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.

HOCKEY: BJSS Take The Bronze

BUKIT Jalil Sports School (BJSS) salvaged some pride when they beat MBI Anderson 3-1 in a six-minute goal blitz at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh yesterday.

Incidentally, BJSS also beat the Ipoh side with the same score in their League encounter in Division One.

However, the premier sports school in the country were shocked in the 37th minute when Akmal Tajuddin scored off a reverse stick effort to give Anderson the lead.

But they kept their composure, and scored three goals in six minutes when Shahiram Zali equalised in the 54th with a field goal, and three minutes later took the lead off a penalty corner attempt from Nik Aiman Nik Rozemi before Zizi Azwan scored from top of the semi-circle in the 60th to hand his school the bronze medal.

BJSS collected RM12,000 for finishing third while MBI-Anderson received RM10,000.

The match was played on the recently laid blue artificial pitch which will also be the colour of the London Olympics pitch. Also, a yellow ball will be used for the first time in the Olympics.

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HOCKEY: Third Tinal For Same Two Teams

UNIKL Young Guns will square off against SSTMI Thunderbolts for the third straight season to decide who lift the Milo Cup at the Azlan Shah Stadium tomorrow.

Thunderbolts’ Muhammad Firhan Ashaari (in red) goes through the MBI Anderson defence in their Milo Cup semi-final clash at the Bukit Jalil Stadium yesterday. Thunderbolts won 10-1. Pic by Nashairi Mohd Nawi

Yesterday, UniKL Young Guns were held to a 2-2 draw by Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) but booked their final ticket on a 5-3 aggregate.

However, BJSS have only themselves to blame, as they led 2-0 but caved in, in the final 15 minutes.

Division One champions Thunderbolts were the more aggressive side yesterday as they demolished MBI Anderson 10-1, for a 15-3 aggregate win.

On his team's chances in the final, UniKL manager Amir Azhar said: "If we play like we did today (yesterday) against Thunderbolts, we will be slaughtered at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh."

The UniKL-BJSS play was centred around the midfield until the 22nd minute penalty corner which was tucked in by Azrul Hasbullah to put BJSS ahead.

BJSS almost drew level in the 25th minute when Zizi Azwan was presented with a golden opportunity with only the goalkeeper to beat but he pushed the ball straight into Fitri Jasni.

And BJSS were again rewarded in the 46th minute when Hafif Elkan scored, also off a penalty corner.

However, that attempt at goal woke up UniKL and strikes from N. Kaatigan (53rd) and Nor Azrul Rahman (58th) were enough to take them into the final, as they had beaten BJSS 3-1 in the first leg.


As for Thunderbolts, their goals were scored by Shahril Saabah who got his hat-trick in the 40th, 43rd and 54th minutes to take his tally to 18.

The other goals were scored by Firhan Ashaari (25th, 64th and 65th), Hafiz Seleman (2nd, 37th), Sufi Ismat (19th) and Ahmad Alif Nazaruddin (57th).

Akmal Mohd Tajuddin (51st) scored the consolation goal for the Ipoh team.

RESULTS -- Semi-finals, return leg:

UniKL 2 Bukit Jalil SS 2 (UniKL win 5-3 on aggregate)

MBI Anderson 1 SSTMI Thunderbolts 10 (Thunderbolts win 15-3 on aggregate).

TOMORROW -- Final: UniKL v SSTMI Thunderbolts (6pm); Third-Fourth: Bukit Jalil Sports School v MBI Anderson (4pm).

(Both matches at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Bukit Jalil).
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HOCKEY: Scare For Big Guns

SSTMI Thunderbolts virtually qualified for the final of the Junior Hockey League Milo Cup when they hit MBI Anderson of Ipoh 5-2 in their semi-final first leg at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

BJSS’ Azrul Hasbullah (right) celebrates his teammates after scoring against UniKL in the first leg of the Milo Cup semi-finals at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

UniKL Young Guns also came back from the dead to win 3-1 against Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS), to keep themselves on track for a final appearance.

However, both the semi-finals had looked like they were heading for upsets, when Anderson took a 2-1 lead against Thunderbolts, while BJSS also drew first blood against UniKL.
Thunderbolts, who whitewashed Andersons 6-0 in the League, took matters for granted after Khairol Shafik scored in the 12th minute.

