5pm), Olympian Village Club v Adijon (7pm).
Nov 14: Royal Thai Airforce v National Juniors (5pm), Singapore Recreation Club v Olympian Village Club (7pm).
Nov 15: Ernst & Young v Royal Thai Airforce (5pm), Singapore Recreation Club v Adijon (7pm).
Nov 16: Final -- 5pm; Third-Fourth: 3pm.
Initially, the tournament was supposed to be a five-team affair, with Malaysia being represented by Ernst & Young, but the Juniors were roped in to make it more exciting.
In Group A are Ernst & Young, National Juniors and, Royal Thai Airforce, while in Group B are Olympian Village Club of Pakistan, Singapore Recreation Club and Adijon of Uzbek istan.
The tournament is being revived by the Asian Hockey Federation (AFH) after a 15-year lapse, and the champions will play in the World Club Championships in Barcelona in January.
But if the National Juniors win, they will not be eligible to play in Barcelona. The Juniors are currently in training for the 2009 Junior World Cup which Malaysia and Singapore will co-host in June next year.
The Champion Clubs Cup clashes with MHL, and so the local league will be extended by 10 days.
FIXTURES -- Nov 13: Ernst & Young v National Juniors (5pm), Olympian Village Club v Adijon (7pm).
Nov 14: Royal Thai Airforce v National Juniors (5pm), Singapore Recreation Club v Olympian Village Club (7pm).
Nov 15: Ernst & Young v Royal Thai Airforce (5pm), Singapore Recreation Club v Adijon (7pm).
Nov 16: Final -- 5pm; Third-Fourth: 3pm.
Ernst & Young ahead by seven
ERNST & YOUNG edged Tenaga Nasional 3-2 to pull clear by seven points in Division One of the Malaysia Hockey League.
The match was an exciting affair, with Tenaga scoring first to send their fans into wild celebrations, but Tenaga fans turned unruly and hurled water bottles into the pitch when the final whistle blew, as they felt the umpires robbed them of a draw.
Tenaga scored off Fairuz Ramli in the fifth minute, but Baljit Singh scored the equaliser in the 19th minute. Ernst & Young started playing better after drawing level, and took the lead in the 42nd minute when Ismail Abu was on target.
Tenaga drew level in the 53rd minute off an Amin Rahim penalty corner effort, but the Ernst & Young winner was delivered by Sukri Abdul Jalil in the 58th minute.
And Tenaga had a golden opportunity to steal one point when they received a penalty corner with minutes left, but Amin’s push was deflected out by a defender, and the fans cried for the umpires blood as they felt the ball hit the defenders foot, and a penalty stroke should have been awarded.
Tenaga coach Lailin Abu Hassan had a heated talk with the umpires, but when asked what happened, he declined to comment.
“I will not comment on the umpires decision, but overall, the match was exciting, and we could have snatched a point and kept in contention for the return leg,” said Lailin.
Ernst & Young coach K. Dharmaraj was relieved as his team took a comfortable cushion into the return leg.
“We now have a good chance of retaining our league title, and even though we were lucky to win today (yesterday), still, the pressure will be less when we resume MHL play after we compete in the Asian Champion Clubs tournament (Nov 13- 16).”
The surprise package of the day were the National Juniors, who held Sapura 4-4.
RESULTS: Division One: Tenaga Nasional 2 Ernst & Young 3, National Juniors 4 Sapura 4, Maybank 5 Nur Insafi 2.
Division Two: Bukit Jalil 2 Border Forces Club 0, Bandar Penawar 5 Royal Malay Regiment 6, UNIMAP 1 Dolphins 5.
SUNDAY: Division One -- National Juniors v Tenaga Na sional (National Stadium I, 5pm), Nur Insafi v Ernst & Young (USM Stadium, 5pm), Sapura v Maybank (KLHA Stadium, 5pm).
Division Two: Alam Shah v Malay Regiment (National Stadium II, 5pm), Bukit Jalil Sports School v JLJ (Tun Razak Stadium, 5pm), Bandar Penawar Sports School v Border Forces Club (Bandar Penawar, 5pm), UiTM v UNIMAP (Pan damaran Stadium, 5pm).
