Defending champions Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) kept up their winning ways in the MHF-Milo-NSC Junior Hockey League with a 5-0 victory over SM Tuanku Besar (TBSS) in a Division One match at the Tampin Hockey Stadium yesterday.
It was their second win in as many matches and they now lead the nine-team standings with six points. On Friday, they were 4-0 winners over BJSS Juniors.
Bandar Penawar Sports School (SSBP) and Tenaga Nasional also completed the weekend on a winning note.
SSBP whipped BJSS Juniors 6-0 at the Bandar Penawar Hockey Stadium while Tenaga proved a handful for Anderson by winning 3-0 at the Sultan Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh.
All three teams are on six points with goal difference separating them.
Four teams – Anderson, TBSS, SM Datuk Taha and Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (MBPJ) – are on one point from a draw after two matches.
BJSS coach S. Prakash said that they needed to keep up the winning momentum to stay ahead of their rivals.
“It is good to start off with a win and we must keep it going.
“For us the idea is to take one match at a time and keep collecting the points. There are other teams who can chase us,” added Prakash.
In the match against TBSS, five different scorers were on target for BJSS.
Ahmad Termidzi Ismail started the ball rolling in the ninth minute with a field goal followed by Mohd Shahram Zali in the 25th minute from a penalty corner conversion.
BJSS were in full control and in the 34th minute a field attempt by Mohamed Shaifulhafiz Jaafar allowed them to take a comfortable 3-0 lead at half- time.
Mohamed Izat Hakimi and Mohamed Shafiq Ahmad then added the other two goals in the 48th and 50th minutes.
In Ipoh, goals by Mohamed Shafiq Othman (19th), Meor Mohamed Ridhwan (44th) and Mohamed Hafizul Akmal (48th) gave former champions Tenaga victory.
It was the same story down south with the SSBP side enjoying full control over BJSS Juniors to walk off with a six-goal win.
Faisal Shaari and Mohamed Noor Fareez scored a brace each for the sports school while Eldon Lemery and Mohamed Shaidful Nizam contributed the other two goals.
In Division Two, newcomers MSS Kelantan are the early pacesetters with nine points after three wins in as many days.
Yesterday, they defeated winless Penang Free School-USM 2-0 to add to their earlier wins over Matri (5-0) and MSS Perlis (3-2).
MSN Malacca are second on seven points after two victories and a draw while MSSM KL are third, also with two wins and a draw.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Affiliates in the dark over Under-16 hockey tourney
This year’s Under-16 hockey tournament is in a real mess.
Consider this.
The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) had set March 8-16 as the dates for the tournament to be held in Penang.
Last month, Penang informed the MHF executive committee that they wanted to change the dates. The committee shot down the proposal and said they would hold it on the same dates at a different venue.
Until now, the MHF have not informed the states of the new hosts.
To make matters more confusing, the Sukan Teras unit of the National Sports Council (NSC) have told certain states that the tournament has been postponed.
This has led to states like Negri Sembilan to scrap their Under-16 inter-district tournaments.
“This is all simply confusing. We have been trying to get some answers but nothing is forthcoming from the MHF. All we are being told is that we will be informed later,” said one state secretary.
MHF secretary Hashim Mohamed Yusof could not be reached for comment yesterday.
This is not the first time Penang have created such a mess.
Last year, they were picked to host the Under-21 tournament. They kept postponing it until the MHF decided to call it off.
But MHF deputy president Tunku Abdul Majid Idris then stepped in and forced the competitions committee to hold the tournament in Kuala Lumpur in late December.
Is it going to be a case of deja-vu?
Consider this.
The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) had set March 8-16 as the dates for the tournament to be held in Penang.
Last month, Penang informed the MHF executive committee that they wanted to change the dates. The committee shot down the proposal and said they would hold it on the same dates at a different venue.
Until now, the MHF have not informed the states of the new hosts.
To make matters more confusing, the Sukan Teras unit of the National Sports Council (NSC) have told certain states that the tournament has been postponed.
This has led to states like Negri Sembilan to scrap their Under-16 inter-district tournaments.
“This is all simply confusing. We have been trying to get some answers but nothing is forthcoming from the MHF. All we are being told is that we will be informed later,” said one state secretary.
MHF secretary Hashim Mohamed Yusof could not be reached for comment yesterday.
This is not the first time Penang have created such a mess.
Last year, they were picked to host the Under-21 tournament. They kept postponing it until the MHF decided to call it off.
