THE Azlan Shah Cup will be a six-team affair this year, as Pakistan sent an email to the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) secretaray Datuk Johari Aziz on Friday to pull out at the eleventh hour.
The tournament will be held from March 13-23, with the hosts battling against World No 1 Australia, Canada, China, South Africa and South Korea.
"I received an email late Friday from the Pakistan Hockey Federation informing me that they have decided to withdraw from the Azlan Shah Cup.
"Pakistan had confirmed their participation earlier, and their 11th hour withdrawal has placed Malaysia in a sticky situation. Now, it is too late to invite another team, and also we don't want to beg a team which is not interested to play.
"So, it will be a six team tournament this year," said Johari Aziz.
India were the first team to decline invitation, and then France pulled out to play in the Champions Challenge I in Kuantan instead and the replacement were South Africa.
Malaysia are the silver medallists, while Australia the defending champions.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Friday, February 21, 2014
Olak back in Division One...
OLD LA Sallians Association of Klang (Olak-PKT) came back from the dead to hold Bukit Jalil Sports School 1-1 to qualify for the Milo Cup and also assured themselves a promotion into Division One next year.
Olak have been out in the cold in Division Two since 2009, and after beating Nur Insafi 4-1 on Thursday in Group X, they will play a waiting game to see if they also qualify for the final of the Division Two playoffs.
Today, BJSS play Nur Insafi and the sports school needs to beat Nur Insafi by four clear goals to play against the champions of the Group Y playoffs.
BJSS drew first blood in the 20th minute when Abdul Syafiq scored a field goal, but Olak-PKT drew level
when Shafieq Dzulkifly slammed home from close range in the 65th minute.
"We lacked maturity to hold onto the early lead, and will have to play much better than today (yesterday) if we want to play in the finals of the playoffs. We also need to beat Nur Insafi so that we can advance to Division One next year," said BJSS coach S. Prakash.
Six teams from Division Two were divided into Group X and Y, and the champions in the round robbin qualify for the final on Sunday, while the top-two advance into the Milo Cup quarter-finals, and also move into Division One next year.
Olak-PKT team manager Joseph de Silva feels they were denied a penalty stroke: "We should have been awarded a penalty stroke but were denied. However, I am still happy that we will now play in Division One next year."
And on the waiting game: "It is out of our hands, and we can only watch from the sidelines and hope BJSS do not score four clear goals so that we can play in the final on Sunday," said de Silva.
BJSS played their first playoff match yesterday, while it was Olak's second consecutive match and the former champions looked lost and tired in the first half. However, a few determined runs by individuals in the last 10 minutes of the match won them the draw.
RESULTS: Olak-PKT 1 BJSS 1, Bakat MSSK x Politeknik KPM x.
TODAY: BJSS v Nur Insafi (5pm, National Stadium, II), Politeknik-KPM v MSP-Pahang (7pm, National Stadium, II).
Olak have been out in the cold in Division Two since 2009, and after beating Nur Insafi 4-1 on Thursday in Group X, they will play a waiting game to see if they also qualify for the final of the Division Two playoffs.
Today, BJSS play Nur Insafi and the sports school needs to beat Nur Insafi by four clear goals to play against the champions of the Group Y playoffs.
BJSS drew first blood in the 20th minute when Abdul Syafiq scored a field goal, but Olak-PKT drew level
when Shafieq Dzulkifly slammed home from close range in the 65th minute.
"We lacked maturity to hold onto the early lead, and will have to play much better than today (yesterday) if we want to play in the finals of the playoffs. We also need to beat Nur Insafi so that we can advance to Division One next year," said BJSS coach S. Prakash.
Six teams from Division Two were divided into Group X and Y, and the champions in the round robbin qualify for the final on Sunday, while the top-two advance into the Milo Cup quarter-finals, and also move into Division One next year.
Olak-PKT team manager Joseph de Silva feels they were denied a penalty stroke: "We should have been awarded a penalty stroke but were denied. However, I am still happy that we will now play in Division One next year."
