UiTM lift President's Cup

KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) lived dangerously before edging Politeknik 4-2 in shoot-out to lift the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) President's Cup title Saturday.
  The match ended 1-1, when Politeknik's South Korean Oh Seyong shocked UiTM in the third minute with a field goal, but Azwar Rahman's 20th minute strike was enough to take the final to shoot-out.
  UiTM had trusted former women's national coach K. Gobinathan as their coach and he was delighted to take them into the Premier Division next season.
  "We had planned to win and play in the Premier Division next season and my players really did the university proud.
  "We had many on the injured list and that's why the final turned out to be our hardest game this season," said Gobinathan.
  UiTM kept a straight record to lift the League title, and even though they had to go into shoot-out for the President's Cup, Gobinathan was delighted.
  "We had trained for a shoot-out and it really helped. It was a tensed moment for us, but we achieved our target and that's what counts," said Gobinathan.
  In the bronze playoff, Nur Rahul Hrsikesa's solitary goal helped Kedah to beat Ipoh City Counil.
  President's Cup: Final -- UiTM 1 Politeknik 1 (UitM win 4-2 in shoot-out); Third-Fourth: Kedah 1 Ipoh City Counil 0.

Akmal's Lucky Strike for Ipoh...

KUALA LUMPUR: Akmal Tajuddin was the toast for Ipoh City Council in the President's Cup quarter-finals Tuesday, when he scored a last minute goal to beat Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) 4-3 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
  The Ipoh side will meet Divison One League champions Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM)-KPT in the semi-final Thursday.
  UiTM hammered Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Tigers 7-1 at the adjacent pitch.
  The SSTMI goals were scored by Shahhairul Rusyaidi (13th), Hanif Saad (29th), Sulaiman Razak (56th) and Akmal (60th).
  Ipoh got their goals off Hafizal Halmi (16th, 45th), Akmal Tajuddin (23rd).
  Ipoh City Council manager Azahari Effendy said: "We played without two key players in forward Soffian Kamaruddin and midfielder Heiry Pami as both are injured but we still went on to beat SSTMI.
  "We take on favourites UiTM for a place in the final, and I believe my players will give their best again," said Azahari.
  Kedah, with six foreign players, also advanced into the semi-finals by beating Penang Hockey Club 9-4 at the Sungai Petani Hockey Stadium.
  Kedah will face Politeknik-KPT in the other semi-finals.   
  PRESIDENTS CUP Q-finals -- KEDAH 9 PENANG HOCKEY CLUB 4; UITM-KPT 7 MBPJ TIGERS 1; SSTMI 3 IPOH CITY COUNCIL 4; POLITEKNIK-KPT 3 BJSS 2.
  WOMEN'S LEAGUE: MSN KEDAH 3 KL WIPERS 3, PENANG JUNIORS 2 TERENGGANU LADIES 7, BLUE WARRIORS 2 PKS UNITEN-KPT 2.

WOMEN'S STANDINGS  
                      P    W    D    L    F    A    Pts
PKS UNITEN-KPT        10    7    3    0    46    8    24
BLUE WARRIORS         10    7    3    0    45    9    24
TERENGGANU LADIES     9     6    2    1    33    11    20
KL WIPERS             10    2    2    6    10    40    8
MSN KEDAH              9    2    1    6    8    32    7
UITM                   9    2    0    7    12    24    6
PENANG JUNIORS         9    1    1    7    6    36    4

Selangor Under-16 trials..Postponed until further notice

 Postponed until further notice....

Makluman Awal Pemilihan U16 L& P Kebangsaan Pasukan Negeri Selangor

Pemilihan: *24 Feb 2018*
Tempat: *Stadium Hoki Pandamaran, Klang*
Masa: *3-7 ptg*

Lat. Pusat: *10-15 Mac 2018*
Game: *17-25 Mac 2018*

Van Huizen: No need to recall ex-internationals...

 PIC: From Left ... Shukri Mutalib, Stephen van Huizen and Razie Rahim.

PIC: From Left ... Stephen van Huizen,  Razie Rahim and Syed Syafiq Syed Cholan.

NATIONAL chief coach Stephen van Huizen has closed the door shut on ex-internationals, and prefers to bank on his tested players as well as four youth in a hectic hockey year.
  He feels the one-month Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) is not enough to gauge players, as they might have given their best for a short period only.
  "Well I know we have a very hectic year, with many tournaments and friendlies arranged, but I will stick with the best available in the country.
  "The 24 that I have are the best, and I also have four more young players in the back-up to promote if needed. In fact, after the two friendlies against Argentina I might name one or two young players to replace some injured seniors.
  "But there is no need for me to press the panic button and call ex-internationals," said van Huizen yesterday.
  He was speaking at a press conference arranged by Astro, who will telecast live matches of the Azlan Shah Cup on March 3-10.
  Malaysia will be up against World champions Australia, Olympic champions Argentina, Asia Cup champions India, England and Ireland in the Azlan Shah Cup.
  And two weeks later, its off to Gold Coast Australia for the Commonwealth Games (April 4-15) followed by the Asian Games (Aug 18-Sept 2), Asian Champions Trophy (Oct 18-28) and finally the World Cup (Nov 28-Dec 16).
  "Its a hectic year, and the main target is to win gold in the Asian Games and qualify for the Olympics so I will use all 24 Podium players as well as the four back up players and not recall ex-internationals who played in the MHL."
  The four back-up players are Najib Abu Hassan (TNB), Luqman Nul Hakim (Terengganu HT), Sufi Ismat (Terengganu HT) and Ashran Hamsani (Universiti KL).
  And with No 1 goalkeeper S. Kumar's doping case hearing yet to be fixed by the International Hockey Federation (FIH), van Huizen is training Junior World Cup goalkeeper Zaimi Mat Deris, alongside Hairi Abdul Rahman and Hafizuddin Othman.
  Among the ex-interantionals who played extremely well during the MHL were defender Baljit Singh (UniKL) and goalkeeper Roslan Jamaluddin (KLHC).

Singapore star fades away...

Singapore hockey star Surajan was like a ‘Don’, from the famous ‘The Godfather’ movie-sequels, very assertive in leadership, outstanding team player and, most importantly, very unassuming, off the field - JITA SINGH tells Suresh Nair

http://asiasamachar.com/2018/02/14/17786/