Another Tough Match Awaits BJSS

KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) are going through their worst-ever start to their season in the MHC-Milo-NSC Junior Hockey League.

The former double champions were beaten in both their opening matches last week, losing by identical 1-0 margins to defending champions Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI)-Thunderbolt and Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).

And it is not going to be any easier for BJSS in the next game as they face Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL), last year’s league runners-up, in a Division One match tomorrow.

“We used to dominate the league, but today we are struggling to win matches. Two defeats in the first two matches are a bad start for us,” said BJSS coach S. Prakash, who guided BJSS to 12 titles.

BJSS were the double champions in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009. They were also league champions in 2003 and 2006.

Prakash said that they would face another tough encounter against UniKL, who beat SSTMI-Juniors 6-2 in their opening match.

“We cannot afford another defeat. To make matter worse, we will not have the services of injured forward Mohd Khairul,” he said.

Ahmad Alif Saves Thunderbolt The Blushes In Win Over BJSS

Lucky champions: BJSS’ Abdul Khaliq Hamirin (right) moving away from Thunderbolt’s Muhamad Firdaus Omar in their MJHL match at the Education Ministry Turf in Lembah Pantai yesterday. — GLENN GUAN/THE STAR

KUALA LUMPUR: Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI)-Thunderbolt played more like chumps than champions as they huffed and puffed their way to a lucky 1-0 win over Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) in the MHC-Milo-NSC Junior Hockey League (MJHL) Division One match at the Education Ministry Turf in Lembah Pantai.

With three Project 2013 squad players in their ranks – goalkeeper Mohd Ridzwan Azmi, midfielder Najmi Faizal Jazlan and forward Mohd Shahril Saabah – double champions Thunderbolt could only find the net once, through Ahmad Alif Nazaruddin Ahmad Nadhri’s 16th-minute field goal yesterday.

Thunderbolt showed no urgency in their game and earned only two penalty corners in the whole match. BJSS, parading a young team with an average of 16, were clearly the better team and were unlucky to lose the match.

Shahril, the top scorer in the league last year with 20 goals, was almost non-existent in the match. Even Thunderbolt coach Wan Roslan Wan Abdul Rahman was disappointed with his players’ performance.

“It was the worst game we’ve played in the league. My boys lost possession easily and made a series of blunders in defence,” he said.

“We can consider ourselves lucky to escape with a win as BJSS had some good chances to score as well.

“I’m also annoyed with my captain, Shahril. As an experienced forward, he had no attempts on goal. If we keep playing like this, we don’t stand a chance of retaining both our titles. I hope they’ll buck up for the next match against Malacca High School tomorrow (today).”

Thunderbolt, who hammered their juniors 6-0 on Thursday, now top the standings with two straight wins.

BJSS coach S. Prakash claimed that his players “have a mental block when it comes to playing against Thunderbolt”.

“My players have too much respect for them. We had our chances but didn’t make them count. Although ours is a young team, we should have done better against them,” said Prakash.

In another match, former champions Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) fought back from two goals down to edge SSTMI Juniors 3-2 at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

Mohd Haizzat Noor Azmi gave SSTMI Juniors the lead in the 10th minute before Raja Mohd Izzat Raja Hussin doubled the score 10 minutes later.

But MBPJ, who won the overall title in 2006, reduced the deficit in the 33rd minute through Mohd Shahiram Zali’s penalty corner attempt.

MBPJ stepped up a gear after the break and levelled the score through Mohd Farid Mohd Zuki in the 57th minute before Shahiram got the winner when he converted a penalty stroke in the dying minutes.

Khairul Vows To Keep His Temper In Check

KUALA LUMPUR: Penang hockey defender Mohd Khairul Naim Johari has a history of violent behaviour which has cost him dear.

As a fifth former at Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) in 2010, Khairul struck a fellow student and was lucky to escape with just a warning.

However, he was dropped from the Project 2013 squad the same year for indiscipline.

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But he could not keep his fiery temper in check and hit another fellow student last year. This time, he paid a heavy price as he was expelled from the BJSS pre-university course he was doing.

Khairul almost gave up hope and hockey, but he was given a lifeline by Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) team manager Amir Azhar Ibrahim, who invited him to play for them in the Malaysian Junior Hockey League (MJHL) this year.

The 19-year-old Khairul has been a changed person since joining UniKL.

