KUALA LUMPUR (7 JULY 2019): Table toppers, SSTMI Thunderbolts needed two goals in the second half to edge out closest challengers, AHP-MSSP Thunderbolts, 3-1 in a closely fought Malaysian Junior Hockey League (MJHL) 2019 match at Wisma Belia yesterday.Muhammad Hafiz Mohd Zamri@Mohd Zahari’s opening goal for the defending champions in the 12th minute through a penalty corner was cancelled out by the home side’s equalizer through a field goal by Muhammad Syamin Naim Abdul Hamid three minutes later.

But two field goals, first by Muhajr Abdu Rauf in the 36th minute followed by Muhamad Hafizz Fikri Zali in the 39th minute made sure all three points belonged to SSTMI as they preserved their 100% record this season.

SSTMI now have a six point lead and a +42 goal difference over AHP-MSSP (18 points, +14 goal difference) although the second placed team can close the gap back to three points if they win their game in hand.

BJSS Thunderbolts are third with 17 points after drawing 2-2 with MBPJ Tigers. Muhammad Faiq Nazwan Mohd Azhar opened the scoring for BJSS through a field goal in the sixth minute only for Muhd Imran Hazriq Khamarul Nizam to equalize nine minutes later, also through a field goal.

Mior Mohamad Fikri Zarisham again put MBPJ Tigers in front in the 29th minute before Muhammad Amirul Hanif Mamat equalized in the 42nd minute for a 2-2 full-time score.

Rounding off yesterday’s fixtures, SMKDBL-UNIKL-PHJ-MSNJ had a field time, trashing MSSPP-PSHA 7-0, BJSS Jr 2022 lost 2-4 to KL Wipers, MSN/SSN/ PHPs Young Lion lost 3-4 to Anderson Thunderbolts while SSTMI Juniors won 3-1 against Sabah Jr (PHS/SHA-SSMS).

Meanwhile, in the women’s division, MBPJ Black Widow continue to lead at the top of the standings, but only just as they drew 1-1 with SSTMI-PKS-Uniten.

This is the first time the PJ based outfit have failed to secure maximum points after three previous wins.

Mutiara Impian-MSSPP-PSHA are now in second after an 8-0 thrashing of Zaba Girls. In the other matches, SSP-MSP PKS Uniten won 2-0 against KL Wipers-KLSS and SSMS Girls lost 0-1 to MSNT-PHT-MSST.

Results of yesterday’s fixtures (Sunday, 7th July)

Men’s
SMKDBL-UNIKL-PHJ MSNJ 7-0 MSSPP-PSHA
BJSS Jr (2022) 2-4 KL Wipers
MSN/SSN/ PHPs Young Lion 3-4 Anderson Thunderbolts
AHP- MSSP Thunderbolts 1-3 SSTMI Thunderbolts
MBPJ Tigers 2-2 BJSS Thunderbolts
SSTMI Juniors 3-1 Sabah Jr (SSMS-SHA/PHS)

Women’s
SSMS Girls 0-1 MSNT-PHT-MSST
Mutiara Impian-MSSPP-PSHA 8-0 Zaba Girls
SSP-MSP-PKS Uniten 2-0 KL Wipers-KLSS
MBPJ Black Widow 1-1 SSTMI-PKS-Uniten