JHL: SSP-MSP Thunderbolts bounce back..

PAHANG Sports School (SSP-MSP Thunderbolts) bounced back in style when they hammered Petaling Jaya City Concil 4-1 in Division One of the Junior Hockey League yesterday.
  The win came at the back of a 2-3 defeat to UniKL Young Guns on Friday, with the heart-break being scored at the final minute of the match.
  And if SSP-MSP Thunderbolts maintain their fine run, they have a good chance of finishing at least second in the League.
  In another Division One match, Olak Tigers beat SSTMI Jnrs 2-0 with goals from Adhwa Jalil (29th) and S. Kavinash (30th).
  Yesterday, SSP-MSP Thunderbolts took a 2-0 lead off Idris Samad in the 4th and 17th minutes, before PJCC pulled one back off Faiq Razin in the 30th.
  But after the break SSP-MSP Thunderbolts killed off the fight with a brace from Kamil Yusop in the 40th and 53rd minutes.
  "My players were really motivated to win this match after losing our grip against UniKL at the last minute Friday. With this win, we have a good chance of finishing among the top-three this season," said SSP-MSP Thunderbolts coach Sufian Mohamed.
  There will be a two-weeks rest before the Pahang team takes on SMKDBL Young Guns.
  "The two-week rest also played a psychological role in our win today (yesterday) because my players went all out knowing that they have a long period to recover after this match. We will take a few days off hockey, before preparations start for the next four games," said Sufian.
  RESULTS -- Division One: Olak Tigers 2 SSTMI Jnrs 0, PJCC 1 SSP-MSP Thunderbolts 4.
  Division Two: Group A -- Kedah Jnrs 1 Penang MSSPP-USM 6, Azlan Shah Science 0 Perlis Young Lions Jnrs 7; Group B: Felda Jnrs 0 BJSS Jnrs 1, MISCF-UFL 1 Anderson PHA 3; Group C: Science Johor 1 Datuk Taha 5.
  TODAY: Division One: BJSS Thunderbolts v SMKDBL Young Guns (National Stadium I), UniKL Young Guns v SSTMI Jnrs (National Stadium II).
  Division Two: Group A: Perlis Young Lions Jnrs v MCKK (Kuala Perlis), Azlan Shah Science v Kedah Jnrs (Kuala Kangsar), Matri v MSS Kedah (kangar); Group B: MSSWPKL v Anderson PHA (Ministry Education), MISCF-UFL v Anderson Thunderbolts (KLHA); Group C: MSNT-PHT v TBSS Tampin (Padang Midin), Pahang Hockey Academy v Malacca High (Temerloh).
  Note: All matches at 5pm.


DIVISION ONE

                 P  W  D  L  F  A  Pts

SSTMI TNDER'      5 5 0 0 26 4   15
SSP-MSP-TNDER'    5 4 0 1 28 7   12
UNIKL YOUNG GUNS  5 3 0 2 12 13  9
OLAK TIGERS       6 3 0 3 14 19  9
POLITEKNIK        5 2 1 2 9  8   7
BJSS TNDER'       3 2 0 1 9  4   6
PJCC              5 2 0 3 7  11  6
SMKDBL YOUNG GUNS 5 1 1 3 9  14  4
NURINSAFI         5 0 2 3 6  21  2
SSTMI JRS         4 0 0 4 3  22  0

