UNIKL finished at the bottom of the pool last season, but blossomed into a title aspirant after four matches, and will get their chance to break free when they lock horns with Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) in the Premier Division of the Malaysia Hockey League.
They will get another golden opportunity to collect points when they meet Maybank at the Tun Razak Stadium, but after that, they are likely to face a torrid time against league leaders KLHC the next day.
KLHC coach K. Dharmaraj attributed simple hockey to UniKL’s run: “They have Project 2013 players and their foreign signings are not big names, but by slaying YNS, Sapura and TNB, UniKL have shown that their brand of simple hockey is effective.”
Dharmaraj feels this weekend could make or break some teams.
“The league is still open, and I feel that there are at least four teams who can snatch the title if given a chance. That is why we need six points to keep ahead of the chasing pack,” said Dharmaraj.
As for UniKL: “Last weekend we went in thinking that four points would be good but upset the formbook and beat Sapura as well as Tenaga Nasional (both by 2-1 score lines) and it has opened up the league.
“I feel the same this weekend, and believe a total of four points against Maybank and KLHC would be a fantastic outing,” said UniKL manager Amir Azhar.
Their only ‘setback’ is that Nor Hizzat Sumantri will not play against Maybank for picking up two yellow cards.
“Other than that, we will have a full squad, and hopefully we can beat Maybank so that the players will be in a better frame of mind when they play KLHC,” said Amir.
Maybank, who last won a title in 1994, have been strug gling in the league as they drew 1-1 with defending Overall champions Tenaga Nasional and beat UiTM 2-0 but after that, they lost to Yayasan Negri Sembilan (1-4), Nur Insafi (0-2) and Sapura (0-2).
FIXTURES:
Premier Division -- Friday: UniKL v Maybank (3.30pm), Nur Insafi v Tenaga Nasional (5.15pm), UiTm v Kuala Lumpur HC (7pm), Armed Forces-Airod v Yayasan Negri Sembilan (8.45pm).
Saturday: UniKL v Kuala Lumpur HC (4pm), Nur Insafi v Yayasan Negri Sembilan (6pm), Sapura v Tenaga Nasional (8pm), UiTM v Armed Forces-Airod (KLH Stadium, 5pm).
Note: All other matches at the Tun Razak Stadium.
Division One -- Sunday: Bukit Jalil SS v Ipoh City Council (Pantai Ministry Stadium, 5pm), Malacca CC v Bandar Pe nawar SS (Malacca Stadium, 5pm), Universiti Sains Malaysia v Armed Forces Juniors (USM, 5pm).
STANDINGS
PREMIER DIVISION
P W D L F A Pt
KLHC 5 4 0 1 22 10 12
UNIKL-TRC 4 4 0 0 9 5 12
TNB 5 3 1 1 10 5 10
NUR INSAFI 4 3 0 1 10 10 9
YNS 4 2 0 2 15 11 6
SAPURA 5 2 0 3 14 13 6
MAYBANK 5 1 1 3 4 9 4
UITM 4 0 0 4 6 15 0
ATM-AIROD 4 0 0 4 4 16 0
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pt
ATM JNR 3 3 0 0 8 2 9
IPOH CH 4 2 1 1 11 8 7
BJSS 3 2 0 1 7 3 6
BPSS 3 2 0 1 7 5 6
USM 5 2 0 3 8 14 6
MALACCA CC 4 1 0 3 4 6 3
UNITEN 4 0 1 3 2 9 1
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Fungus at every level
ARTIFICIAL hockey pitches are still a luxury in Malaysia even though they were introduced in early 1970s, and with the first Olympic Games on this surface being held at the 1976 Montreal edition.
There are less than 20 synthetic hockey pitches, which are in working order, and the number is fast dwindling because nobody seem to care about them.
Last weekend’s Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) Premier Division matches were played at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh so that fans from the Silver State could watch some top action at their doorsteps.
But what a tragedy it turned out to be because when teams arrived days before the weekend fixtures, they found out to their horror that almost the entire surface of itch I and II were covered with black fungus.
The Stadium, named after a former MHF president, were laid barely two years ago for the Azlan Shah Cup but lack of use and poor maintenance is slowly destroying its surface.
Workers tried to wash the surface but it was of little help as players slipped and fell more than they should, and coaches fumed as their well laid plans turned as rotten as the pitch.
