Hockey: BJSS Juniors Edge Anderson

Jugjet Singh
jugjetsingh@nst.com.my

BUKIT Jalil Sports School (BJSS) Juniors beat Anderson of Ipoh 2-1 in Division One of the MHF-NSC-Milo Junior Hockey League at the Azlan Shah Stadium yesterday.

The BJSS Juniors goals were scored by Zizi Azwan Hassan Basri (41st) and Rafizul Ezry Mustafa (51st).

The Anderson scorer was N. Kaatigan in the 55th minute.

RESULTS: Division One -- Anderson 1 BJSS Juniors 2.

Division Two (Group A): Matri 2 MSSPP-USM 2; Group B: TBSS 6 MSSPP-Juniors 0, Padang Midin 0 Johor 2.

TODAY: Division One -- UniKL v BPSS Juniors (KLHA, 4.30pm), PJCC v Pahang (Tun Razak, 4.30pm), Kelantan v BPSS (Terengganu. 4.30pm).

Division Two (Group A): Datuk Taha v Sheikh Ahmad (Tampin, 4.30pm).

Read more: Hockey: BJSS Juniors edge Anderson http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/lknf312/Article/index_html#ixzz1JqEPiCZz

UniKL A Step Closer To Winning Junior League Title

KUALA LUMPUR: Defending overall champions Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) scored a convincing 3-0 win over former champions Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) at the Education Ministry Turf to take a step closer to winning the Malaysian Junior Hockey League (MJHL) Division One title yesterday.

It was UniKL’s seventh consecutive win and it puts them at the top of the Division One standings with 21 points.

BJSS, five-time double champions in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009, are as good as out of the running for the league title after going down to their second defeat.

The sports school lost 1-3 to reigning champions Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS)-Thunderbolt two weeks ago.

The UniKL-BJSS match was supposed to start at 4.30pm but was delayed by 35 minutes due to a downpour.

But once the match got under way, there was no stopping UniKL, who got their goals through defender Mohd Zulhairi Hashim (32nd minute), Mohd Syafiq Zulzairin (52nd) and Mohd Taufik Abdul Hamid (57th).

UniKL coach S. Velappan was delighted with his team’s convincing win over BJSS.

“BJSS gave us a tough fight ... they created some scoring chances in the first-half. My players looked lethargic in the first-half but the penalty corner goal by Zulhairi in the 32nd minute gave them a big lift,” he said.

BJSS coach S. Prakash was also full of praise for his boys despite the defeat.

“My boys gave a good fight but we just could not score. With this loss, our hopes of finishing in the top two in Division One is over. Now, we will try to finish third,” said Prakash.

BPSS-Thunderbolt, meanwhile, chalked up their six straight win when they trounced MSS Pahang 7-1 at the Kuantan Hockey Stadium yesterday.

Mohd Syafik Nordin (23rd minute), Mohd Rasul Mohd Yusof (36th), Shahrusahadan Basri (44th), Mohd Dzahiruddin Illyas (45th), Hairulnizam Maizan (60th), Mohd Hafiz Seleman (63rd) and Mohd Shahril Saabah (66th) scored for BPSS-Thunderbolt.

Mohd Arif Salehuddin Suken scored MSS Pahang’s consolation goal in the 29th minute.

Prakash Wants His Boys To Get Act Right Against Leaders UniKL

KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) coach S. Prakash wants his players to shape up and get their act right ahead of their Malaysia Junior Hockey League (MJHL) Division One match against leaders Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) at the Education Ministry Turf here tomorrow.

Prakash said that his players had not played to their true form in the last five matches.

“My boys have only been playing well in patches. I want them to play with their hearts out to get the better of title favourites UniKL,” he said.

Dangerman: BJSS are banking on striker Faridzul Afiq to deliver against UniKL.

“We are the most successful team in the league (since its inception in 1995) and I believe my players can rise to the occasion again.”

The national sports school have bagged 12 titles since 2003 and they won the double five times (2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009).

But last year, they finished third in Division One behind Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS)-Thunderbolt and UniKL. They were also third in the competition for the overall title won by UniKL, who beat BPSS-Thunderbolt in the final.