He is not only marshalling the defence well and keeping a lid on his temper, but has also been named assistant skipper of the team.

Khairul said that being expelled from the BJSS pre-university course was the most depressing moment of his life.

“I’m ashamed of my past as I had a history of beating up players. Because of my bad temper I lost my chance to get into a local university,” said Khairul.

“I almost gave up hope ... but it all changed when I was given a second chance by UniKL team manager Amir.

“I’d like to thank Amir for having faith in me. I have promised myself not to lose my temper and hit anyone again.”

Khairul now wants to repay UniKL’s belief in him by helping the university team reach the final.

Division One runners-up UniKL face BJSS in the semi-final first leg at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil today while the return leg is on Friday.

UniKL qualified for the last four by hammering MSSPP-USM 9-2 on aggregate.

The university team have a psychological advantage as they edged BJSS 3-2 in the league.

Khairul said they would face a strong challenge from BJSS who gave them a real good fight in their earlier clash.

“We failed to retain the Division One title, losing out to SSTMI (Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School)-Thunderbolt on goal difference. But I’m confident that we can rise to occasion and get the better of BJSS to qualify for the final,” said Khairul.

SSTMI-Thunderbolt face MBI-Anderson in the other semi-final.

Thunderbolt of Johor Baru will start as favourites against the Ipoh team having trounced them 6-0 in the league.

The final will be played at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh on Sunday.

Skipper Ahmad To Miss BJSS’ Semi-final Match Against UniKL

KUALA LUMPUR: Five-time double champions Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) will not have their skipper Ahmad Ashraf Alias for the Milo Cup semi-final first-leg against Uni­versiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil tomorrow.

Defender Ahmad has to serve a one-match suspension after collecting his second yellow card in the quarter-final second-leg against Malacca High School at the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Stadium on Sunday.

The 17-year-old Ahmad was flashed the card by umpire Jaswant Singh for deliberately stopping the ball with his foot in the 47th minute.

Ahmad said he regretted his silly action, which will see him miss the important match against a strong UniKL side who finished runners-up in Division One.

“We lost to UniKL (3-2) in the league and my absence will further weaken our defence,” said Ahmad.

“It will also affect our penalty corner battery as I am the main stopper of the team. As captain of the team, I should have set a good example to my team-mates. I apologise to them for getting the card,” said Ahmad, who has been playing for BJSS Juniors since 2006.

BJSS, who finished third in Division One, qualified for the semi-finals when they trounced Malacca High School 9-2 on aggregate in the quarter-finals.

UniKL, who bagged the overall title in 2010, also reached the semis by a 9-2 aggregate against MSSPP-USM.


 Ahmad, a Form Five student, was promoted to the BJSS senior team this season. He is now hoping his team-mates can still put up a good show in a absence.

“Although I won’t be playing, I will be cheering for my team-mates on Wednesday,” said Ahmad.

BJSS team manager Jusvinder Pal Singh (pic) said they have other reliable players to replace Ahmad.

“We expect it to be closely fought match. We need to win the first-leg to put the pressure on them for the return,” said Jusvinder Pal.

Division One champions Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI)-Thunderbolt will face MBI-Anderson, who finished fourth in Division One, in the other semi-final first-leg match tomorrow.

Ipoh Side Joins Thunderbolt, BJSS, UniKL In The Milo Cup Semi-finals

KUALA LUMPUR: MBI-Anderson scored two late goals to defeat debutants Sapura 2-0 to qualify for the Milo Cup semi-finals on a 3-1 aggregate at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

The Ipoh team, who finished fourth in Division One, will take on Division One champions Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI)-Thunderbolt in the first-leg semi-finals in Bukit Jalil on Wednesday. They play the return leg on Friday.

Meanwhile, reigning overall champions SSTMI-Thunderbolt, beat former champions Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) 4-0 at the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Stadium to qualify for last four on a 11-1 aggregate.

The MBI-Anderson and Sapura match was keenly contested as the first leg had ended 1-1. However, it was the Ipoh team who came alive in the last 16 minutes to score two goals.

Having a go: BJSS’ Mohammad Noor Khairul Azri Adnan (left) and Malacca High School’s Muhammad Aidil Azmi going for the ball during their match at the Kuala Lumpur Stadium yesterday.

Mohd Ashran Hamsani scored the first goal from a field attempt in the 54th minute before Mohd Najib Abu Hassan seal the match with the second goal in the 63rd minute.

