Div 2 :: Malacca banking on penalty corner specialist

MSN Malacca will bank on penalty corner flicker Mohd Hanif Rahim to help them secure a place in the quarter-finals of the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) Under-19 competition.

The Malacca side have 13 points from 10 matches in Division Two and they need to beat JSC-Batu Pahat at the Johor Baru Hockey Stadium today to advance.

Hanif has scored nine goals in eight matches and coach G. Ravindran is confident that the defender will deliver the goods.

Hanif admitted that the pressure was on him and he hoped that he would be able to live up to expectations.

“We not only have to collect full points but also have to win the match by a convincing margin because Setapak High School are also in the running for a place in the quarter-finals,’’ said the Malacca High School student.

Setapak High School also have 13 points going into the final league fixture today against Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak). But they are behind MSN Malacca by an inferior one-goal difference.

Former champions Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) have 15 points and they are expected to beat Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) Juniors today to qualify for the quarter-finals.

The teams who have qualified from Division Two are BJSS, Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS), Tenaga Nasional and Anderson. The two qualifiers from Division Three are Nur Insafi and SMK Temerloh.