Currently, BJSS are in third spot in the league standings on 12 points from four wins and a defeat. They were beaten 1-3 by BPSS-Thunderbolt.

UniKL are the leaders with maximum points from six matches while BPSS-Thunderbolt are in second spot with 15 points from five matches.

Prakash, who has been the BJSS coach since 2001, added that a defeat by UniKL tomorrow would end their hopes of winning the league title.

“Our mission this year is to win at least one title. However, we will start as underdogs against UniKL, who have been playing exceptionally well in the league,” he said.

“Our defence will face a tough task to stop their forwards, who have scored a total of 26 goals in the last three matches.”

UniKL were in smashing form in the last three matches, whipping Anderson (10-0), MSS Pahang (8-0) and MSS Kelantan (8-1).

Last year, BJSS drew 1-1 against UniKL in the league and were beaten 1-2 in a one-leg semi-final match of the knockout competition.

Prakash said that BJSS would bank on defender G. Kavin Kartik to deliver the goals from penalty corners.
“I hope the forwards, Dangerous (Lee), Faridzul (Afiq), Mohd Asraf (Bahari), Ahmed (Iqwan Shah) and Mohd Haziq (Samsul), will make good use of the chances to score,” he said.

Hockey: BPSS Show BJSS Who's Boss

BANDAR Penawar Sports School (BPSS) won the battle of sports schools when they easily side-stepped Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) 3-1 in Division One of the MHF-NSC-Milo Junior Hockey League at the Ministry of Education stadium yesterday.

The win was a relief for BPSS coach Wan Roslan, who declared that one tough hurdle was cleared on their path to the League title.

"This was a very important win, as it took out one strong title contender out of our path and now we only have UniKL to beat before making a home run," said Wan Roslan.

BJSS were guilty of bungling five penalty corners, while BPSS sent the only one they received in 70 minutes high into the netting.
"We knew their penalty corner variations, and defended well. That was a turning point in the match, as BJSS players started to get frustrated when they failed to score from penalty corners," said Wan Roslan.

BJSS coach S. Prakash conceded that his players were out-foxed in the penalty corners.

"Four former BJSS players are now with BPSS, and they knew exactly how to stop our penalty corner variations. Also, most of the BPSS boys are Project players, and it was uphill for my players from the start," said Prakash.

The BPSS goals were scored by Shahril Saabah (13th), Syafik Nordin (22nd) and Hairulnizam Maizan (58th).

The BJSS goal was scored by Karvin Kartik off a penalty stroke in the 33rd minute.

In another Division One match, UniKL kept the title in sight when they hammered Anderson 10-0. The UniKL goals were scored by Shamin Yusof (fourth, 70th), Nor Aqmal Ghaffar (21st), Syafiq Zulzairin (29th), Izad Hakimi (45th, 47th), Zulhairi Hashim (45th, 62nd), Hafiz Zainol (51st), Rashid Baharom (58th).

RESULTS -- Division One: BJSS 1 BPSS 3, UniKL 10 Anderson 0.

Division Two (Group A): Malacca High 1 MSSPP-USM 4.

Group B: Johor 6 Olak-PKT 1.

TODAY -- Division One: BJSS Juniors v Pahang (Ministry of Education, 4.30pm), Ipoh Juniors v Anderson (Azlan Shah Stadium, 4.30pm), BPSS v Juniors v Petaling Jaya CC (Taman Daya, 4.30pm).

Division Two (Group A): MSSWP-KLHC v Johor (KLHA, 4.30pm), BPSS-WHA v Politeknik KPT (Taman Daya, 4.30pm)

Group B: TBSS v Olak-PKT (Seremban, 4.30pm).


Read more: Hockey: BPSS show BJSS who's boss http://www.nst.com.my/articles/61jughikky/Article/#ixzz1IWVbcjKe

Champs BPSS March On, UniKL Win Big To Head Table

KUALA LUMPUR: Bandar Penawar SS-Thunderbolt took a big step towards retaining their Division One title in the Malaysia Junior Hockey League (MJHL) when they downed former champions Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) 3-1 at the Education Ministry Turf in Jalan Pantai yesterday.