With the defeat, Sapura’s hopes of becoming the first Division Two team to reach the semi-finals went up in smoke.

Former five time double champions Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) also qualified for the semi-finals when they defeated Division Two runners-up Malacca High School 3-1 at the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Stadium.

BJSS, who went through on a 9-2 aggregate, face Division One runners-up Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) in the first-leg of the semi-finals at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Wednesday.

BJSS, who won the first-leg 6-1 on Friday, took the lead through Mohd Noor Khairul Azri in the fifth minute before Mohd Zulamirul Akmal Mohd Ali equalised for the Malacca school in the 23rd minute.

BJSS stormed back to score goals through Mohd Redzhwan Jaafar in 31st minute and Mohd Fitri Ismail in the 68th minute.

BJSS team manager Jusvinder Pal Singh said the semi-finals against UniKL would be a touch and go encounter.

“We lost 2-3 to them in the league match but I hope my players will be able to rise to the occasion to get the better of them in the first-leg on Wednesday,” said Jusvinder.UniKL meanwhile, came back from a goal down to beat MSSPP-USM 3-1 at Bukit Jalil to qualify for the semi-finals on a 9-2 aggregate.

USM scored in the 42nd minute through Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Aziz from a penalty stroke.

UniKL equalised in the 58th minute off a field goal from Mohd Syafiq Zulzairin and Mohd Hafiz Zainol scored two late goals in the 65th and 69th minutes to seal the win.

UNIKL Versus BJSS Jr

  UNIKL  11 : BJSS Jr 1

Cool finish: UniKL’s Muhd Syafiq Zulzairin slotting the ball past BJSS Juniors goalkeeper Aliff Aiman Kamarulzaman during their match at KLHA Stadium on Friday. UniKL won 11-1.

SSTMI Jr Versus BJSS

SSTMI Jr. 0 : BJSS 8

Out of my way: SSTMI Juniors’ Fahmi Zulhelmi (RIGHT) using his stick to block BJSS’ Mohammad Shahiram Zali during their Junior Hockey League match at the Education Ministry Turf yesterday. BJSS won 8-0. – M. AZHAR ARIF / The Star

Lokman Promoted To Handle BJSS U-19 Squad

KUALA LUMPUR: Coach Lokman Yahaya’s good work with the Bukit Jalil Sports School’s (BJSS) Under-16 team has not gone unnoticed.

He has been promoted to handle the school’s Under-19 team, who have won the double five times, in the Malaysian Junior Hockey League (MJHL), which begins on Jan 19.

The former Setapak High School teacher certainly deserves the promotion after guiding the Under-16 BJSS side to a creditable third overall placing last year while the Under-19 team, under coach S. Prakash, were knocked out in the quarter-finals.

Lokman, who has been in charge of the Under-16 team for two years, also guided them to a fourth placing in Division One last season – making it the team’s best-ever performance in the MJHL since making their debut a decade ago.

The Under-19 team went one better, finishing third in Division One.

While Lokman will be in charge of the Under-19 team, Prakash will handle the Under-16 side.

Lokman said it was an honour to swap roles with Prakash, who was responsible for guiding the BJSS Under-19 team to the double five times – in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Lokman said that the BJSS Under-19 team used to be a dominant force in the MJHL.

“And I intend to restore their fortunes in the next few years,” he said.

“For this year, I am looking at finishing one better than last season because I only have five players from last year’s squad still eligible to play for the team.

“They are Mohd Hazrul Faiz Ahmad Sobri, Mohd Fitri Ismail, Mohd Redzhwan Jaafar, Mohd Shahiram Zali and Mohd Azrul Hasbullah.

“We finished third in the league last year. So, this season, I am eyeing the runner-up spot.

“But we face a strong challenge from two clubs – defending league champions UniKL (Universiti Kuala Lumpur) and overall champions SSTMI (Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School)-Thunderbolt – to finish in the top two in Division One.”

Lokman said that 15 players who featured in the Under-16 team last year had been roped into the Under-19 side.

“We have a team with an average age of 17 and we hope to make an impact in the league in two years’ time,” he said.

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.

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.

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.

New Class Of Talent

KUALA LUMPUR: It did not come as a surprise when Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) won the double in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) Under-19 category on Sunday.

That they managed to do it with players who are below the age of 17 demonstrate the efficiency of their development programmes as they have dominated the junior scene since winning the junior league title in 2003.