JHL: SSTMI Thunderbolts keep tight grip

JUNIOR Hockey League double champions SSTMI Thunderbolts were slow off the block, but picked up steam to beat Petaling Jaya City Council 4-0 in Division One yesterday.
  Unbeaten after five matches, SSTMI showed they are still the team to topple for titles this season.
  SSTMI only led by a solitary goal off Akhimullah Anuar in the 21st minute but after the half-time break, they hammered in four more goals off Shello Silverius (53rd), Fitri Khairul (60th) and Akhimullah again in the (62nd).
  In another match Division One match, UniKL Young Guns beat SSP-MSP Thunderbolts 3-2 with a last minute penalty corner goal.
  SSTMI coach Wan Roslan Wan Rahman was relieved that his players picked up the momentum in the second half.
  "PJCC played very well to contain us in the first half, but after the rest they started defending and that was when my players went up and scored three more goals.
  "The league is at its half-way for us and with five wins, we are on track to defend our title," said Wan Roslan.
  Wan Roslan feels the tournament will become tougher for them from now.
  "We have yet to play UniKL Young Guns, who always give their very best when playing against us over the years. Also Pahang Sports School (SSP-MSP Thunderbolts) have been playing as a unit for years and their players have matured and have a good understanding.
  "I believe both these matches will be tough, but we are game to defend our titles," said Wan Roslan who has taken SSTMI to four consecutive doubles.
  RESULTS -- Division One: UniKL Young Guns 3 SSP-MSP Thunderbolts 2, PJCC 0 SSTMI Thunderbolts 4, Nur Insafi 1 SMKDBL Young Guns 1.
  Division Two: Group A: Perlis Young Lions Jnr 1 Matri 1, MCKK 1 Perlis Young Lions 9; Group B: STAR 0 BJSS Jnrs 2, MSSWPKL 2 Anderson Thunderbolts 1, MSNPK/ILHC x Felda Juniors x; Group C: Pahang Hockey Academy 2 TBSS Tampin 3, Malacca High 7 MSNT-PHT 1, SMKDBL Jnrs 3 Datuk Taha 1.
  TODAY -- Division One: Olak Tigers v SSTMI Jnrs (Tun Razak), PJCC v SSP-MSP Thunderbolts (National Stadium II).
  Division Two: Group A -- Kedah Jnrs v Penang MSSPP-USM (Sungai Petani), Azlan Shah Science v Perlis Young Lions Jnrs (Kuala kangsar); Group B: Felda Jnrs v BJSS Jnrs (Azlan Shah I), MISCF-UFL v Anderson PHA (KLHA); Group C: Science Johor v Datuk Taha (Batu pahat).
  Note: All matches at 5pm.


DIVISION ONE

                 P  W  D  L  F  A  Pts

SSTMI TNDER'      5 5 0 0 26 4   15
SSP-MSP-TNDER'    4 3 0 1 24 6   9
UNIKL YOUNG GUNS  5 3 0 2 12 13  9
POLITEKNIK        5 2 1 2 9  8   7
BJSS TNDER'       3 2 0 1 9  4   6
PJCC              4 2 0 2 6  7   6
OLAK TIGERS       5 2 0 3 12 19  6
SMKDBL YOUNG GUNS 5 1 1 3 9  14  4
NURINSAFI         5 0 2 3 6  21  2
SSTMI JRS         3 0 0 3 3  20  0

JHL: Thunderbolts prosper...