The Azlan Shah Stadium is out of bounds for schools as well as club teams, for reasons only known by those running the stadium, and the Premier Division players were left with a bad taste in their mouth, as well as a bag-full of black fungi stuck to their boots, attire and hockey sticks which followed them back home to Kuala Lumpur.
Another pitch that is going to meet the same fate is the newly laid Ministry of Education synthetic pitch in Jalan Pantai, Kuala Lumpur.
The Ministry only allows schools, and recently the national men’s team were allowed to train there on a special MoU. Even university sides, leave alone clubs, are not allowed to make their bookings and this was evident when Universiti Sains Malaysia and UniTen had to play at the adjacent Kuala Lumpur HA pitch on Sunday while the Ministry’s pitch only had crows circling it.
The KLHA pitch is probably the most overused in the country as bookings are full from Am to PM, but is still looks like brand new after six years because of the proper care that it gets.
Now for the icing.
Both the artificial pitches at the Bukit Jalil Hockey Stadium were stripped when work started in May last year.
But up till today, there is hardly any progress at both the dug-up pitches as fingers are pointed at every direction for the delay.
And, MHF official believe both the pitches will not even be ready by the end of this year, and that is why the national men’s team have started training at the Ministry’s pitch while the MHF secure the playing rights to the Tun Razak Stadium.
The Petaling Jaya Municipal Council, as well as three pitches up north, one in the East Coast and one in Johor Baru have also crumbled or are only breeding fungi, instead of talent for the nation.
There are less than 20 synthetic hockey pitches, which are in working order, and the number is fast dwindling because nobody seem to care about them.
Last weekend’s Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) Premier Division matches were played at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh so that fans from the Silver State could watch some top action at their doorsteps.
But what a tragedy it turned out to be because when teams arrived days before the weekend fixtures, they found out to their horror that almost the entire surface of itch I and II were covered with black fungus.
The Stadium, named after a former MHF president, were laid barely two years ago for the Azlan Shah Cup but lack of use and poor maintenance is slowly destroying its surface.
Workers tried to wash the surface but it was of little help as players slipped and fell more than they should, and coaches fumed as their well laid plans turned as rotten as the pitch.
The Azlan Shah Stadium is out of bounds for schools as well as club teams, for reasons only known by those running the stadium, and the Premier Division players were left with a bad taste in their mouth, as well as a bag-full of black fungi stuck to their boots, attire and hockey sticks which followed them back home to Kuala Lumpur.
Another pitch that is going to meet the same fate is the newly laid Ministry of Education synthetic pitch in Jalan Pantai, Kuala Lumpur.
The Ministry only allows schools, and recently the national men’s team were allowed to train there on a special MoU. Even university sides, leave alone clubs, are not allowed to make their bookings and this was evident when Universiti Sains Malaysia and UniTen had to play at the adjacent Kuala Lumpur HA pitch on Sunday while the Ministry’s pitch only had crows circling it.
The KLHA pitch is probably the most overused in the country as bookings are full from Am to PM, but is still looks like brand new after six years because of the proper care that it gets.
Now for the icing.
Both the artificial pitches at the Bukit Jalil Hockey Stadium were stripped when work started in May last year.
But up till today, there is hardly any progress at both the dug-up pitches as fingers are pointed at every direction for the delay.
And, MHF official believe both the pitches will not even be ready by the end of this year, and that is why the national men’s team have started training at the Ministry’s pitch while the MHF secure the playing rights to the Tun Razak Stadium.
The Petaling Jaya Municipal Council, as well as three pitches up north, one in the East Coast and one in Johor Baru have also crumbled or are only breeding fungi, instead of talent for the nation.
Happy-sad moment for Selvaraju
S. SELVARAJU, 25, gave his best against Tenaga Nasional in the Premier Division of the Malaysia Hockey League on Saturday, and instead of jubilation, ended up with mixed feelings.
Selvaraju, a former international who was dropped after he went to France to playn his trade and gain experience, was started his career with the TNB Junior Hockey League side and then graduated to their senior outfit.
But this season, he moved to UniKL, and his new home beat TNB 2-1 at the Azlan Shah Stadium.
