The Star Online: Sports
The Star Online: Sports |
- Anuar wants to add national champion’s jersey to his collection
- MHF defer starting date for Malaysia Hockey League
- ‘Lucky’ Malaysia set up final clash with South Korea
| Anuar wants to add national champion’s jersey to his collection Posted: 25 Jun 2011 04:34 PM PDT RAUB: Cyclist Anuar Manan has numerous stage wins in the International Cycling Union (UCI) Asia Tour races and has worn the yellow jersey on several occasions. But the one he cherishes most and missing from his collection is the black and white tiger-striped national champion's jersey. In 2009, Anuar was beaten in the mass sprint down the finish line at the national meet in Malacca and he ended up fifth. Last year, the hilly terrain of Seri Menanti in Negri Sembilan worked against him as Mohd Adiq Hussainie Othman rode to victory. Anuar finished fifth, again. In the national meet today, the Terengganu Pro-Asia Cycling ace has vowed to make amends and be third time lucky. "It was not easy for me as the terrain in Seri Menanti was not suited to my style of riding. I tried my best but several riders got into the break and Adiq went on to win it," said Anuar about last year's race. "To my knowledge, the route here (Raub) is not hilly ... maybe slightly undulating but nothing too difficult for me. I hope I can win this time". He said it was important for him to win the national title as it would help him gain vital points for the UCI rankings. As of May 25, Malaysia are fourth in the UCI Asia rankings with 181 points, behind South Korea (217). Iran lead the rankings with 754 points, followed by Japan (688). The top three nations in the rankings on Aug 15 will qualify for the World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark, in September. "It's not just about wearing the jersey. The points at stake is much more important for me. I'm just 25 this year and I believe I can always try to win it after this. But we are in a good position to fight for a spot in the world meet and I cannot let this chance go," said Anuar, who is the biggest points earner for Malaysia with 66. His team-mate in the Terengganu Pro-Asia team, Mohd Harrif Salleh, has raked in 28 points thus far. Meanwhile, Anuar's Terengganu Pro-Asia team-mate, Mohd Saufi Mat Senan, clocked 3'46:04 to win the 164km race in the fourth leg of the national grand prix yesterday. Former national champion Suhardi Hassan finished second with the same time while Nik Mohd Azwan Zulkiflie of Police was third just two seconds behind. In the women's event, Masziyaton Mohd Radzi won ahead of Kimbeley Yap and third-placed Mariana Mohamad. All clocked 3'14:44 in the 113km race. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price. |
| MHF defer starting date for Malaysia Hockey League Posted: 25 Jun 2011 04:33 PM PDT KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) competitions committee have deferred the decision on the starting date of the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) pending a more detailed discussion with the parties concerned. A one-day workshop for the state secretaries, clubs and team management will be held on July 16 to discuss the issue. MHF competitions committee chairman Datuk Abdul Rahim Mohd Arif said the MHL would not be scrapped. "The plan is to go ahead with it as planned in September," he said after chairing the nearly four-hour long competitions committee meeting at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday. "But the national team seem to have their plates full with programmes every month. That is why we have decided on the workshop so that all parties can attend and help us decide. "Whatever the decision, we must make sure it is a win-win situation for all parties." It was decided at the meeting that national players would not be barred from playing in the MHL. This means the national players will have to divide their time between club and national duty each week. "We have agreed to let the national team have the players for three days a week and then for the them to be released to play for their clubs over the weekends," he said. "The only problem is that we were unable to make a firm decision as the national team management committee were not present to give their views. "That is why we have deferred the decision on the starting date of the MHL." The national team are preparing for the Olympic qualifiers next year and have lined up several programmes for the next few months. The national players will be released to play in the Razak Cup in July while August is out of the question because of the fasting month. The MHF want to start the MHL in September, after the national team have finished playing in the Asian Champions Trophy from Sept 3-11 in China. They plan to complete the preliminary round by end of October and then release the players to the national team to prepare for the Champions Challenge I in South Africa from Nov 29-Dec 6. The knockout stage of the MHL is slated for December. But this date will depend on where and when the Olympic qualifiers will be held next year. That decision will be known on Nov 18. On the Razak Cup, the committee will wait for the qualifying round to end before deciding on the groupings for the final round, which will be held in Malacca from July 22-28. Rahim confirmed that Terengganu, who had pulled out earlier last month, have changed their minds and will take part in the East Zone qualifiers, which will begin next weekend and end by July 9. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price. |
| ‘Lucky’ Malaysia set up final clash with South Korea Posted: 25 Jun 2011 04:32 PM PDT PETALING JAYA: Malaysia scored a goal in each half to beat Singapore 2-1 and qualify for their second straight final in the Under-18 Asia Cup at the Sengkang Hockey Stadium in Singapore yesterday. Malaysia, who lost 1-3 to Pakistan in the 2009 final, will meet South Korea in today's title showdown (6pm). The Koreans defeated Pakistan 2-1 in the other semi-final. Malaysia and South Korea drew 2-2 in the preliminary round. In yesterday's semi-final against Singapore, Malaysia shot ahead in the 10th minute when Fitri Saari scored from a penalty corner rebound. Malaysia doubled their advantage in the 50th minute through a Mohamed Aziq field goal. Mohd Ashriq then pulled one back for Singapore in the last minute with a field goal. But it was too little too late. National coach K. Gobinathan admitted that his boys did not play well and "we were lucky that the Singaporeans only came alive late in the second half". "It was a tough match .. but it was of our own doing. We played badly overall. I hope the players will improve tomorrow (today) against the Koreans," said Gobinathan. "In the preliminary round, we also had the lead and allowed the Koreans to hit back late in the match." The Koreans, meanwhile, had to come from behind to edge favourites and defending champions Pakistan. Pakistan took the lead in the 24th minute through Waseem Abas off a penalty corner set piece move. The Koreans equalised through Hwang Weon-ki in the 48th minute before Kim Ji-won scored the winner in the 53rd minute. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price. |
| You are subscribed to email updates from The Star Online: Sports To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
0 ulasan:
Catat Ulasan