Anderson then shocked the favourites when skipper Najib Hassan scored off a penalty corner set-piece.

Azril Misron then made it 2-1 in the 22nd minute but Sufi Ismat equalised in the 24th and the score remained until the breather.

However, Thunderbolts showed why they were the league champions when they hit three goals within 10 minutes through Sufi (38th, 45th) and skipper Shazril Irwan Nazli (40th).

BJSS shocked UniKL when Azrul Hasbullah scored against the run of play in the 13th minute in pouring rain. But the joy was shortlived as UniKL's Haziq Samsul equalised in the 34th.

After the breather, UniKL retook the lead off Hafiz Zainol in the 40th and Syafiq Zulzairin then gave them some breathing space for the return leg with his 65th minute effort.

"There was a total lack of understanding between the midfield and forward line, and when BJSS scored it rattled my players further," said Thunderbolts coach Wan Roslan.

RESULTS -- S-finals, 1st leg: SSTMI-Thunderbolts 5 MBI Anderson 2, Bukit Jalil SS 1 UniKL 3.

TOMORROW -- Return leg: UniKL v Bukit Jalil SS (5pm), MBI Anderson v SSTMI Thunderbolts (7.30pm). -- Pitch II, National Hockey Stadium.

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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.

HOCKEY: BJSS Captain Apologises For Rash Action

BUKIT Jalil Sports School (BJSS) have been improving with every match, but their skipper shot himself in the foot on Sunday, and they will now find their Milo Cup first leg semi-final against UniKL a harrowing experience tomorrow.

They will be playing without their skipper Ahmad Ashraf Alias, who picked up a yellow card in the second leg quarter-finals for deliberately stopping the ball with his foot to break a Malacca High School (MHS) counter attack.

"As captain, I should not have done that, and I apologise to my teammates for not being able to help them in a crucial match" said Ahmad, who started playing with the BJSS Juniors outfit in 2006 and graduated to the senior ranks as skipper this season.

"We narrowly lost to UniKL (3-2) in the league and my absence will further weaken our defence. It will also affect our penalty corner battery as I am the main stopper," said said Ahmad

BJSS qualified for the semi-finals when they trounced MHS 9-2 on aggregate in the quarter-finals while UniKL, who won the overall title in 2010, also reached the semis by a 9-2 aggregate against USM Juniors.

BJSS team manager Jusvinder Pal Singh said they warned Ahmad before the match to stay away from cards, and regretted fielding him in the return leg as they already had a 6-1 advantage after the first encounter.

"It was a silly thing to do, as he should not have kicked the ball deliberately. However, we have capable replacements to cover Ahmad's absence," said Jusvinder.

Division One champions Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI)-Thunderbolts will face MBI Anderson in the other semi-final.

Tomorrow -- S-finals, 1st leg: SSTMI-Thunderbolts v MBI-Anderson (5pm), Bukit Jalil SS v UniKL (7pm) -- matches at the National Hockey Stadium. By Jugjet Singh

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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.

HOCKEY: Uphill Task For Anderson

MBI Anderson came back strongly in the second leg Milo Cup quarter-finals to beat Sapura 2-0 to set up a semi-final date with league champions SSTMI Thunderbolts.

Thunderbolts’ Khairol Shafik (left) and MBPJ’s Fitri Hidayat vie for the ball in their Milo Cup second leg quarter-final match yesterday. Pic by Adib Rawi

The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw but the Ipoh school team beat a fighting Sapura with goals from Ashran Hamsani in the 54th and Najib Hassan in the 63rd minute.

However, the semi-finals will be an uphill task for Anderson, as they lost 6-0 to Thunderbolts in the league.

Yesterday, Thunderbolts beat Petaling Jaya Municipal Council 4-0, to win 11-1 on aggregate.

Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) also qualified for the semi-finals after they beat Malacca High School (MHS) 3-1 in the return leg for a 9-2 aggregate win.

BJSS will meet UniKL in the two-leg semi-final on Wednesday and Friday.

UniKL also beat USM Juniors 3-1 in the return leg, for an 9-2 aggregate win.

Yesterday, BJSS took things easy, as they had a 6-1 cushion from the first leg, and scored off Noor Khairul Adnan in the fifth minute.