But MHF deputy president Tunku Abdul Majid Idris then stepped in and forced the competitions committee to hold the tournament in Kuala Lumpur in late December.
Is it going to be a case of deja-vu?
BJSS rout Juniors in opening match
Defending champions Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) got their MHF-Milo-NSC Junior Hockey League campaign off on a winning note when they beat BJSS Juniors 4-0 at the Tun Razak Stadium.
A brace by Azreen Rizal Nasir (12th, 20th minutes), and a goal each from Faridzul Afiq (42nd) and Mohd Izzat Rahim (59th) sealed victory for BJSS.
Apart from a hand injury to youngster Mohd Fahmi Faiz, BJSS coach S. Prakash was happy with their opening match.
“It was a good workout for us. The players are more settled now that the first game is out of the way,” he said.
Former champions Tenaga Nasional also won their opening match, edging Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak) 2-1 at the Pandamaran Hockey Stadium in Klang.
Tenaga led 2-0, courtesy of goals by Faisal Yacob (24th minute) and Mohd Hafizul Akmal (40th). Olak replied through skipper S. Vel Murugan in the 32nd minute.
At the Tampin Hockey Stadium, SM Tuanku Besar drew 2-2 with SM Datuk Taha.
Mohd Khaireen Mohd Zain and Mohd Nazri Azman scored for Datuk Taha while Norazlan Abdul Ghani and Mohd Marlan Mohd Jalil replied for Tuanku Besar.
There was a goal feast in Division Two, with 32 goals being scored in five matches.
In a match between two newcomers, MSN Malacca hammered SS Alam Shah 13-0 at the Seremban Two Hockey Stadium.
MSSM KL beat Penang’s Mutiara Impian 5-0, MSN Kelantan scored a similar win over Matri of Perlis and Bandar Penawar Juniors whipped SAB College 4-0.
A brace by Azreen Rizal Nasir (12th, 20th minutes), and a goal each from Faridzul Afiq (42nd) and Mohd Izzat Rahim (59th) sealed victory for BJSS.
Apart from a hand injury to youngster Mohd Fahmi Faiz, BJSS coach S. Prakash was happy with their opening match.
“It was a good workout for us. The players are more settled now that the first game is out of the way,” he said.
Former champions Tenaga Nasional also won their opening match, edging Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak) 2-1 at the Pandamaran Hockey Stadium in Klang.
Tenaga led 2-0, courtesy of goals by Faisal Yacob (24th minute) and Mohd Hafizul Akmal (40th). Olak replied through skipper S. Vel Murugan in the 32nd minute.
At the Tampin Hockey Stadium, SM Tuanku Besar drew 2-2 with SM Datuk Taha.
Mohd Khaireen Mohd Zain and Mohd Nazri Azman scored for Datuk Taha while Norazlan Abdul Ghani and Mohd Marlan Mohd Jalil replied for Tuanku Besar.
There was a goal feast in Division Two, with 32 goals being scored in five matches.
In a match between two newcomers, MSN Malacca hammered SS Alam Shah 13-0 at the Seremban Two Hockey Stadium.
MSSM KL beat Penang’s Mutiara Impian 5-0, MSN Kelantan scored a similar win over Matri of Perlis and Bandar Penawar Juniors whipped SAB College 4-0.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Debutants MSN Malacca set ambitious targets
Malaysia Junior Hockey League (MJHL) debutants MSN Malacca have set themselves lofty targets – finish top of Division Two and qualify for the final of the overall title.
Malacca's optimism stems from the fact that nine players, who helped the State clinch the national Under-21 title in Kuala Lumpur last month, will be leading their MJHL challenge.
“The prospect of us doing well in the league depends on how we fare in our opening three matches on consecutive days. If we can pull through with three wins, then we will be more than ready for successful debut,” said team manager Francis Leong.
“Our target is to go all out to top the league and then to set our focus on making the final for the overall title.”
MSN Malacca open their campaign away in Seremban against SS Alam Shah tomorrow, followed by a trip to Johor to play Sultan Abu Bakar College and Bandar Penawar Sports School over the weekend at the Bukit Serendit Hockey Stadium.
The team have been training since late last year, preparing for the Under-21 competition, the Terengganu Malaysia Games (Sukma) in June and the MJHL.
Malacca's optimism stems from the fact that nine players, who helped the State clinch the national Under-21 title in Kuala Lumpur last month, will be leading their MJHL challenge.
