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Sports

Tuesday March 3, 2009

Bandar Penawar cautious despite being on top of standings

By S. RAMAGURU

KUALA LUMPUR: Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS) are not going to get carried away by their standing at the top of Division Two (Under-19) of the Malaysia Hockey League.

Coach Wan Mohamed Roslan said yesterday that it was too early for them to think that they were the top contenders because they have yet to play against the stronger teams.

Not over yet: Anderson's Muhammad Azrin Anuar (left) challenges BJSS' Mohd Hasrul Zari for the ball on sunday. The match was later abandoned because of heavy rain.

“It is good to be in the lead but it is not where we really stand. Two matches were postponed and we have yet to play the front-runners for the title. I would be very happy if we are in this position two weeks from now,” he said.

The matches involving Old La Sallians As­­sociation of Klang (Olak) versus JSC-Batu Pahat and Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) against An­­derson were abandoned because of heavy rain.

BPSS have played four matches thus far and 10 points from a draw and three wins. And Wan Mohamed said that the opening match draw with MSN Malacca was a blow for them as this could prove decisive in the final count.

BPSS’ next match is against BJSS Juniors on Friday after which comes the crucial matches, starting with Olak on Sunday. Their other matches are against Tenaga Nasional (March 29), Kijang Mas (April 3), Setapak High School (April 5), BJSS (April 10) and Anderson (April 12).

“Our target is to keep up the winning run. There are several strong contenders for the title and dropping points will allow the other teams to move ahead of us,” said Wan Mohamed.

Defending double champions BJSS were the previous leaders. They were leading Anderson 1-0 when rain halted play.

BJSS coach S. Prakash said that having to replay the match would add pressure on his players.

“We understand the situation and realise that it is nobody’s fault. But it is an unwanted addition to our schedule,” he said.

The two sports schools are the unbeaten sides in the league together with Olak and Setapak High School. But Tenaga, Anderson and Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) are still very much in the title hunt.

The league will take a two-week break after Sunday’s matches to allow the players to compete in the national Under-16 tournament in Seremban from March 14-26.

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