“I gave my very best, like in all the matches I play, and of course was happy when we beat a strong TNB outfit, but there was also a tinge of sadness because I grew up with them,” said Selvaraju.
Selvaraju attributes the upset to the many young players in UniKL as well as their New Zealand coach Darren Smith.
“Our coach told us from the beginning that we will be put through drills not to prepare for the MHL, but for an international standard tournament.
“With that in our mindset, everybody worked like we were going to play in a world cup or Olympics, and it has done wonders to our attitude as well as fitness level,” said Selvaraju.
UniKL are tied on 12 points with Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club, but they have played one match less.
When asked about the 11 players who are below 20 in his side: “They are eager to learn and easy to communicate with. And they not only listen to the coach but also the seniors in the side when their mistakes are pointed out.
“I believe this is the best bunch of mates I have had for a long time, as every one is eager to learn and then give their best in matches.
“Personally speaking, I would like to see UniKL at the top of the podium, but it is only going to get tougher after our last win against TNB,” said Selvaraju.
Selvaraju, a former international who was dropped after he went to France to playn his trade and gain experience, was started his career with the TNB Junior Hockey League side and then graduated to their senior outfit.
But this season, he moved to UniKL, and his new home beat TNB 2-1 at the Azlan Shah Stadium.
“I gave my very best, like in all the matches I play, and of course was happy when we beat a strong TNB outfit, but there was also a tinge of sadness because I grew up with them,” said Selvaraju.
Selvaraju attributes the upset to the many young players in UniKL as well as their New Zealand coach Darren Smith.
“Our coach told us from the beginning that we will be put through drills not to prepare for the MHL, but for an international standard tournament.
“With that in our mindset, everybody worked like we were going to play in a world cup or Olympics, and it has done wonders to our attitude as well as fitness level,” said Selvaraju.
UniKL are tied on 12 points with Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club, but they have played one match less.
When asked about the 11 players who are below 20 in his side: “They are eager to learn and easy to communicate with. And they not only listen to the coach but also the seniors in the side when their mistakes are pointed out.
“I believe this is the best bunch of mates I have had for a long time, as every one is eager to learn and then give their best in matches.
“Personally speaking, I would like to see UniKL at the top of the podium, but it is only going to get tougher after our last win against TNB,” said Selvaraju.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Army Juniors march on
ARMED Forces Juniors consolidated their grip when they beat Malacca City Council 2-1 in Division One of the Malaysia Hockey League yesterday.
The Army juniors remain unbeaten after three matches, and are followed closely by Ipoh City Council who beat Bandar Penawar Sports School 3-0 to be placed second on seven points.
In another match yesterday, Universiti Sains Malaysia beat UniTen 1-0 with the winner scored by Razak Saidin in the 14th minute.
Army took the lead off Rahimie Razak in the 11th minute only to see Faizal Maadun equalise for Malacca CC in the 15th minute. The winner was delivered by Shukri Aziz in the 35th minute.
Ipoh collected maximum points with a concerted push in the first half which saw Azam Azman (seventh), Jasdev Singh (30th) and Mohamed Noor Saad sounding the board.
RESULTS: Ipoh CC 3 Bandar Penawar Sports School 0, ATM Jnrs 2 Malacca CC 1, UniTen 0 Universiti Sains Malaysia 1.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pt
ATM JNR 3 3 0 0 8 2 9
IPOH CH 4 2 1 1 11 8 7
BJSS 3 2 0 1 7 3 6
BPSS 3 2 0 1 7 5 6
USM 5 2 0 3 8 14 6
MALACCA CC 4 1 0 3 4 6 3
UNITEN 4 0 1 3 2 9 1
The Army juniors remain unbeaten after three matches, and are followed closely by Ipoh City Council who beat Bandar Penawar Sports School 3-0 to be placed second on seven points.
In another match yesterday, Universiti Sains Malaysia beat UniTen 1-0 with the winner scored by Razak Saidin in the 14th minute.
Army took the lead off Rahimie Razak in the 11th minute only to see Faizal Maadun equalise for Malacca CC in the 15th minute. The winner was delivered by Shukri Aziz in the 35th minute.
Ipoh collected maximum points with a concerted push in the first half which saw Azam Azman (seventh), Jasdev Singh (30th) and Mohamed Noor Saad sounding the board.