However, MHS equalised through Zulamirul Akmal in the 23rd minute before BJSS scored two more goals via Redzhwan Jaafar in the 23rd and Fitri Ismail in the 68th.

USM Juniors scored in the 42nd minute off Abdul Muhaimin Aziz who converted a penalty stroke but UniKL equalised when Syafiq Zulzairin scored in the 58th minute while Hafiz Zainol scored two late goals in the 65th and 69th minutes to seal the win.


"We already had a healthy lead after the first leg and there was no need to push the players today (yesterday). The semi-final (against UniKL) will be a touch-and-go match, as I believe both the teams have players capable of turning the tables when presented with opportunity," said BJSS manager Jusvinder Pal Singh.

RESULTS -- Q-finals, 2nd leg: Bukit Jalil Sports School 3 Malacca High School 1 (BJSS win on 9-2 aggragate); USM Juniors 1 UniKL Young Guns 3 (UniKL win on 9-2 aggregate); Petaling Jaya Municipal Council 0 SSTMI Thunderbolts 4 (Thunderbolts win on 11-1 aggregate); MBI Anderson 2 Sapura 0 (Anderson win on 3-1 aggregate).


WEDNESDAY FIXTURES (Feb 29) -- S-finals, 1st leg: SSTMI-Thunderbolts v Sapura/MBI-Anderson (5pm), Bukit Jalil SS vs UniKL (7pm).


March 2 -- S-finals, return leg: UniKL vs Bukit Jalil SS (5pm), Sapura/MBI Anderson v SSTMI Thunderbolts (7.30pm).

n (All semi-final matches at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil).
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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.

HOCKEY: Sapura-Anderson take centre stage

Spot in the semi-finals is at stake

UniKL players keep a close eye on USM Juniors’ Anwar Abdul Rahman in their quarter-final first leg on Friday. UniKL won 6-1.

WITH three foregone conclusions, the spotlight on the return leg of the Milo Cup Junior Hockey League quarter-finals will be on the Sapura and MBI Anderson match at the Kuala Lumpur HA Stadium today.

Sapura, highly expected to seal a comfortable win in the first leg after an impressive show in Division One, could only hold MBI Anderson to a 1-1 draw.

They were a pale shadow of the unbeaten team who lifted the Division Two title by scoring 42 goals and letting in only two in Group A.

In comparison, MBI Anderson struggled in Division One, finishing fourth after scoring 28 goals and letting in a massive 27.

League champions SSTMI Thunderbolts are cruising on the road to the semi-finals after they hammered Petaling Jaya Municipal Council 7-1, while UniKL Young Guns' run is also unstoppable after they beat USM Juniors 6-1.

Bukit Jalil Sports School have also firmly planted themselves in the semi-finals after a 6-1 show against Malacca High School.

"It was simply amazing how my players muffed four sitters to make the return leg an uphill battle. I can't even call the misses unlucky, because even novice players would have scored off those situations," lamented Sapura coach I. Vickneswaran.

Sapura's job is made tougher by the suspensions of Fadzli Zulkifli and Farid Zuki today.

"The situation does not look favourable, but I have plans on how to make amends, and hopefully, the players stick to the gameplan," said Vickneswaran.

Another unhappy official was UniKL Young Guns's manager Amir Azhar.

"The win (6-1) looked comfortable enough, but I am not satisfied with the way my team played in the first leg. They were floating in and out of the match, and all the departments were not at their best.

"We can't afford this kind of attitude if we want to lay our hands on the Milo Cup," said Amir.

UniKL will be missing the services of Haniff Saidin, while BJSS' Norshafiq Sumantri and PJCC's Faiz Haiqal will not see action in the return leg due to suspensions.



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HOCKEY: Anderson Hold Edge

Sapura waste chances in first leg

Malacca High School’s Ahmad Najmee Roslee (left) keeps the ball away from BJSS’ Muhammad Shahitam Zali at the National Hockey Stadium yesterday. BJSS won 6-1. Pic by Supian Ahmad

 DIVISION Two champions Sapura were shell shocked after they were held 1-1 by MBI Anderson in the Milo Cup quarter-finals at the Kuala Lumpur HA Stadium yesterday.