But it was Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) who went to the top of the standings after their 10-0 drubbing of SMK Anderson at the adjacent KL Hockey Stadium.

Both teams have 12 points from four outings but UniKL have a better goal difference after their big win over Anderson.

BPSS-Thunderbolt have now eliminated one top rival in the title race and will be aiming to keep up the winning run when they meet their unbeaten junior side Johor Baru today.

 

Tangled: BJSS’ Faridzul Afiq trying to stop BPSS’ Faiz Helmi Jali during their MJHL match in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

It was the BPSS-Thunderbolt team’s fourth win in as many matches.

Yesterday they started aggressively and took the lead in the 13th minute through Mohamed Shahril Saabah from a field attempt.

And in the 22nd minute Mohamed Shafiq Nordin increased the lead with another field goal.

BJSS quickly reduced the deficit a minute later through G. Kavin Kartik off a penalty stroke conversion.
BJSS went in search of the equaliser but it never came as Hairulnizam Maizan scored from a penalty corner set piece to make it 3-1 in the 58th minute.

BJSS coach S. Prakash said that they played their best game to date but it was still not enough to turn the tide their way.

“We had good chances to get the goals and even had six penalty corners. But they read our moves well,” said Prakash.

“They have some very good experienced players and the majority of them are from the Project 2013 team.
“Although we were down 1-2 in the first half, our players did well to control play and it was only a silly mistake that gave them the third goal.

“Our title chances might be dented but I think we need to keep the faith and see how the other results go. We must stay in a position to capitalise on any slip-ups by the top teams.”

In the second match of the day in Division One UniKL run riot over the Ipoh team.

Mohamed Shamin Mohamed Yusof, Mohamed Izat Hakim and Mohamed Zulhairi Hashim scored a brace each.

The other goal scorers were Mohamed Nor Aqmal Abdul Ghaffar, Mohamed Hafiz Zainol, Mohamed Rashid Baharom and Muhamed Syafiq Zulzairin.

Sports Schools’ Juniors Carve Out Convincing Wins

KUALA LUMPUR: The two junior teams of the national sports schools carved out victories in Division One of the Malaysia Junior Hockey League (MJHL) yesterday to stay in the loop for a top-six finish.

The Bandar Penawar (BPSS) juniors came back from a two-goal deficit to beat Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) 4-2 at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Baru.

And the Bukit Jalil (BJSS) juniors defeated MSS Pahang 3-1 at the Education Ministry Turf here to notch their first win in the competition.

Former national schools champions Anderson was also in a winning mood as they saw off the challenge from Ipoh City Council with a 2-1 victory at the Sultan Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh.

BPSS Juniors are in fourth place in the standings with nine points after five matches. Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) lead on 12 points, ahead of BPSS-Thunderbolt on goal difference. BJSS are in third place. The three teams did not have a game yesterday.

MBPJ have now gone four matches without a win and they are virtually out of contention for a place in the knockout stage.

Harmesh Singh opened the scoring for the PJ side against BPSS Juniors in the 12th minute and Mohamed Hanif increased the lead in the 33rd minute.

BPSS Juniors hit back with goals by Mohamed Amirol Aideed (45th), Mohamed Sufi Ismat (46th), Azmi Deraman (52nd) and Fahmi Zulhelmi (59th).

BJSS Juniors also had some resistance from MSS Pahang in the early stages before taking full points.
Their goal scorers were Zizi Azwan (28th), Norshafiq Sumantri (50th) and Mohamed Zulhziq (63rd) while Mohamed Fahmy Abdullah scored MSS Pahang goal in the 48th minute.

Anderson also scored a come-from-behind win. Ipoh CC led through a penalty corner goal by Mohamed Nidzam in the 33rd minute. But N. Kartigaan and Mohamed Ashran struck for Anderson with field goals in the 43rd and 60th minutes respectively.

BJSS Juniors Given A Lesson

BUKIT Jalil Sports School hammered BJSS Juniors 5-0 in Division One of the MHF-NSC-Milo Junior Hockey League match at the Ministry of Education Stadium yesterday.

