Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya (MBPJ) Tigers are back on top of Division One after defeating Politeknik Malaysia KPT 4-2 in the 2017 TNB Malaysian Junior Hockey League match at the MBPJ Hockey Stadium today.
The result sees MBPJ amassed 18 points – a two-point lead at the top of the standings from seven matches over Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) Thunderbolt while Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) Thunderbolt are third with 15 points.
AHP-MSP Thunderbolt and SMKDBL Johor Juniors are fourth and fifth respectively on 14 points from seven matches with Ipoh-based Anderson Thunderbolt in sixth spot with 11 points.
University Kuala Lumpur Young Guns are on nine points, Olak-Nurinsafi and Politeknik Malaysia-KPT five and BJSS Juniors reeling at the bottom with one point from eight matches.
MBPJ Tigers coach Mohd Harfizi Baharom was happy with his side’s performance, especially since they have played five matches in nine days.
“The team had to play with a slow tempo today. I need my players to conserve their strength and energy. Five games in nine days is not an easy task but we must find a way.
“We also played a younger team, so I am very happy with the result. They showed fighting spirit which is also very important at this point,” said Mohd Harfizi.
MBPJ will next play AHP-MSP-Thunderbolt on Friday before wrapping their fixtures on Sunday against BJSS Thunderbolt and Mohd Harfizi is worried on the fitness of forward and captain Wan Hazig Hisyamuddin Wan Ameer and defender Adam Aiman Mamat.
“They picked up their injuries in the last match and they both have a 50-50 chance of returning on Friday. It will be tough against both the Thunderbolt teams and their presence will be a great help,” added Mohd Harfizi.
MBPJ opened the scoring in the ninth minute through a Mohd Norshahrezan Mat Jusoh penalty corner while Muhd Nur Iman Muhammad Raflee doubled the lead two minutes later.
Politeknik Malaysia’s Muhammad Asyraf Idris missed a great chance to open the scoring for his side, but with only goalkeeper Muhammad Raziq Rahman Nasir to beat he hit the ball against the crossbar.
Politeknik Malaysia pulled one back in the 15 minute courtesy of a Mohamad Sufian Marsom penalty corner only for Muhammad Nur Asyraf Ishak to restore MBPJ’S two-goal cushion from a penalty corner in the 34th minute.
Muhammad Adhwa Mohd Jalil scored Politeknik Malaysia’s second in the 55th minute to make it 3-2 but Mohd Norshahrezan rounded up the scoring a minute later from a penalty corner.
Results
Boys Division 1:
MBPJ Tiger 4 Politeknik Malaysia KPT 2; Anderson Thunderbolt 1 AHP-MSP-Thunderbolt 3.
Division 2 Group X: MSNSSN Young Lion 0 SSTMI Juniors 3;
Group Y: MBMB Warriors 5 MSSPP-PHA-USM 1.
May 4 Fixtures:
Boys Division 2 Group X: SSTMI Juniors v MBFM-FELDA Juniors (Tun Razak Hockey Stadium, 4pm);
Group Y: MSSPP-PHA-USM v SSMS Resilient (Tun Razak Hockey Stadium, 6pm).
Division 1 (May 5, Friday): AHP-MSP-Thunderbolt v MBPJ Tiger (Tun Razak Stadium, 5pm); Politeknik Malaysia KPT v Anderson Thunderbolt (Ministry of Education Turf, 5pm); BJSS Thunderbolt v SMKDBL Johor Juniors (Kuala Lumpur Hockey Stadium, 6pm); SSTMI Thunderbolt v Olak-Nurinsafi (SSTMI, 5pm).