And on the waiting game: "It is out of our hands, and we can only watch from the sidelines and hope BJSS do not score four clear goals so that we can play in the final on Sunday," said de Silva.
BJSS played their first playoff match yesterday, while it was Olak's second consecutive match and the former champions looked lost and tired in the first half. However, a few determined runs by individuals in the last 10 minutes of the match won them the draw.
RESULTS: Olak-PKT 1 BJSS 1, Bakat MSSK x Politeknik KPM x.
TODAY: BJSS v Nur Insafi (5pm, National Stadium, II), Politeknik-KPM v MSP-Pahang (7pm, National Stadium, II).
Easy for Olak..
OLD La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak-PKT) beat Nur Insafi of Penang 4-1 for a comfortable win in the Division Two Junior Hockey League playoffs at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil Thursday.
And in another match yesterday, MSP Pahang beat Bakat MSSK 3-2.
Six teams from Division Two are involved in the round-robbin playoffs, where four will advance to the quarterfinals against Division One sides SSTMI Thunderbolts, UniKL Young Guns, Petaling Jaya Municipal Council and Malacca High School.
Yesterday, Division Two top-scorer Mawardi Hamirin was the toast for Olak-PKT, as he assisted in the first goal, and then helped himself to two more goals to bring his tally to 12 goals.
The 18-year-old Mawardi from Sabah has a knack of making the right passes in the semi-circle, and looks set be be among the names which 2016 Junior World Cup coach Arul Selvaraj will name next week in his training squad.
Yesterday, the Olak-PKT goals were scored by V. Dilip (11th), Noor Khairul Azri (14th), Mawardi (20th, 40th). The Nur Insafi consolation was scored by Abdul Muhaimin in the 59th minute.
"I expected a win, but not such a high margin as Nur Insafi are the Group A champions. Credit is also due to my players, as they never let up the pressure from the start," said Olak team manager Joseph de Silva.
Olak-Pkt will next play Bukit Jalil Sports School today at the same venue.
"Our top-scorer Mawardi should turn out to be an asset to the country in the near future, and I would not be surprised if he makes his name in the 2016 Junior World Cup," said Joseph.
On Bukit Jalil today, Joseph feels it will be a tougher match: "But we are ready for them, as our aim is to play in Division One next year."
Nur Insafi were a jaded side, and only came alive in the last 10 minutes of the match, but it was too late to salvage the game.
FRIDAY: Olak-PKT v BJSS (5pm), Bakat MSSK v Politeknik KPM (5pm). Both matches at the National Hockey Stadium Pitch II.
And in another match yesterday, MSP Pahang beat Bakat MSSK 3-2.
Six teams from Division Two are involved in the round-robbin playoffs, where four will advance to the quarterfinals against Division One sides SSTMI Thunderbolts, UniKL Young Guns, Petaling Jaya Municipal Council and Malacca High School.
Yesterday, Division Two top-scorer Mawardi Hamirin was the toast for Olak-PKT, as he assisted in the first goal, and then helped himself to two more goals to bring his tally to 12 goals.
The 18-year-old Mawardi from Sabah has a knack of making the right passes in the semi-circle, and looks set be be among the names which 2016 Junior World Cup coach Arul Selvaraj will name next week in his training squad.
Yesterday, the Olak-PKT goals were scored by V. Dilip (11th), Noor Khairul Azri (14th), Mawardi (20th, 40th). The Nur Insafi consolation was scored by Abdul Muhaimin in the 59th minute.
"I expected a win, but not such a high margin as Nur Insafi are the Group A champions. Credit is also due to my players, as they never let up the pressure from the start," said Olak team manager Joseph de Silva.
Olak-Pkt will next play Bukit Jalil Sports School today at the same venue.
"Our top-scorer Mawardi should turn out to be an asset to the country in the near future, and I would not be surprised if he makes his name in the 2016 Junior World Cup," said Joseph.
On Bukit Jalil today, Joseph feels it will be a tougher match: "But we are ready for them, as our aim is to play in Division One next year."
