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.