KUALA LUMPUR: Defending champions Bukit Jalil Sports School’s (BJSS) poor scoring rate is cause for concern but it is not going to stop them taking a cautious approach in the Division One competition of the MHF-Milo-NSC Junior Hockey League (MJHL).
Coach S. Prakash said that although their two main rivals in the title race had piled up the goals, they were not about to follow suit.
BJSS have scored just seven goals in three matches while Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS)-Thunderbolt have 17 from as many matches. Leaders Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) have 22 goals from four matches.
“I do not think it’s wise for us to worry and start thinking about scoring many goals. It’s better for us to ensure that we get full points in matches,” said Prakash.
“Our main rivals have stacked up the goals and it’s no point chasing them in this area.”
Only three BJSS players have been on target thus far. They are Kavin Kartik, who has scored three penalty corner goals, forward Mohamed Termidzi Ismail with three field goals and midfielder Mohamed Redzhwan Jaafar.
Their other forwards, Dangerous Lee and Faridzul Afiq Mohamed, have yet to hit the target.
“I am not unduly worried over their form. The players are playing well but the teamwork is not good yet. Play was scrappy in our last match against Anderson. I want a more fluid movement from the players and this will be crucial when we meet our main rivals.”
BJSS have one match this weekend – against MSS Kelantan in Kuala Terengganu today. BPSS-Thunderbolt and UniKL also have one match each – against Anderson and BJSS Juniors respectively today and on Sunday. All three teams will be looking to consolidate their positions as the front runners.
UniKL coach I. Vickneswaren said that their priority was also to get full points. It is important that we do not drop points against the lower ranked teams. We have four matches remaining and for now, winning is all that matters.”