Nur Insafi were a jaded side, and only came alive in the last 10 minutes of the match, but it was too late to salvage the game.
FRIDAY: Olak-PKT v BJSS (5pm), Bakat MSSK v Politeknik KPM (5pm). Both matches at the National Hockey Stadium Pitch II.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Advantage to Olak..
FORMER double champions Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak-PKT) are looking for a winning start when they meet Nur Insafi of Penang in the Division Two playoffs at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil today.
Olak were the Division Two Group B champions, while Nur Insafi the Division Two Group A champions -- making it a sizzling encounter.
"Our target this year was to become champions in our group and we achieved it, now we want to play in Division One next year, and to achieve that, we need a winning start against Nur Insafi," said Olak manager Joseph de Silva.
The top two teams in each of the Second Division pools qualified to play in the second round where the top four teams will not only play in the overall championships but also gain promotion to Division One for next season.
And it looks like Olak will achieve their target, as Nur Insafi are in dire straits.
Nur Insafi came through the group stages of Division Two with a perfect record, winning all their matches but despite a proud record, the Penang team are not counting on progressing to the knockout stages via the playoffs.
Nur Insafi travelled to Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday with only 16 players as those in school had to stay back to attend classes.
And after their first match against Olak-PKT, the numbers will be reduced to 14 as two players will travel back to Penang to attend classes.
Being a privately funded club, Nur Insafi also face financial woes as the trip for the playoffs cost them RM10,000.
"We will just troop onto the pitch and give it our best shot. It is unfair to have us play weekday matches when it was agreed that this will not be the case by MHC initially," said Nur Insafi coach Thaitchana Murthi.
"We wrote in to appeal but were told the decision was made and we are to adhere to it. So, I am left with an under strength side as parents are reluctant to let their kids miss school."
Thaitchana said that despite these odds he believed the players had what it takes to progress.
"If we qualify for the quarters then it will be the same issue, release of players and finance," he added.
And Olak have 10-goal scorer Mawardi Hamrin, 18, to do the damage.
"The boy is from Sabah and is the top scorer in Division Two, even though he is only 54kg and stands at 164cm he is a cracker. He is small in built, but has a big heart to score. I believe he will be heavily marked tomorrow (today) but he has the knack of getting out of sticky situations with ease," said De Silva.
Olak, according to De Silva, also have several other strikers to do the damage.
"We have many players who can score, and So I believe asking for a winning start from my players is not to big a request. The players know, as a privately funded club, we need to show results to keep the sponsors believing in us," said De Silva.
GROUP X GROUP Y
NURISAFI POLITEKNIK -KPM
OLAK-PKT BAKAT MSSK/PHK
BJSS MSP PAHANG
TODAY: Nur Insafi v Olak-PKT (5pm, National Stadium II), MSP-Pahang v Bakat-MSSK (7pm, national Stadium II).
Tomorrow: Olak -PKT v BJSS (5pm, National Stadium II), Bakat MSSK v Politeknik-KPM (7pm, national Stadium II).
Saturday: BJSS v Nur Insafi (5pm, National Stadium, II), Politeknik-KPM v MSP-Pahang (7pm, national Stadium, II).
Olak were the Division Two Group B champions, while Nur Insafi the Division Two Group A champions -- making it a sizzling encounter.
"Our target this year was to become champions in our group and we achieved it, now we want to play in Division One next year, and to achieve that, we need a winning start against Nur Insafi," said Olak manager Joseph de Silva.
The top two teams in each of the Second Division pools qualified to play in the second round where the top four teams will not only play in the overall championships but also gain promotion to Division One for next season.
And it looks like Olak will achieve their target, as Nur Insafi are in dire straits.
Nur Insafi came through the group stages of Division Two with a perfect record, winning all their matches but despite a proud record, the Penang team are not counting on progressing to the knockout stages via the playoffs.
Nur Insafi travelled to Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday with only 16 players as those in school had to stay back to attend classes.
And after their first match against Olak-PKT, the numbers will be reduced to 14 as two players will travel back to Penang to attend classes.