The match was termed as a warm-up by BJSS coach S. Prakash for their crunch match against Bandar Penawar Sports School.

BJSS scored at ease, and at some stages of the match, looked liked they were holding back from scoring more.

Ahmed Iqwan started the rout with a third minute goal, while the other goals were scored by Shahirman Zali (seventh), Haziq Samsul (28th), Faridzul Afiq (59th) and Asraf Bahari (70th).
"It was a good outing, and I did not push the players to the maximum because two seasons ago, one of my players broke a finger when playing against our junior side.

"Also, we have a tough game against BPSS on Saturday, and it would have been foolish to go all out, as we only have one rest day," said Prakash.

TODAY -- Division One: Petaling Jaya CC v UniKL (Tun Razak Stadium, 4.30pm), Ipoh Juniors v Kelantan (Azlan Shah Stadium, 4.30pm).

Division Two (Group A): Datuk Taha v Politeknik KPT (Tampin Pitch, 4.30pm).


Read more: BJSS Juniors given a lesson http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/46cbcb/Article#ixzz1IEUZeWDQ

Conversion Rate Too Low, Says Prakash

KUALA LUMPUR: Former champions Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) coach S. Prakash is concerned over his team’s poor penalty corner conversion rate in the Malaysian Junior Hockey League (MJHL).

The five-time double champions drew blanks in six attempts in their opening two Division One matches last week – against Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and Ipoh City Hall Juniors.

Prakash, who has been coaching the BJSS team since 2001, said that it was a big disappointment, considering that they have the top two junior penalty corner flickers in G. Kavin Kartik and Dangerous Lee.

“Penalty corners play an important part in winning matches but we are struggling in the execution of the set-pieces,” he said.

“Kavin and Dangerous perform well in training but they have failed to get it right in the league matches thus far.”

BJSS are in second place in the 10-team standings on full points from the victories over MBPJ (2-1) and Ipoh City Hall Juniors (2-0).

Their next match is against BJSS Juniors at the Education Ministry Turf today.

Prakash hopes that Kavin, who was in the national team for the 2009 Junior World Cup Finals in Johor Baru, would be able to score his first penalty corner goal of the season against BJSS Juniors.

“We are playing against our own junior team but it will not be easy if the conditions are hot and humid,” he said.

“We struggled to beat the Ipoh City Hall Junior team in the blistering heat on Sunday. I hope the weather will be favourable tomorrow.”

Prakash added that two key players - midfielder Mohd Azrul Hasbullah and forward C. Ahrujunan - would remain out of the team for the matches this weekend.

“Azrul is down with a knee injury while Ahrujunan has a hairline fracture on his left index finger,” he said.
“Both players have been out since league started and they are only expected to resume training next week.”
Prakash said that their toughest match this weekend would be against defending league champions Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS)-Thunderbolt on Saturday.

“We lost to them (1-2) last year. And the challenge will be on us to get the better of them,” he said.

BJSS Look To Maintain Winning Run

BUKIT Jalil Sports School (BJSS) are aiming to continue their good form in Division One of the MHF-NSC-Milo Junior Hockey League when they face their junior team at the Ministry of Education pitch today.

The in-form side have started on a promising note in the league by earning maximum points through victories over Petaling Jaya City Council (2-1) and Ipoh Juniors (2-0).

In fact, BJSS are expected to steamroll today's opponents, who have neither earned a point nor scored a goal in the competition.

BJSS, who are mostly represented by national junior players, are determined to regain their supremacy after failing to make an impact last year.
They have bagged 12 titles since 2003 but they finished third in Division One behind champions Bandar Penawar Sports School and runners-up Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) last year.


TODAY -- Division One: BJSS Juniors v BJSS (Ministry of Education Stadium, 4.30pm);

TOMORROW -- Division One: Petaling Jaya CC v UniKL (Tun Razak Stadium, 4.30pm), Ipoh Juniors v Kelantan (Azlan Shah Stadium, 4.30pm).

Division Two (Group A): Datuk Taha v Politeknik KPT (Tampin Pitch, 4.30pm).