Anderson, who finished fourth in Division One, soaked up the pressure after coming back from a goal down, and are now aiming to seal a semi-final slot in the return leg tomorrow.

Sapura also lost Fadzli Zulkifli and Farid Zuki to suspension for the return leg.

Harmesh Singh gave Sapura the lead off a penalty corner attempt in the 17th minute, but Helmi Jaffar equalised for Anderson in the 38th, also off a penalty corner attempt.

"Sapura played a robust game to rattle my players, but they ended up losing concentration instead. My players can play better hockey than today (yesterday) and I believe they will be at their best in the return leg," said MBI Anderson coach Dalbir Singh.

Sapura coach I. Vickneswaran was disappointed that his team muffed four open chances.

"When you fail to score four open goals in a match, there is bound to be unnecessary pressure in the return leg. We will also play without two regulars, and that itself is going to make us the underdogs," said Vickneswaran.

League champions SSTMI Thunderbolts virtually qualified for the semi-finals when they hammered Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (PJCC) 7-1.

RESULTS -- Quarter-finals (first leg): SSTMI Thunderbolts 7 Petaling Jaya Municipal Council 1, Sapura 1 MBI-Anderson 1, Malacca High School 1 Bukit Jalil Sports School 6, UniKL Young Guns 6 USM Juniors 1.


TOMORROW -- Return leg: Bukit Jalil Sports School v Malacca High School (Bukit Jalil Pitch II, 4pm), USM Juniors v UniKL Young Guns (KLHA, 4pm), Petaling Jaya Municipal Council v SSTMI Thunderbolts (Bukit Jalil Pitch II, 6pm), MBI-Anderson v Sapura (KLHA, 6pm).

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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

HOCKEY: UniKL Teach BJSS A Lesson

UNIKL Young Guns mauled Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) Juniors 11-1 in a Milo-Junior Hockey League Division One match at the KLHA Stadium yesterday.
It was a humiliating defeat for the Sports School, whose seniors were once the most feared team in the JHL, but were held 2-2 by Tunku Besar Secondary School (TBSS) of Tampin at the Ministry of Education pitch yesterday.

The win not only gave UniKL the top spot, albeit for the next 24 hours as SSTMI-Thunderbolts will play their sixth match today, but also improved their goal difference to a five-goal cushion over the defending Overall champions Thunderbolts.

However, BJSS Juniors coach S. Prakash still sees a silver lining in his young side.

"I agree that in 2007, 08 and 09 when I coached BJSS to the JHL double, the players were all below 17 years old. But then, they were together for four years before we could make an impact.

"This current batch have only been together for one year, and let's give them more time to mature," said Prakash.

For the record, BJSS have seven League and six Overall titles under their belt in the JHL.

"I believe the five early goals rattled my side, but the good thing about this team, which is made up of 14 and 15-year-olds, is that they held on tightly in the opening 15 minutes of the second half.

"These are some of the good points which I hope to cultivate in the next few years.

"However, we are not a club and can't afford to pay RM1,800 per-month to our players so we keep losing the better ones to rich clubs when they turn 17. But all said and done, I am not making excuses now, as I see promise in these players in the next few years," said Prakash.

RESULTS -- Division One: UniKL Young Guns 11 BJSS Juniors 1, MBI-Anderson 6 SSTMI 2, BJSS 2 TBSS 2.


DIVISION TWO, Group A: Kelantan 0 Politeknik PKT 1, Sapura 3 Nur Insafi 1.


DIVISION TWO, Group B: Tunas Pahang 1 Malacca HS 2, Datuk Taha 1 KL Sports School 1.


TODAY: USM Juniors v MBPJ (USM, 4pm), MBI-Anderson v SSTMI Thunderbolts (Azlan Shah , 5pm), BJSS v SSTMI (Ministry of Education , 6pm).


DIVISION TWO, Group A: Kelantan v Kedah HA MSNK (Terengganu, 3.30pm), Kedah HA Juniors v Anderson Juniors (Alor Star, 4pm), Negri HA v Nur Insafi (Seremban II, 4pm).


DIVISION TWO, Group B: Yayasan Pahang v Malacca HS (Kuantan, 4pm), Batu Pahat v Datuk Taha (Malacca, 4pm), Padang Midin v KL Sports School (Terengganu, 5pm).