They have won the league title six times and the overall title five times.

Bright future: Bandar Penawar's Mohd Noor Faeez Ibrahim (left) is among the new talent who came through the U-19 competition.

This year they had greater opposition in terms of numbers. Usually it is Tenaga Nasional that push them in the title run-ups but this year teams like Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS), Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Anderson and MSN Malacca offered tough matches.

BPSS would be the team to watch in future. They were unbeaten and only lost out in the overall final on penalties to BJSS.

Their coach Wan Mohamed Roslan said that the experience gained this year will push them to work harder next year.

“We came close on both fronts this year. Only BJSS were better than us. Even then we had beaten them 4-0 in the preliminary rounds. We are disappointed at not winning at least one title this year.

“The way I see it the difference was the experience BJSS had in playing at this stage. This is the first final for us but it should see a start of better things to come,” he added.

Overall there are many talented players coming through the ranks, like BPSS striker Mohd Noor Faeez Ibrahim, the best player and top scorer of the tournament.

It is good that members of the National Juniors did not play as this allowed the others to shine. Many teams used players under the age of 16 and this augurs well for the future.

But the biggest lesson that the other contenders can learn from the sports schools is that they need a longer and more sustained development programme to make an impact. Short term training may yield limited results, hence the inconsistency of teams like Anderson, Tenaga, MBPJ and MSN Malacca.

The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF), on their part, should review their stand to merge the junior league with the senior edition.

It does not make sense to scrap the Malaysia Junior Hockey league when the current Division Two and Three are basically that in another name.

“The glamour of being the MJHL champions is taken away. Nobody bothers about Division Two league winners. I seriously believe that the MJHL should be reinstated,” said BJSS coach S. Prakash.

BJSS Clinch The Overall Title Of The Malaysia Hockey League

KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) completed their fifth double when they beat Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS) 5-4 in sudden-death penalty shoot-out to clinch the overall title of the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) Under-19 category at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

The teams were tied at 3-3 in regulation time and extra-time failed to break the deadlock.

On a high: Bukit Jalil Sports School players celebrate with the trophies and mock cheques after beating Bandar Penawar Sports School 5-4 on penalties to win the overall title yesterday. — KEVIN TAN / The Star

BPSS went ahead through Amir Farid in the sixth minute but Faridzul Afiq equalised seven minutes later.

In the 27th minute, Mohd Noor Faeez Ibrahim put BPSS in front again only for Mohd Khairul Naim to level the scores in the 43rd minute.

On a high: Bukit Jalil Sports School players celebrate with the trophies and mock cheques after beating Bandar Penawar Sports School 5-4 on penalties to win the overall title yesterday. — KEVIN TAN / The Star

BJSS’ top gun Dangerous Lee then made it 3-2 in the 62nd minute but Mohd Noor Faeez came to BPSS’ rescue in the 67th minute to force the game into extra-time.

In the shoot-out, the first five mandatory penalty strokes ended 4-4 when Mohd Azri Hassan missed for BJSS and Mohd Hilmi Hafidz for BPSS.

Dangerous, Shazril Irwan, Mohd Fahmi Faiz and Mohd Arif scored for BJSS while Mohd Noor Faeez, Mohd Zahirul, Mohd Firhan Ashari and Mohd Fitri Saari netted for BPSS.

In the sudden-death shoot-out, Dangerous made no mistake with his low flick for BJSS. The pressure was now on tournament top scorer Mohd Noor Faeez and he buckled, sending his flick wide to spark off wild scenes of celebration among the BJSS players and officials.

BJSS coach S. Prakash praised his players for having the presence of mind to stay cool when they trailed their opponents twice.

“The first-half was scrappy for us and we could not play our normal game.

“We have come back from a goal down before and I was confident that we could do it again,” he said.

“The players did it and we even had the lead with just three minutes to go. I am not sure why we gave away a penalty corner but it proved fatal. Still, we are happy to have got it right in the shoot-out.”

This was BJSS’ 12th title at the junior level, having also won the double in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008. BJSS also won the League titles in 2003 and 2006.

The double make them the most dominant junior team in the country.

For BPSS, this was their first-ever final for the overall title. Earlier, they had also finished run­­ners-up to BJSS in the Division Two of the League.

In third placed play-off, last year’s finalists Tenaga Nasional whipped Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) 4-0 at the same venue.