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.