SSTMI, BJSS on a high in Thunderbolts Cup
November 4, 2016
BJSS inaugural Thunderbolts Cup champions
November 6, 2016
Bandar Penawar (5 November, 2016): Sabah Sports School Malaysia created the biggest upset in the inaugural TNB Thunderbolts Cup by carving a 3-2 victory over Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) in the semi-finals at the STTMI Hockey Stadium today.
Sabah Sports School will meet Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) in the final.
Muhammad Saifuddin Azli gave Sabah SC the lead with a 25th minute penalty corner goal but Muhammad Amirul Hamizan converted a penalty stroke in the next minute for SSTMI to level score 1-1.Sabah, however, went 2-1 ahead in the 28th minute via a Muhajir Abdul Rauf field goal and SSTMI, once again, equalised through Muhammad Syawal Nazjmi.
However, Muhammad Saifuddin provided the final blow to SSTMI, the TNB National Junior League champions, by converting a penalty stroke in the 40th minute to set up a showdown with BJSS.
BJSS, who won the overall TNB Junior Cup, however, were put to severe test by SMK Datuk Bentara Lama Batu Pahat – the Johor state hockey project school – before prevailing 5-4 in penalty shootout. The match ended in a scoreless draw in regulation time.
Goalkeepers Muhammad Hilmi Fazli for BJSS and Syed Lokman Syed Abdullah of Johor Sports School were the heroes of the day, denying the forwards from both sides scoring chances. BJSS had three penalty corners and Johor Sports School two but Muhammad Hilmi and Syed Lokman and were strong between the posts.
The shootout also ended a 4-4 draw, forcing the match into sudden death which Muhammad Ramdan sealed victory with a neat push past Syed Lokman after Johor Sports School failed in their attempt.
BJSS scorers in the shootout were Faiq Razim Zariq Idris, Muhammad Amirul Mirza, Muhammad Noor Firdaus and Muhammad Ramadan while Johor Sports School replied through Muhammad Adib Azim, Muhammad Haikal Khairul Azmi, Muhammad Arif Esa and Haikal Abdul Razak.
Earlier in the last preliminary round group matches played in the morning, SSTMI edged SMK Anderson Ipoh 1-0, thanks largely to a sixth minute penalty stroke converted by Muhammad Amirul Hamizan. With this win, SSTMI topped Group A on nine points.
Johor Sports School overcame a gritty Singapore Development team 2-0 with field goal from Muhammad Adib Azim Abd Shukor (15th) and Muhammad Haikal Khairul’s penalty corner strike in the 24th minute.
The Batu Pahat-based Johor Sports School finished second in the Group A table standings on six points, Anderson third (3) and Singapore at the bottom with no wins.
Bukit Jalil Sports School defeated Selangor 3-0 in Group B matches while Sabah Sports School bounced back from a 2-4 loss against BJSS to register 2-0 and 6-0 victories over Pahang Sports School and Selangor respectively.
BJSS, unbeaten in three matches, topped the standings on nine points followed by Sabah second.
Results – Semi-finals: BJSS 0 Johor Sports School 0 (BJSS won 5-4 in penalty shootout); Sabah Sports School Malaysia bt SSTMI 3-2.
Fixtures – Sunday (6 November) Final: Sabah Sports School Malaysia v BJSS (10.00am); Third-Fourth Playoff: SSTMI v Johor Sports School (8.00am).
