BPSS-Thunderbolt or Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) will be crowned the new Division One league champions after their clash today at the KL Hockey Stadium.
Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) have been the champions since 2003 and the best they can hope to finish this time is in third place.
BPSS-Thunderbolt, a combined team of the Bandar Penawar Sports School and Tenaga Nasional, is the current leader with 21 points.
Newcomers UniKL is second on 19 and their match today is the last of the preliminary round. BPSS have 14 points and will play their last match against lowly MWHA.
UniKL coach I. Vickneswaren said yesterday that this was the most important match for them as it will finally decide the title.
“We are looking forward to the tie as this will give us the chance to win the league title in our debut season.
“But we expect a tough time as the BPSS-Thunderbolt team are also looking for the first title win and they will be well motivated as well. Furthermore they have a strong team with many experience players in their rank,” he said.
Faisal Saari is looming to be the main player for the Sports School combine while Mohamed Sabri Mohamed is the vital cog for UniKL.
Both are the main goal scorers for their respective teams.
Still the tactical planning of the two coaches will play a big part in the outcome. In this case Vickneswaren have to out think Wan Roslan Wan Rahman to ensure they have a winning edge.
In Division Two the title will also be decided today when the final round of matches are played.
Sabah MSN are the favourites to lift the title in their debut season as well. They lead the standings with 18 points and a win over Penang Free School will ensure the title.
MSS Pahang are their nearest rival on 18n points as well but they have a tough match against Ipoh City Council and even then they need to win by a huge margin to counter Sabah’s superior goal count.
However, the cast for the quaterterfinals have been decided.
BPSS-Thunderbolt, UniKL, BJSS, Petaling Jaya City Council and BPSS Juniors are the qualifiers from Division One while from Division Two, the teams are Sabah MSN, MSS Pahang and Ipoh CC.
The knockout stage will begin on Tuesday.