“The prospect of us doing well in the league depends on how we fare in our opening three matches on consecutive days. If we can pull through with three wins, then we will be more than ready for successful debut,” said team manager Francis Leong.
“Our target is to go all out to top the league and then to set our focus on making the final for the overall title.”
MSN Malacca open their campaign away in Seremban against SS Alam Shah tomorrow, followed by a trip to Johor to play Sultan Abu Bakar College and Bandar Penawar Sports School over the weekend at the Bukit Serendit Hockey Stadium.
The team have been training since late last year, preparing for the Under-21 competition, the Terengganu Malaysia Games (Sukma) in June and the MJHL.
Barren Tenaga aim to spark a revival
Seasoned campaigners Tenaga Nasional have gone three seasons without lifting a single trophy.
This year, they hope to win at least one of the two titles at stake in the Malaysia Junior Hockey League, which begins tomorrow.
Last year, Tenaga finished third in the league and lost to Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) in the final for the overall title.
“We have retained eight players from last year’s squad and the boys are more than ready to give their best after more than one month of training and practice matches with the senior squad,” said K. Rajan, who has been made the team manager this season after coaching the Tenaga junior team since 1996.
The eight players who featured for Tenaga last year are goalkeeper Mahadi Suliaman, defenders Mohd Rashidi Nordin and S. Anesh Kumar, midfielders Mohd Syafiq Othman and forwards Mohd Hafizi Non Aseli, R. Ramesh, R. Dinnesh and Harvinder Singh.
Rajan said the 19 players registered for the team would be offered jobs with Tenaga Nasional if they performed well in the MJHL.
Former internationals Lailin Abu Hassan and Nor Azlan Bakar will coach the team this season.
This year, they hope to win at least one of the two titles at stake in the Malaysia Junior Hockey League, which begins tomorrow.
Last year, Tenaga finished third in the league and lost to Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) in the final for the overall title.
“We have retained eight players from last year’s squad and the boys are more than ready to give their best after more than one month of training and practice matches with the senior squad,” said K. Rajan, who has been made the team manager this season after coaching the Tenaga junior team since 1996.
The eight players who featured for Tenaga last year are goalkeeper Mahadi Suliaman, defenders Mohd Rashidi Nordin and S. Anesh Kumar, midfielders Mohd Syafiq Othman and forwards Mohd Hafizi Non Aseli, R. Ramesh, R. Dinnesh and Harvinder Singh.
Rajan said the 19 players registered for the team would be offered jobs with Tenaga Nasional if they performed well in the MJHL.
Former internationals Lailin Abu Hassan and Nor Azlan Bakar will coach the team this season.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Yahya: Time for Bandar Penawar to go for the title
Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS) are into their sixth year in the Malaysia Junior Hockey League. And this time, they have set very high targets – win the league and make the final for the overall title.
The majority of the players have been with the team since 2003 and coach Yahya Atan (pic) feels that the time has come for them to challenge for one of the two titles at stake this year.
“The target is go all out to finish top in the league and try to make the final for the overall title,” said Yahya yesterday.
“It is not going to be easy but since the team was formed in 2003 we have improved each year. And it is time we get into the title.”
The team will, however, have to achieve their targets without three players from last year’s squad. Mohd Nor Hafiq Abdul Ghaffar, Mohd Andika and Mohd Azzami Adabi have joined Batu Pahat-MSJ, who are Johor’s Sukma team.
The overall strength is still there with 16 players remaining together over the last five years.
BPSS won the Division Two title in 2006 to gain promotion to Division One last year.
Last year, they finished fourth in Division One and made it to the semi-finals for the overall title for the first time. They lost in the last four on penalties to eventual champions Bukit Jalil Sports School. In the play-off for third placing, they were edged to MBPJ.
“It was our best year in the league and the players are starting to show their worth. I expect a better performance this year and we are targeting the final (for the overall title) this year. We would have been stronger had the three players stayed with us but I think we still have enough experience to achieve out targets,” said Yahya.
Apart from his side, Yahya expects three other teams to be involved in the title chase, with Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) the favourites to retain both titles. Tenaga Nasional and Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) are his other picks.
“At the same time I would not discount teams like Anderson and SMK Tunku Jaafar. These two have improved over the last two years and could spring a few surprises,” he said.
Another reason for Yahya’s confidence in his team’s prospect is the fact that seven of his players are in the national training squad.