RESULTS: Ipoh CC 3 Bandar Penawar Sports School 0, ATM Jnrs 2 Malacca CC 1, UniTen 0 Universiti Sains Malaysia 1.
DIVISION ONE
P W D L F A Pt
ATM JNR 3 3 0 0 8 2 9
IPOH CH 4 2 1 1 11 8 7
BJSS 3 2 0 1 7 3 6
BPSS 3 2 0 1 7 5 6
USM 5 2 0 3 8 14 6
MALACCA CC 4 1 0 3 4 6 3
UNITEN 4 0 1 3 2 9 1
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Stahr twinkles for UniKL
UNIKL German import Phillip Stahr twinkled late in the match to hand his side a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Tenaga Nasional to wrestle the top spot in the Premier Division of the Malaysia Hockey League at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh yesterday.
TNB were guilty of committing a string of errors when presented with open chances to seal the match, and handed over the reigns to the unbeaten University side with ease.
UniKL were gifted the lead by TNB’s Amin Rahim in the 20th minute when the defender failed to lift the ball more than 10-feet when attempting an overhead flick.
The ball was snatched just outside the TNB semi-circle, and 19-year-old Amir Farid beat national No 1 goalkeeper S. Kumar for the lead.
But Amin made up for the blunder when he scored off a penalty corner flick three minutes later and the score stood until the 66th minute.
The stars shone on Stahr when he tucked in the winner from close range to give UniKL the well deserved three points.
TNB coach Nor Saiful Zaini was disappointed with his charges: “I am really disappointed with the way my team played today (yesterday) and I will have a look at the recording to see what really went wrong, and rectify the problem areas before the next match.”
As for UniKL coach Darren Smith: “I am happy we kept our unbeaten record against a strong side like TNB. But I predict the tournament to become much more difficult after this weekend.”
In other matches Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) and Yayasan Negri Sembilan (YNS) went on a seven goal rampage each.
KLHC whipped Nur Insafi 7-2 while YNS followed suit with a 7-2 hammering of UiTM.
KLHC, who have only lost to TNB in the Charity Shield, have scored 22 goals in five matches, but have also let in a massive 10 to indicate their defense is suspect.
Yesterday, KLHC scored two goals inside one minute, when skipper Azlan Misron scored off a reverse stick attempt, and immediately after the restart, Chua Boon Huat nailed the second goal.
And after Baljit Singh scored off a penalty corner attempt in the 38th minute, Nur Insafi looked like they were ready to give up the fight.
Ismail Abu made it 4-0 up in the 45th minute but Nur Insafi scored two quick goals off Shabbir Ahmad Khan and Veer achamy Raja in the 48th and 51st minutes respectively.
However, former international Boon Huat doused the comeback fire in the 56th minute, and Azlan made it 6-2 while Ismail sealed the coffin with the seventh goal in the 66th minute.
Meanwhile, YNS bounced back from two defeats (UniKL 2- 1, and KL Hockey Club 6-3), with a massive win over UiTM. Muhamad Imran (eighth, 35th), Deepak Thakur (20th, 29th, 61st), Muhammad Waqas (46th), Shakeel Abbasi (55th),
The UiTM goals were scored by Ahmad Amirul (18th) and Hanif Ibrahim (50th).
RESULTS
Yayasan Negri Sembilan 7 UiTM (3pm) 2, Kuala Lumpur HC 7 Nur Insafi 2, TNB 1 UniKL 2, Maybank 0 Sapura 2.
STANDINGS
P W D L F A Pt
KLHC 5 4 0 1 22 10 12
UNIKL-TRC 4 4 0 0 9 5 12
TNB 5 3 1 1 10 5 10
NUR INSAFI 4 3 0 1 10 10 9
YNS 4 2 0 2 15 11 6
SAPURA 5 2 0 3 14 13 6
MAYBANK 5 1 1 3 4 9 4
UITM 4 0 0 4 6 15 0
ATM-AIROD 4 0 0 4 4 16 0
DIVISION ONE
SUNDAY
Ipoh CC v Bandar Penawar Sports School (Azlan Shah Stadium, 5pm), ATM Jnrs v Malacca CC (Tun Razak Stadium, 5pm), UniTen v Universiti Sains Malaysia (KLHA Stadium, 5pm).