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
Ernst & Young 5 5 0 0 23 3 15
Sapura 5 2 2 1 13 10 8
Tenaga 5 2 2 1 11 9 8
Maybank 5 2 1 2 11 9 7
Nat Juniors 5 1 1 3 9 18 4
Nur Insafi 5 0 0 5 7 25 0
DIVISION TWO
P W D L F A Pts
RAMD 5 4 0 1 19 10 12
JLJ 4 3 0 1 9 5 9
Dolphins 5 2 2 1 20 9 8
UiTM 3 2 1 0 12 4 7
Bukit Jalil 4 2 1 1 6 2 7
Bandar Penawar 4 2 0 2 15 9 6
Alam Shah 4 1 1 2 9 10 4
UNIMAP 4 0 1 3 2 18 1
Border Forces 5 0 0 5 6 31 0
The match was an exciting affair, with Tenaga scoring first to send their fans into wild celebrations, but Tenaga fans turned unruly and hurled water bottles into the pitch when the final whistle blew, as they felt the umpires robbed them of a draw.
Tenaga scored off Fairuz Ramli in the fifth minute, but Baljit Singh scored the equaliser in the 19th minute. Ernst & Young started playing better after drawing level, and took the lead in the 42nd minute when Ismail Abu was on target.
Tenaga drew level in the 53rd minute off an Amin Rahim penalty corner effort, but the Ernst & Young winner was delivered by Sukri Abdul Jalil in the 58th minute.
And Tenaga had a golden opportunity to steal one point when they received a penalty corner with minutes left, but Amin’s push was deflected out by a defender, and the fans cried for the umpires blood as they felt the ball hit the defenders foot, and a penalty stroke should have been awarded.
Tenaga coach Lailin Abu Hassan had a heated talk with the umpires, but when asked what happened, he declined to comment.
“I will not comment on the umpires decision, but overall, the match was exciting, and we could have snatched a point and kept in contention for the return leg,” said Lailin.
Ernst & Young coach K. Dharmaraj was relieved as his team took a comfortable cushion into the return leg.
“We now have a good chance of retaining our league title, and even though we were lucky to win today (yesterday), still, the pressure will be less when we resume MHL play after we compete in the Asian Champion Clubs tournament (Nov 13- 16).”
The surprise package of the day were the National Juniors, who held Sapura 4-4.
RESULTS: Division One: Tenaga Nasional 2 Ernst & Young 3, National Juniors 4 Sapura 4, Maybank 5 Nur Insafi 2.
Division Two: Bukit Jalil 2 Border Forces Club 0, Bandar Penawar 5 Royal Malay Regiment 6, UNIMAP 1 Dolphins 5.
SUNDAY: Division One -- National Juniors v Tenaga Na sional (National Stadium I, 5pm), Nur Insafi v Ernst & Young (USM Stadium, 5pm), Sapura v Maybank (KLHA Stadium, 5pm).
Division Two: Alam Shah v Malay Regiment (National Stadium II, 5pm), Bukit Jalil Sports School v JLJ (Tun Razak Stadium, 5pm), Bandar Penawar Sports School v Border Forces Club (Bandar Penawar, 5pm), UiTM v UNIMAP (Pan damaran Stadium, 5pm).
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pts
Ernst & Young 5 5 0 0 23 3 15
Sapura 5 2 2 1 13 10 8
Tenaga 5 2 2 1 11 9 8
Maybank 5 2 1 2 11 9 7
Nat Juniors 5 1 1 3 9 18 4
Nur Insafi 5 0 0 5 7 25 0
DIVISION TWO
P W D L F A Pts
RAMD 5 4 0 1 19 10 12
JLJ 4 3 0 1 9 5 9
Dolphins 5 2 2 1 20 9 8
UiTM 3 2 1 0 12 4 7
Bukit Jalil 4 2 1 1 6 2 7
Bandar Penawar 4 2 0 2 15 9 6
Alam Shah 4 1 1 2 9 10 4
UNIMAP 4 0 1 3 2 18 1
Border Forces 5 0 0 5 6 31 0
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