SUNDAY: Division One -- TBSS v SSTMI Thunderbolts (Seremban II, 4pm).


DIVISION TWO, Group A: Kedah HA MSNK v Sapura (Alor Star, 4pm),


DIVISION TWO, Group B: Batu Pahat v Tunas Pahang (Malacca, 4pm), Olak PKT v Padang Midin (Bukit Jalil, 5pm). By Jugjet Singh

Read more: HOCKEY: UniKL teach BJSS a lesson - Other - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/sports/other/hockey-unikl-teach-bjss-a-lesson-1.44978#ixzz1mEdogR7Z

HOCKEY: Pep-talk Does The Trick

10-man UniKL made to sweat


UniKL’s Mohd Hafify Mohd Rodzi (centre) tussles with BJSS’ Muhamad Fitri Ismail in their match yesterday. BJSS won 3-2. Pic by Yazit Razali

 TITLE aspirants UniKL Young Guns edged Bukit Jalil Sports School 3-2, but lost their skipper to a red card in Division One of the Milo-Junior Hockey League yesterday.

Playing at the Ministry of Education Stadium, UniKL were a pale shadow of themselves, and were lucky to walk away with a victory to keep their League title hopes alive.

UniKL walked onto the pitch like they were expecting an easy victory, but they were proven wrong by BJSS in the 27th minute when Fitri Ismail scored off their only penalty corner of the first half.

UniKL wasted seven penalty corners mostly due to bad stopping, and went into the dressing room with their heads low as they trailed by a goal for the first time this season.

However, the pep-talk in the dressing room changed their fortunes, as UniKL came back into the picture off their first penalty corner after the break in the 39th minute when Nor Aqmal Gaffar scored the equaliser off a direct attempt.

And the second goal followed in the 44th minute, when Haziq Samsul scored off a goalmouth melee after a botched penalty corner attempt.

BJSS however refused to give up, and levelled the score at 2-2 in the 50th minute when Wan Mohamed Hazrul slammed in the ball off their second penalty corner of the match.

There was more misery for UniKL as their skipper Taufik Hamid slammed the face of BJSS player Ashraf Alias with his stick, and was red carded by umpire Jasveer Singh in the 55th minute.

However, 10-man UniKL held on by sheer grit, and won the match with a 69th minute field strike from Haniff Saidin.

"It was not what we expected, but still, I'm proud of my players as they came back from a goal down to win this crucial match and keep our title holes alive," said UniKL team manager Amir Azhar.

And in the earlier match at the same venue, BJSS Juniors lost 1-0 to USM-MSSSPP.

The solitary goal was scored by Sazli Hussaini in the 30th minute and now it looks like BJSS Juniors are doomed to play in the lower division next year.

Sapura claimed their sixth successive win in Division Two Group A when they hammered Kedah HA Juniors 5-0 at the KLHA Stadium in Pantai.

Sapura took the lead in the 17th minute off Shahfirul Aqmal and in the 26th minute increased the lead through the efforts of Ahmad Iqwan.

In the second half goals from Ammar Adly (41st), Iqwan (45th) and Fadzli Zulkifli (51st) gave them a convincing win.

RESULTS -- Division One: BJSS Juniors 0 USM-MSSPP 1, MBPJ 2 SSTMI Juniors 1, BJSS 2 UniKL 3.


Division Two, Group A: Negri HA 0 Anderson Juniors 5, Sapura 5 Kedah HA Juniors 0, KHA-MSNK 3 MSSPP-USM Juniors 0, PHK-MSS Kelantan 2 Nur Insafi 1.


Division Two, Group B: Yayasan Pahang 1 Olak-PKT 1, Malacca High School 4 KL Sports School 0, Datuk Taha 1 Tunas Pahang 0.


TODAY: Division Two, A: MSS Kelantan v Negri HA (Seremban II, 4pm).

Read more: HOCKEY: Pep-talk does the trick - Other - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/sports/other/hockey-pep-talk-does-the-trick-1.42189#ixzz1mEi3dFZl

HOCKEY: Thunderbolts Hand MBPJ A Thrashing

OVERALL champions SSTMI Thunderbolts underlined their class when they hammered Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (MBPJ) 6-1 in Division One of the Milo-Junior Hockey League yesterday.