STANDINGS
P W D L F A Pt
ATM JNR 2 2 0 0 6 1 6
BJSS 3 2 0 1 7 3 6
BPSS 2 2 0 0 7 2 6
IPOH CH 3 1 1 1 8 8 4
MALACCA CC 3 1 0 2 3 4 3
USM 4 1 0 3 7 14 3
UNITEN 3 0 1 2 2 8 1
TNB were guilty of committing a string of errors when presented with open chances to seal the match, and handed over the reigns to the unbeaten University side with ease.
UniKL were gifted the lead by TNB’s Amin Rahim in the 20th minute when the defender failed to lift the ball more than 10-feet when attempting an overhead flick.
The ball was snatched just outside the TNB semi-circle, and 19-year-old Amir Farid beat national No 1 goalkeeper S. Kumar for the lead.
But Amin made up for the blunder when he scored off a penalty corner flick three minutes later and the score stood until the 66th minute.
The stars shone on Stahr when he tucked in the winner from close range to give UniKL the well deserved three points.
TNB coach Nor Saiful Zaini was disappointed with his charges: “I am really disappointed with the way my team played today (yesterday) and I will have a look at the recording to see what really went wrong, and rectify the problem areas before the next match.”
As for UniKL coach Darren Smith: “I am happy we kept our unbeaten record against a strong side like TNB. But I predict the tournament to become much more difficult after this weekend.”
In other matches Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) and Yayasan Negri Sembilan (YNS) went on a seven goal rampage each.
KLHC whipped Nur Insafi 7-2 while YNS followed suit with a 7-2 hammering of UiTM.
KLHC, who have only lost to TNB in the Charity Shield, have scored 22 goals in five matches, but have also let in a massive 10 to indicate their defense is suspect.
Yesterday, KLHC scored two goals inside one minute, when skipper Azlan Misron scored off a reverse stick attempt, and immediately after the restart, Chua Boon Huat nailed the second goal.
And after Baljit Singh scored off a penalty corner attempt in the 38th minute, Nur Insafi looked like they were ready to give up the fight.
Ismail Abu made it 4-0 up in the 45th minute but Nur Insafi scored two quick goals off Shabbir Ahmad Khan and Veer achamy Raja in the 48th and 51st minutes respectively.
However, former international Boon Huat doused the comeback fire in the 56th minute, and Azlan made it 6-2 while Ismail sealed the coffin with the seventh goal in the 66th minute.
Meanwhile, YNS bounced back from two defeats (UniKL 2- 1, and KL Hockey Club 6-3), with a massive win over UiTM. Muhamad Imran (eighth, 35th), Deepak Thakur (20th, 29th, 61st), Muhammad Waqas (46th), Shakeel Abbasi (55th),
The UiTM goals were scored by Ahmad Amirul (18th) and Hanif Ibrahim (50th).
RESULTS
Yayasan Negri Sembilan 7 UiTM (3pm) 2, Kuala Lumpur HC 7 Nur Insafi 2, TNB 1 UniKL 2, Maybank 0 Sapura 2.
STANDINGS
P W D L F A Pt
KLHC 5 4 0 1 22 10 12
UNIKL-TRC 4 4 0 0 9 5 12
TNB 5 3 1 1 10 5 10
NUR INSAFI 4 3 0 1 10 10 9
YNS 4 2 0 2 15 11 6
SAPURA 5 2 0 3 14 13 6
MAYBANK 5 1 1 3 4 9 4
UITM 4 0 0 4 6 15 0
ATM-AIROD 4 0 0 4 4 16 0
DIVISION ONE
SUNDAY
Ipoh CC v Bandar Penawar Sports School (Azlan Shah Stadium, 5pm), ATM Jnrs v Malacca CC (Tun Razak Stadium, 5pm), UniTen v Universiti Sains Malaysia (KLHA Stadium, 5pm).
STANDINGS
P W D L F A Pt
ATM JNR 2 2 0 0 6 1 6
BJSS 3 2 0 1 7 3 6
BPSS 2 2 0 0 7 2 6
IPOH CH 3 1 1 1 8 8 4
MALACCA CC 3 1 0 2 3 4 3
USM 4 1 0 3 7 14 3
UNITEN 3 0 1 2 2 8 1
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
