www.thestar.com.my
Defending champions Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) paid the price for their poor defending when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) in a Division One match of the MHF-Milo-NSC Junior Hockey League at the Tun Razak Stadium here yesterday.
The draw has dented BJSS’ title hopes, handing the advantage to Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) and BPSS-Thunderbolt.
BJSS are now second in the nine-team standings with 13 points from five matches. UniKL lead the way with 15 points while BPSS-Thunderbolt have 12 and with a game in hand.
BJSS knew they had to win yesterday’s match as they would be facing their title rivals in the coming weeks.
But, despite taking a two-goal lead in the first half – courtesy of Faridzul Afiq Mohamed’s brace in the 10th and 31st minutes – they blew up after the break.
A mistake just a minute after the break saw MBPJ earn a penalty stroke, which was converted by Mohd Ismat Imadi.
MBPJ’s fightback paid off when Mohd Izat Hakimi scored the equaliser, off a penalty corner, in the 66th minute.
Earlier, Sabah’s unbeaten run in Division Two came to end in Ipoh yesterday when they lost 1-3 to Ipoh City Council at the Sultan Azlan Shah Stadium.
Ipoh CC now lead the lower division with 14 points after six matches. There are two more games to go before the preliminary round ends.
Sabah, with nine points from four matches, are still in the title hunt as they have four matches left.
Ipoh CC went 2-0 up in the first half through Mohd Harris Fadila (14th minute) and Mohd Saifuddin (31st).
Sabah pulled a goal back in the 63rd minute through Herik Ahmad Syam but Ipoh CC sealed victory four minutes later through Mohd Azrul Fazrin’s goal.
At the Kuantan Hockey Stadium, MSS Pahang edged Penang Free School (PFS) 5-4 to remain unbeaten after four matches.
The win moves the Pahang team into second place with 12 points.
Mohd Fahmi Abdullah scored a hat-trick in the 25th, 27th and 40th minutes while Mohd Hafiz Zainol and Zulhannan Mazlan chipped in with a goal each in the 58th and 61st minutes respectively.
PFS’ scorers were Mohd Hafify Mohd Rodzi (4th and 69th), Mohd Ammar Adly Abd Rahman (37th) and Muhd Uzair Ahmad Sabri (49th).
In the final Division Two match of the day, MSN Johor and Matri drew 1-1 to share the points.