Being a privately funded club, Nur Insafi also face financial woes as the trip for the playoffs cost them RM10,000.
"We will just troop onto the pitch and give it our best shot. It is unfair to have us play weekday matches when it was agreed that this will not be the case by MHC initially," said Nur Insafi coach Thaitchana Murthi.
"We wrote in to appeal but were told the decision was made and we are to adhere to it. So, I am left with an under strength side as parents are reluctant to let their kids miss school."
Thaitchana said that despite these odds he believed the players had what it takes to progress.
"If we qualify for the quarters then it will be the same issue, release of players and finance," he added.
And Olak have 10-goal scorer Mawardi Hamrin, 18, to do the damage.
"The boy is from Sabah and is the top scorer in Division Two, even though he is only 54kg and stands at 164cm he is a cracker. He is small in built, but has a big heart to score. I believe he will be heavily marked tomorrow (today) but he has the knack of getting out of sticky situations with ease," said De Silva.
Olak, according to De Silva, also have several other strikers to do the damage.
"We have many players who can score, and So I believe asking for a winning start from my players is not to big a request. The players know, as a privately funded club, we need to show results to keep the sponsors believing in us," said De Silva.
GROUP X GROUP Y
NURISAFI POLITEKNIK -KPM
OLAK-PKT BAKAT MSSK/PHK
BJSS MSP PAHANG
TODAY: Nur Insafi v Olak-PKT (5pm, National Stadium II), MSP-Pahang v Bakat-MSSK (7pm, national Stadium II).
Tomorrow: Olak -PKT v BJSS (5pm, National Stadium II), Bakat MSSK v Politeknik-KPM (7pm, national Stadium II).
Saturday: BJSS v Nur Insafi (5pm, National Stadium, II), Politeknik-KPM v MSP-Pahang (7pm, national Stadium, II).
Monday, February 17, 2014
A scramble for six ,,
It will be a tough battle for six teams after the draw for the playoff of the Milo Cup was made at the National Hockey Stadium following the completion of the league stages of the Milo Junior Hockey League.
The top two teams in each of the Second Division pools qualified to play in the second round where the top four teams will not only play in the overall championships but also gain promotion to Division One for next season.
In Group X is Nur Isafi, Olak-PKT and Bukit Jalil Sports School while Group Y comprises of MS Pahang, Bakat – MSS Kelantan and Politeknik KPM. All matches will played at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil from February 2-23.
From the look of things, Group X is a tougher group given the stature of the teams placed in it.
“It is a tough draw as only two teams will make the cut for the quarterfinal. We have drawn the short straw as both Olak and Nur Insafi are good teams and have shown their ability by topping their respective pools in Division Two,” said BJSS coach S. Prakash.
For Olak-PKT manager Joseph de Silva, there are no favourite teams in the second round.
“We need to win to qualify and that is what we intend to do. It does not matter who we play as all teams that made the cut for the second round deserve to be there. So there is no such thing as favourites and the matches are there to be won,” said Joseph.
Meanwhile in the final Division One match, UniKL defeated Anderson 2-0 through a goals by Shafirul Aqmar M. Saiful (38th minute) and Zulhaziq Hashim ( 68th minute)
The win meant that Malacca High School took the last available spot from Division One to move into the quar terfinals for the overall battle for the Milo Cup.
In other matches, PH Kota Star SMK going down to a 1-5 defeat at the hands of Syed Hassan while Matri lost to 1MAS Penang 3-4, with MSSD Larut Matang Akademi being held to a 1-1 draw by Felda Temerloh with SM Sain Johor losing 0-6 to BJSS Juniors.
Play Off Draw
Group X
Nur Insafi
Olak-PKT
Bukit Jalil Sports School
Group Y
Politeknik KPM
Bakat-MSS Kelantan
MS Pahang Juniors
Note: Matches will be played at Bukit Jalil stadium on Feb 20-23. Top two teams of each pool will join SSTMI Thun derbolts, UniKL Young Guns, Petaling Jaya City Council and Malacca High School in quarterfinals of Milo Cup.