JUNIOR Hockey League (JHL) title sponsors feted four Thunderbolts teams under their fold to a scrumptious lunch Thursday, with a promise to continue helping the teams prosper in the long run.
  Tenaga started by sponsoring Sekolah Sukan Tunku Mahkota Ismail (SSTMI) a decade ago, and the school now holds the distinction of four consecutive back-to-back doubles in the JHL.
  Three more teams were included under the Thunderbolts programme this year and they are Bukit Jalil Sports School and Pahang Sports School in Division One and Anderson in Division Two.
  The Thunderbolts programme, run by former internationals who are Tenaga employees, seem to have a golden tough as in Division One, SSTMI and Pahang Sports School are one-two, while BJSS fourth on the standings currently.
  Anderson are tops in Group B of Division Two with three wins so far.
  Today, Pahang Sports School will face their moment of truth when they play against a wounded UniKL Young Guns.
  "All four Thunderbolts gathered at the Kilat Club for lunch and motivational talk midway of the League and I can see that my players are really fired up to give their best in the remaining matches," said Pahang Sports School coach Sufian Mohamed.
  But Sufian admitted UniKL will nor be easy: "UniKL lost to Politeknik (1-0) last weekend and I believe they will also try their best to claw back into the League with a win against us. But I have faith in my players for full points," said Sufian.
  Pahang stared off by playing in Division Two, gained promotion and finished sixth in the League last season. This year, they have won all three matches and are second to SSTMI only because they have played one less match than the double champions.
  UniKL, double silver medallists last season, have had a poor season as they are sixth on the standings after losing two out of four matches.
   FRIDAY -- Division One: UniKL Young Guns v SSP-MSP Thunderbolts (National Stadium I), PJCC v SSTMI Thunderbolts (National Stadium II), Nur Insafi v SMKDBL Young Guns (Sungai Petani).
  Division Two: Group A: Perlis Young Lions Jnr v Matri (Kuala Perlis), MCKK v Perlis Young Lions (Kuala Kangsar); Group B: STAR v BJSS Jnrs (Azlan Shah I), MSSWPKL v Anderson Thunderbolts (Ministry of Education), MSNPK/ILHC v Felda Juniors (Azlan Shah II); Group C: Pahang Hockey Academy v TBSS Tampin (Temerloh), Malacca High v MSNT-PHT (Malacca), SMKDBL Jnrs v Datuk Taha (Batu Pahat).
  SATURDAY -- Division One: Olak Tigers v SSTMI Jnrs (Tun Razak), PJCC v SSP-MSP Thunderbolts (National Stadium II).
  Division Two: Group A -- Kedah Jnrs v Penang MSSPP-USM (Sungai Petani), Azlan Shah Science v Perlis Young Lions Jnrs (Kuala kangsar); Group B: Felda Jnrs v BJSS Jnrs (Azlan Shah I), MISCF-UFL v Anderson PHA (KLHA); Group C: Science Johor v Datuk Taha (Batu pahat).
  SUNDAY: Division One: BJSS Thunderbolts v SMKDBL Young Guns (National Stadium I), UniKL Young Guns v SSTMI Jnrs (National Stadium II).
  Division Two: Group A: Perlis Young Lions Jnrs v MCKK (Kuala Perlis), Azlan Shah Science v Kedah Jnrs (Kuala Kangsar), Matri v MSS Kedah (kangar); Group B: MSSWPKL v Anderson PHA (Ministry Education), MISCF-UFL v Anderson Thunderbolts (KLHA); Group C: MSNT-PHT v TBSS Tampin (Padang Midin), Pahang Hockey Academy v Malacca High (Temerloh).
  Note: All matches at 5pm.

DIVISION ONE

                 P  W  D  L  F  A  Pts

SSTMI TNDER'      4 4 0 0 22 4   12
SSP-MSP-TNDER'    3 3 0 0 22 3   9
POLITEKNIK        5 2 1 2 9  8   7
BJSS TNDER'       3 2 0 1 9  4   6
PJCC              3 2 0 1 6  3   6
UNIKL YOUNG GUNS  4 2 0 2 9  11  6
OLAK TIGERS       5 2 0 3 12 19  6
SMKDBL YOUNG GUNS 4 1 0 3 8  13  3
NURINSAFI         4 0 1 3 5  20  1
SSTMI JRS         3 0 0 3 3  20  0

JHL: Bad season so far...

THE Junior Hockey League (JHL) season is almost at its midway point, but teams or individual players have yet to show any promise in both the divisions.
  Initially a record 36 teams registered for the tournament which was incepted in 1995, but Larut Matang and Selama withdrew three days from the start.
  The remaining 35, 10 in Division One and 25 in Division Two, have dished out a paltry dish and there seem to be no above average talent who shone above the rest.
  In Division One, four-time consecutive double champions SSTMi Thunderbolts started off promisingly by beating SSTMI Juniors 8-1 and Olak Tigers 7-2, but struggled against last seaon's Division Two teams Nur Insafi and SMKDBL Young Guns.
  Boht the teams played in the Division Two final last season, where Nur Insafi edged SMKDBL Young Guns 3-2 -- and both the promoted to Division One this season.
  And surprisingly, SSTMI could only beat SMKDBL Young Guns 3-0 and let in the first goals against Nur Insafi before beating them 4-1.
   SSTMI meet Petaling Jaya City Council (PJCC) on Friday, and if they continue playing like this, they might drop three points.
  The only spark in this JHL is SSP-MSP-Thunderbolts who are second on the Division One standings but have played on ematch less that leaders SSTMI Thunderbolts.
  The Pahang Thunderbolts, SSP-MSP, are fielding four 16-year-olds, seven 17-year-olds, five 18-year-olds and only four 19-year-olds in the ongoing JHL.
  Some of their players, although yet to mature, have shown glitters of promise and could surprise the gallery when the dust settles.
  In Division Two the 25 teams, with 20 players each, are just going through the motions of completing their fixtures -- and that's 500 players who have poor basics.
  The stands have been empty not only of spectators, but also Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) officials and scouts.
  That's the state of the JHL at the half-way mark of the League stage.