Ahmad Farhan Daniel (front) of BJSS Juniors gets away from Muhammad Asyraf Hadi of MBI Anderson in theri match yesterday. Anderson won 4-2. Pic by Syarafiq Abd Samad

Thunderbolts top the standings after notching their fourth straight win, and are followed closely by UniKL who have played one match less than the leaders.

Yesterday, Thunderbolts goals were scored by Sufi Ismat (third, 41st), Shahril Saabah (15th), Shafiq Nordin (35th), Amir Zulkarnain (37th) and Shahrushadan Basri (57th), while MBPJ got their consolation off G. Tamil Chelvam in the 62nd minute.

In another Division One match, MBI Anderson beat Bukit Jalil Sports School Juniors 4-2.

The Ipoh side took the lead in the 12th minute through Hussaini Husin who converted a penalty corner before Akmal Tajuddin found the mark to double the advantage in the 19th minute. However BJSS Juniors reduced the deficit in the 21st minute when Ramdan Arifin scored off a penalty corner, and were on level terms in the 56th when K. Divanisharan found the mark.

But a late surge by MBI-Anderson earned them three points with goals from Ashran Hamsani (58th) and Akmal Tajuddin (64th) to ensured a 4-2 win.

In a Division Two Group A match, Sapura also indicated that they are primed to play in the knockout quarter-finals with the big boys when they beat Kelantan HA 6-0.

RESULTS -- Division One: BJSS Juniors 2 MBI Anderson 4, SSTMI Thunderbolts 6 MB Petaling Jaya 1.

Division Two -- Group A: Sapura 6 Kelantan HA-MSSK 0, MSSPP-USM Jr 0 Politeknik KPT 9.

Group B: Malacca HS 2 Padang Midin 1, MB Batu Pahat 1 Yayasan Pahang 2.
Read more: HOCKEY: Thunderbolts hand MBPJ a thrashing - Other - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/sports/other/hockey-thunderbolts-hand-mbpj-a-thrashing-1.39248#ixzz1mEn4A5uL

HOCKEY: BJSS Teams Fall From Grace

BUKIT Jalil Sports School (BJSS) seniors and juniors hit a bad patch yesterday when they were both hammered 5-1 in Division One of the Milo-Junior Hockey League.

Thunderbolts’ Shahril Saabah (left) scored two goals in their match against SSBJ in their Division One match of the Milo-Junior Hockey League yesterday. Thunderbolts won 5-1.

 Defending overall champions Thunderbolts hit five goals past BJSS seniors, while Tengku Mahkota Ismail (SSTMI) also scored five goals against BJSS juniors -- and both the matches were played at the Taman Daya Stadium in Johor Baru.

Thunderbolts, who had beaten SSTMI 7-1, have been the most impressive team thus far in the early stages of the JHL.

In another Division One match, Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (MBPJ) whitewashed Tunku Besar Secondary School (TBSS) of Tampin 7-0.

"Although we have had impressive wins (12 goals in two matches), we still have much work to do as we let in a goal each in both matches.

"However, our target to win the double is still in sight, and with one week to prepare for the next match, we should be ready to seal the lapses in defence," said Thunderbolts coach Wan Roslan.

Thunderbolts and UniKL are the frontrunners for the JHL titles this season, as MBPJ have lost one match, while BJSS seniors also look shaky.

Thunderbolts took the lead in the fifth minute when Aminuddin Zain converted a penalty corner and two minutes later, they went 2-0 up with Sufi Ismat getting the final touch.

But BJSS injected some hope into their match in the 13th minute through Rafizul Ezry and the score remained until halftime.

However, two goals from Shahril Saabah (49th, 69th) and Aminuddin (66th) gave Thunderbolts a convincing win.

RESULTS -- Division One: Thunderbolt 5 SSBJ 1, SSTMI 5 SSBJ Jr 1, TBSS 0 MBPJ 7.

Division Two (A): PHK-MSSK v PH Negri Sembilan (rained off).

Division Two (B): KLSS 1 MPBP 2, Padang Midin 4 Datuk Taha 2, Olak-PKT 3 Malacca HS 1.

Read more: HOCKEY: BJSS teams fall from grace - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/hockey-bjss-teams-fall-from-grace-1.35750#ixzz1kdjeAfyA

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.

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