Roll of Honour
Division One
Champions: SSTMI Thunderbolts (RM15,000)
Runner Up: UniKL Young Guns (RM10,000)
Third: Petaling Jaya City Council (Rm8,000)
Fourth: Malacca High School (RM7,000)
Division Two A
Champion: Nur Insafi (RM5,000)
Runner Up: Bakat-MSS Kelanatan (RM3,000)
Division Two B
Champion: Olak-PKT (RM5,000)
Runner Up: MS Pahang Juniors (RM3,000)
Division Two C
Champions: Politeknik KPM (RM5,000)
Runner Up: Bukit Jalil Sports School (RM3,000)
Results:
Division One
UniKL Young Guns 2 Anderson 0
Division Two A
PH Kota Star 1 SMK Syed Hassan 5
Matri 3 1MAS Penang 4
Division Two B
MSSD Larut Matang Akademi 1 Felda Temerloh 1
Division Two C
SM Sain Johor 0 BJSS Juniors 6
The top two teams in each of the Second Division pools qualified to play in the second round where the top four teams will not only play in the overall championships but also gain promotion to Division One for next season.
In Group X is Nur Isafi, Olak-PKT and Bukit Jalil Sports School while Group Y comprises of MS Pahang, Bakat – MSS Kelantan and Politeknik KPM. All matches will played at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil from February 2-23.
From the look of things, Group X is a tougher group given the stature of the teams placed in it.
“It is a tough draw as only two teams will make the cut for the quarterfinal. We have drawn the short straw as both Olak and Nur Insafi are good teams and have shown their ability by topping their respective pools in Division Two,” said BJSS coach S. Prakash.
For Olak-PKT manager Joseph de Silva, there are no favourite teams in the second round.
“We need to win to qualify and that is what we intend to do. It does not matter who we play as all teams that made the cut for the second round deserve to be there. So there is no such thing as favourites and the matches are there to be won,” said Joseph.
Meanwhile in the final Division One match, UniKL defeated Anderson 2-0 through a goals by Shafirul Aqmar M. Saiful (38th minute) and Zulhaziq Hashim ( 68th minute)
The win meant that Malacca High School took the last available spot from Division One to move into the quar terfinals for the overall battle for the Milo Cup.
In other matches, PH Kota Star SMK going down to a 1-5 defeat at the hands of Syed Hassan while Matri lost to 1MAS Penang 3-4, with MSSD Larut Matang Akademi being held to a 1-1 draw by Felda Temerloh with SM Sain Johor losing 0-6 to BJSS Juniors.
Play Off Draw
Group X
Nur Insafi
Olak-PKT
Bukit Jalil Sports School
Group Y
Politeknik KPM
Bakat-MSS Kelantan
MS Pahang Juniors
Note: Matches will be played at Bukit Jalil stadium on Feb 20-23. Top two teams of each pool will join SSTMI Thun derbolts, UniKL Young Guns, Petaling Jaya City Council and Malacca High School in quarterfinals of Milo Cup.
Roll of Honour
Division One
Champions: SSTMI Thunderbolts (RM15,000)
Runner Up: UniKL Young Guns (RM10,000)
Third: Petaling Jaya City Council (Rm8,000)
Fourth: Malacca High School (RM7,000)
Division Two A
Champion: Nur Insafi (RM5,000)
Runner Up: Bakat-MSS Kelanatan (RM3,000)
Division Two B
Champion: Olak-PKT (RM5,000)
Runner Up: MS Pahang Juniors (RM3,000)
Division Two C
Champions: Politeknik KPM (RM5,000)
Runner Up: Bukit Jalil Sports School (RM3,000)
Results:
Division One
UniKL Young Guns 2 Anderson 0
Division Two A
PH Kota Star 1 SMK Syed Hassan 5
Matri 3 1MAS Penang 4
Division Two B
MSSD Larut Matang Akademi 1 Felda Temerloh 1
Division Two C
SM Sain Johor 0 BJSS Juniors 6
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