BJSS Labour Through

BUKIT Jalil Sports School (BJSS) were far from impressive but still beat Ipoh Juniors 2-0 in a MHF-NSC-Milo Junior Hockey League Division One match at the Ministry of Education Stadium yesterday.
The match was scrappy, and Ipoh were equally guilty for not utilising their midfield, relying heavily on overhead balls.

"Not good, but still better than our opening match against Petaling Jaya (City Council which BJSS won 2-1) as my boys kept up the pace even though the match was played in scorching heat," said BJSS coach S. Prakash.

Ipoh Juniors’ Muhammad Firdaus Sidik (right) and BJSS’ Mohd Khairul Naim Johari clash for the ball in their match at the Ministry of Education Stadium yesterday. BJSS won 2-0. — Picture by Fariz Iswadi Ismail.

Prakash felt that playing at 4.30pm is a bad idea and will make a request to the Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) to play at a later time.

"The weather was fine last week but just when the JHL started it turned hot in the evenings, so playing at 4.30pm is not a good idea.

"I will make a request to MHF and hopefully, they will amend the fixtures," said Prakash.
Almost all JHL matches have been slated to start at 4.30pm because the lighting system at some of the stadiums are not up to mark.

The BJSS goals were scored by Ahmed Iqwan (fifth) and Haziq Samsul (49th).

In another Division One match, Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS) hammered Petaling Jaya CC 5-1 at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru.

The BPSS goals were scored by hat-trick hero Firhan Ashaari (21st, 40th, 51st), Shahrusahadan Basri (12th) and Shahril Saabah (50th).

The PJCC scorer was Fata Mutalib (25th).

In a another Division One match at the Terengganu pitch, Kelantan held Anderson 3-3.

Kelantan scored through Cik Rosmadi Rasol (sixth), Hanif Ropi (37th) and Faiz Haiqal (50th), while the Anderson scorers were Ashran Hamsani (eighth), Husaini Husin (13th) and Ashran Hamsani (64th).

RESULTS -- Division One: BPSS 5 Petaling Jaya CC 1, BJSS 2 Ipoh Juniors 0, UniKL 6 BJSS Juniors 0, Kelantan 3 Anderson 3, Pahang 1 BPSS Juniors 3.

Division Two -- Group A: Matri 0 Datuk Taha 1; Group B: Olak-PKT 1 Perlis 1.


Read more: BJSS labour through http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/iiprk_r-2/Article#ixzz1HrKJwrbq

BPSS Score Another Big Win As BJSS Slog To Beat Heat & Opponents

KUALA LUMPUR: Defending league champions Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS)-Thunderbolt and their rival counterparts in Bukit Jalil (BJSS) secured their second win in Division One of the Malaysia Junior Hockey League (MJHL) in contrasting fashion to head the standing after the first week of action.

BPSS-Thunderbolt walked off easy 5-1 winners over Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Baru.

BJSS, on the other hand, had to overcome humid conditions at the Education Ministry Turf in Jalan Pantai here to beat Ipoh City Council 2-0.

 Clash: Ipoh City Council’s Mohd Faris Abdullah (right) colliding with BJSS’ Faridzul Afiq Mohamad during their Junior Hockey League match at Pantai Stadium yesterday. — By S.S.KANESAN/ The Star

And BPSS Juniors also kept up the good run of the national school teams with a 3-1 win over MSS Pahang at the Kuantan Hockey Stadium.

It was BPSS-Thunderbolt’s second big win after a 4-0 victory over BJSS Juniors.

Mohamed Firhan Ashaari, who was recently called up to the senior national team, scored a hat-trick – in the 21st, 40th and 51st minutes of the match.

The other scorers for BPSS-Thunderbolt were Shahrusahadan Basri (12th) and Mohamed Shahril Saabah (50th).
Ibnu Fata Illah scored the goal for MBPJ in the 25th minute. It was the second defeat for the PJ side, who lost 1-2 to BJSS on Friday.

A goal in each half earned BJSS full point against Ipoh City Council in a match that began at 4.30pm and played under sweltering heat.