                 P  W  D  L  F  A  Pts

SSTMI TNDER'      4 4 0 0 22 4  12
SSP-MSP-TNDER'    3 3 0 0 22 3  9
POLITEKNIK        4 2 1 1 7 5   7
BJSS TNDER'       3 2 0 1 9 4   6
PJCC              3 2 0 1 6 3   6
UNIKL YOUNG GUNS  4 2 0 2 9 11  6
SMKDBL YOUNG GUNS 4 1 0 3 8 13  3
OLAK TIGERS       4 1 0 3 9 17  3
NURINSAFI         4 0 1 3 5 29  1
SSTMI JRS         3 0 0 3 3 20  0

Politeknik's Fakhri sees off UniKL

LAST season's double silver medallists UniKL Young Guns received a massive blow when they were beaten 1-0 by Politeknik in Division one of the Junior Hockey League Saturday.
  UniKL wasted 12 penalty corners, one penalty stroke and had a goal disallowed in the drama-filled match before bowing out in this disastrous outing.
  The toast of Politeknik was Fakhri Ardillah who scored the winner in the 47th minute off a field attempt.
  Politeknik moved to third on the standings on seven points, while UniKL slid down to an all-time low sixth.
  "It was a disastrous outing as we wasted so many chances which included 12 penalty corners and a penalty stroke. This is a disaster of our own doing which had placed us in an all-time low over many seasons," said UniKL coach I. Vickneswaran.
  Double champions SSTMI Thunderbolts continued their path towards another League title when they beat Nur Insafi 4-1 to remain unbeaten after four matches to top the Division.
  "We have one week to train and claw back into the picture as we need to finish among the top-four to play in the knock-out stage. The players have themselves to blame as they somany chances to win the match but just could not score. Hopefully they wake up next weekend," said Vickneswaran.
  In the other match, Nur Insafi scored the first goal in the third minute off Azril Shaqeer but SSTMI Thunderbolts fought back with goals from by Aliff Syazwan (eighth), Akhimullah Anuar Essok (52nd, 56th) and Amirul Hamizan  Azahar (65th). 
  RESULTS: Division One: SMKDBL Young Guns 4 Olak Tigers 5, Politeknik 1 UniKL Young Guns 0, SSTMI Thunderbolts 4 Nur Insafi 1.
  Division Two: Group A: Matri 7 MCKK 2, MS Kedah 3 SM Sains Azlan Shah 0, Penang USM 1 Perlis Young Lions Juniors 4.
  Group B: MSSWPKL 4 MSNPK-ILHC 0, Anderson PHA 6 STAR 2.
  Group C: TBSS Tampin 5 Sabah Sports School 4, Young Hurricanes Malacca 4 SM Sains Johor 1, Malacca High School 2 SMKDBL Juniors 1.

DIVISION ONE

                 P  W  D  L  F  A  Pts

SSTMI TNDER'      4 4 0 0 22 4  12
SSP-MSP-TNDER'    3 3 0 0 22 3  9
POLITEKNIK        4 2 1 1 7 5   7
BJSS TNDER'       3 2 0 1 9 4   6
PJCC              3 2 0 1 6 3   6
UNIKL YOUNG GUNS  4 2 0 2 9 11  6
SMKDBL YOUNG GUNS 4 1 0 3 8 13  3
OLAK TIGERS       4 1 0 3 9 17  3
NURINSAFI         4 0 1 3 5 29  1
SSTMI JRS         3 0 0 3 3 20  0