KUALA LUMPUR: Double champions Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI)-Thunderbolt suffered a double blow in their hopes of retaining their MHC-Milo-NSC Junior Hockey League Division One title.

Two of their key players – forward Mohd Azwar Abdul Rahman and midfielder Mohd Amirol Aideed Mohd Arshad – were involved in a motorcycle accident last week and have been ruled out of their next four matches.

Thunderbolt coach Wan Mohd Roslan Wan Abdul Rahman said that duo suffered bruises on their hands and legs after their motorcycle skidded at the Lekas Highway in Kajang.

“Luckily, they did not break any bones. However, their bruises are quite bad and I want them to fully recover before they resume action in the league. We will miss their services as we’ve four league matches in eight days,” said Wan Roslan.

Amirol, who has been with Thunderbolt for the last six years, is a member of the Project 2013 squad while Azwar, who joined Thunderbolt last season, is in the Project 2017 squad.

Thunderbolt, who have 15 players from last year’s squad, won their first three matches and are third in the eight-team standings with nine points. Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) are the leaders with 15 points followed by Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) on 12. Both MBPJ and UniKL, however, have played five matches.

Thunderbolt have not played any matches since Jan 12 as nine of their players went with the Project 2017 squad to play in the Australian Youth Olympic Festival (AYOF) in Sydney from Jan 16-20.

Thunderbolt will face MSS Penang-USM in Penang today before they travel to Ipoh tomorrow to meet MBI-Anderson.

On Sunday, they will be up against 2006 overall champions MBPJ, before they wrap up the league fixture against UniKL.

“I hope the players can rise to the occasion after a three-week break. We should not have any problems collecting full points against MSS Penang and MBI-Anderson. My main concern is the match against MBPJ on Sunday,” said Wan Roslan.

“MBPJ are riding high after five consecutive wins. They will be going all out to get the better of us to win their first league title.

“So, the pressure will be on us to beat them to stay on course to retain the league title,” added Wan Roslan.

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