Ahmad Iqwan Shah capitalised on a defensive error to score from close range in the fifth minute and Mohamed Haziq Shamsul added the second goal in the 49th minute.

“I think we need to change the way we played if the conditions remain the same next weekend,” said BJSS coach S. Prakash.

“It was really very hot out there and the players were greatly affected. We just cannot play a fast and open game under such conditions. Against a much fitter side, we may pay the price.

“It is good to have come off with the points today and we must look at the coming matches and plan accordingly.”

BPSS Juniors again returned from a fruitful trip, chalking up their second successive win in as many days.
They had beaten MSS Kelantan 4-1 on Saturday in Kuala Terengganu and they downed MSS Pahang at the Kuantan Hockey Stadium yesterday with goals by Luqman Nul Hakim (8th), Zulaniq Adib (10th) and Mohamed Afzanizam Zakaria (58th).

The scorer for the Pahang side was Mohamed Faried Satar in the 42nd minute.

HOCKEY: BOLLYWOOD ACT FOR UniKL

FAVOURITES UniKL acted to a Bollywood movie script when they took a punch before beating a gritty Ipoh Juniors 3-2 in the curtain raiser of the MHF-NSC-Milo Junior Hockey League at the Azlan Shah Stadium yesterday.

PJCC’s Ibnu Fatta Illah (in black) goes past three BJSS defenders in their Division 1 match at the Ministry of Education pitch yesterday. — Picture by Osman Adnan

Virtually parading their Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) side, UniKL were shocked in the ninth minute when Rasyid Hazar scored off a penalty corner attempt..

However, the early setback was overcame with efforts from Zulhairi Hashim (19th, 31st) and Nor Aqmal Ghaffer (43rd). The other Ipoh goal was scored by Azrul Fazrin in the 62nd minute.

"We expected Ipoh to defend in the early stages, but they shocked my players by playing an attacking game and scoring the first goal instead.
"I salute their grit, and the match turned difficult after that as my players struggled to settle down, but the end result was in favour of us," said UniKL manager Amir Azhar.

Bukit Jalil Sports School, whose players also just completed the MHL fixtures, were a disappointing lot when they let in a goal, before edging Petaling Jaya City Council 2-1 at the Ministry of Education pitch.

PJCC took the lead through Syamil Zulkifli off a ninth minute penalty corner, but BJSS sealed the three points with goals from Faridzul Afiq (12th) and Haziq Samsul (20th).

"I am shocked with the level of play today (yesterday) as we missed many sitters and were on the receiving end for no reason.

"We had practised many set-pieces but my players just failed to execute them, so instead of winning comfortably, we started our campaign on a shaky note," said BJSS coach S. Prakash whose players will meet Ipoh Juniors tomorrow.

In Division Two, Old La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak-PKT) also took the lead via Hakim Azarha's field attempt in the 27th minute, but shared points on a 1-1 score when Luqman Hakim scored for Padang Midin in the 43rd minute.


Read more: Hockey: Bollywood act for UniKL http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/46hookee/Article/index_html#ixzz1HrNnSfPj

BANDAR PENAWAR, UniKL GRAB FULL POINTS IN OPENING MATCH

KUALA LUMPUR: Defending league champions Bandar Penawar SS-Thunderbolt began their Division One campaign in the Malaysia Junior Hockey League (MJHL) with a 4-0 win over Bukit Jalil SS Junior at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru yesterday.

Mohamed Fitri Saari opened the scoring in the 24th minute through a field attempt while Shahzril Irwan Nazli followed it up with another field goal in the 30th minute to give them a 2-0 first half lead.

In the second half Mohamed Shahril Saabah and Mohamed Dzahiruddin made sure of full points with goals in the 50th and 59th minutes respectively.

Last year’s overall champions Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) overcame a one-goal deficit to defeat Ipoh City Council Juniors 3-2 at the Sultan Azlan Shah to get off to a winning start as well.

Shortlived joy: MBPJ’s Ibnu Fata Illah scoring against BJSS during their MJHL match in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. BJSS however won the match 2-1. — By RICKY LAI / The Star


Ipoh CC took the lead in the ninth minute when Mohamed Rasyid Hazer scored from a penalty corner.