“This is always a plus point as they will be exposed to a higher level of training. Fitness and tactics will play a crucial part in the title run-up. We have to be ready from day one,” he said.
The majority of the players have been with the team since 2003 and coach Yahya Atan (pic) feels that the time has come for them to challenge for one of the two titles at stake this year.
“The target is go all out to finish top in the league and try to make the final for the overall title,” said Yahya yesterday.
“It is not going to be easy but since the team was formed in 2003 we have improved each year. And it is time we get into the title.”
The team will, however, have to achieve their targets without three players from last year’s squad. Mohd Nor Hafiq Abdul Ghaffar, Mohd Andika and Mohd Azzami Adabi have joined Batu Pahat-MSJ, who are Johor’s Sukma team.
The overall strength is still there with 16 players remaining together over the last five years.
BPSS won the Division Two title in 2006 to gain promotion to Division One last year.
Last year, they finished fourth in Division One and made it to the semi-finals for the overall title for the first time. They lost in the last four on penalties to eventual champions Bukit Jalil Sports School. In the play-off for third placing, they were edged to MBPJ.
“It was our best year in the league and the players are starting to show their worth. I expect a better performance this year and we are targeting the final (for the overall title) this year. We would have been stronger had the three players stayed with us but I think we still have enough experience to achieve out targets,” said Yahya.
Apart from his side, Yahya expects three other teams to be involved in the title chase, with Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) the favourites to retain both titles. Tenaga Nasional and Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) are his other picks.
“At the same time I would not discount teams like Anderson and SMK Tunku Jaafar. These two have improved over the last two years and could spring a few surprises,” he said.
Another reason for Yahya’s confidence in his team’s prospect is the fact that seven of his players are in the national training squad.
“This is always a plus point as they will be exposed to a higher level of training. Fitness and tactics will play a crucial part in the title run-up. We have to be ready from day one,” he said.
New Zealand edge Argentina to make the grade for Beijing
The New Zealand hockey team grabbed one of the three remaining places in the Beijing Olympics when they won the first qualifying event held in Auckland yesterday.
The Kiwis defeated Argentina 3-2 in the final of the six-team event.
France finished third after beating Ireland 2-1 while Trinidad and Tobago came in fifth with a 1-0 win over the United States.
In the final yesterday, New Zealand grabbed the winner through a golden goal by Brad Shaw in the last minute extra time after the match ended 2-2 in regulation time.
The other Kiwi scorers were David Koosof (49th minute) and Hayden Shaw (66th) while the Argentines replied through Lucas Vila (24th) and Mati Vila (52nd).
This is the second time that the Argentines have failed to make the grade for the Beijing Olympics. Last year, they lost in the final of the Pan-American Cup to Canada, who went on to secure the automatic berth from the continent.
The other two countries for the remaining places will be known after the qualifiers in Chile and Japan.
The second qualifiers, to be held in Santiago from March 1-9, will feature India, Britain, Chile, Austria, Bangladesh and Mexico.
The third qualifiers, to be held in Kakamigahara, Gifu in Japan from April 5-13, will have Malaysia, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, Poland and Italy in the fray.
The teams who had earlier qualified for Beijing are Australia, China, South Korea, Pakistan, Holland, Spain, Canada, South Africa and Belgium.
The Kiwis defeated Argentina 3-2 in the final of the six-team event.
France finished third after beating Ireland 2-1 while Trinidad and Tobago came in fifth with a 1-0 win over the United States.
In the final yesterday, New Zealand grabbed the winner through a golden goal by Brad Shaw in the last minute extra time after the match ended 2-2 in regulation time.
The other Kiwi scorers were David Koosof (49th minute) and Hayden Shaw (66th) while the Argentines replied through Lucas Vila (24th) and Mati Vila (52nd).
This is the second time that the Argentines have failed to make the grade for the Beijing Olympics. Last year, they lost in the final of the Pan-American Cup to Canada, who went on to secure the automatic berth from the continent.
The other two countries for the remaining places will be known after the qualifiers in Chile and Japan.
The second qualifiers, to be held in Santiago from March 1-9, will feature India, Britain, Chile, Austria, Bangladesh and Mexico.
The third qualifiers, to be held in Kakamigahara, Gifu in Japan from April 5-13, will have Malaysia, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, Poland and Italy in the fray.
The teams who had earlier qualified for Beijing are Australia, China, South Korea, Pakistan, Holland, Spain, Canada, South Africa and Belgium.
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