But 10 minutes later UniKL’s Mohamed Zulhairi Hashim netted from a penalty corner to draw level.

Zulhairi then added his scored goal in the 31st minute to give UniKL the lead with another penalty corner.

Mohamed Nor Akmal scored the third goal in the 43rd minute but that only served to see the Ipoh side staging a fightback.

Ipoh CC reduced the deficit in the 61st minute through Mohamed Azrul Fazrin from a field attempt but the champions held on to take full points.

Former double champions Bukit jalil Sports School (BJSS) were lucky to have got off to a winning start against Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) at the Education Ministry Turf here. They won 2-1.

It was the early goals that decided the match as both teams wilted under the hot conditions as the match that was played at 4.30pm.

MBPJ took the lead in the ninth minute with Ibnu Fata Illah scoring from a field attempt.

Three minutes later BJSS drew level with a Faridzul Mohamed goal. Then in the 20th minute Mohamed Haziq Shamsul scored the winning goal from another field attempt to seal the three points.

BJSS coach S. Prakash said after the match that they were slow off the blocks and failed to settle down properly.

“It is always the same with my team as they are slow starters. They did not perform to their true potential and in the second half the players were affected by the afternoon heat,” he said.

But Prakash pointed out that his players should have won comfortably as they have a good set of players.

“But it was important to get full points from the match. The players will need to buck up and yesterday there was too much of individual play as the players tried to do things on their own.

“Still we hope the good start will see them trying harder in the next match to take full points as well,” said Prakash.

Hockey: BJSS Bounce Back

By Jugjet Singh
jugjet@nst.com.my

BUKIT Jalil Sports School (BJSS) made a remarkable recovery to whip Bandar Penawar Sports School 4-1 in Division One of the Malaysia Hockey League yesterday.

Both the sports schools had played on Friday when BJSS were beaten 2-0 by BPSS in Kuala Lumpur but the return match in Bandar Penawar yesterday was the exact opposite.

And with league leaders Armed Forces Juniors dropping two points against Ipoh City Hall in a 0-0 encounter, BJSS and BPSS have better chances of playing catch-up in the return leg matches.

Faridzul Afiq scored in the first minute to rattle BPSS yesterday before Dangerous Lee made it 2-0 with a 28th minute penalty corner attempt.

Shahril Saabah injected some hope into BPSS' game when he narrowed the gap with a 32nd minute field goal, but Dangerous made it 3-1 in the 37th minute before Farid Zuki scored in the 59th minute to give BJSS a comfortable win.

BJSS coach S. Prakash, who had benched five of his players for disciplinary reasons, attributed the win to mental strength.
"The suspended players were fielded on Friday but we still lost 2-0 to BJSS because my players gave them too much respect," said Prakash.

"I have been motivating the boys since, and today (yesterday) they played to their true potential. Their mental strength won them the match," said BPSS coach Wan Roslan Rahman who was amazed with his rivals' transformation.

RESULTS -- Division One: Armed Forces Juniors 0 Ipoh CH 0, Bandar Penawar Sports 1 Bukit Jalil Sports School 4, Malacca CC 2 UniTen 1.

FIXTURES -- Premier Division -- Friday (All Matches at the Kuantan Stadium): Tenaga Nasional v Sapura (3.30pm), Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club v UniKL (5.51pm), Yayasan Negri Sembilan v Nur Insafi (7pm), Armed Forces-Airod v UiTM (8.45pm).

Saturday: Maybank v UniKL (3pm), Tenaga Nasional v Nur Insafi (4.45pm), Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club v UiTM (6.30pm), Yayasan Negri Sembilan v Armed Forces-Airod (8.15pm).

Division One -- Sunday: Ipoh City Council v Bukit Jalil Sports School (Azlan Shah Stadium, 5pm), Bandar Penawar Sports School v Malacca CC (Bandar Penawar, 5pm), Armed Forces Juniors v Universiti Sains Malaysia (Tun Razak Stadium, 5pm).