Anderson aim to be giant killers again

ANDERSON Thunderbolts are looking forward to another giant killing feat to reach the final of the TNB Cup in the Junior Hockey League.

The Ipoh lads shocked newly crowned Division One League champions Petaling Jaya City Council Tigers 3-2 in the quarter-finals at the PJCC Stadium on Friday.

And Anderson, who finished fifth in Division One, now want to get the better of Pahang Hockey Academy (AHP)-MSPThunderbolt in the semi-finals at the Tun Razak Stadium today.

Anderson coach M. Kaliswaran said: “My players are in high spirit after they shocked favourites PJCC at their own backyard.

“My boys showed that they can beat any top team in the knockout stage and I have faith that they will rise to the occasion again to turn the tables on Pahang,” Kaliswaran said.

“We also have a score to settle against Pahang as we lost to them (2-1 in the penalty shootout after both teams ended tied 2-2 in regulation time) in the playoff for third place last year.

“We also lost to Pahang 3-1 in the League match this season but playing in the knockout stage is a different ball game.”

Pahang Hockey Academy coach Sufian Mohamed said Anderson have improved a lot this season.

“If they can stun favourites PJCC, then they are capable of beating any team to reach the final. The pressure would be on us to stop them,” said Sufian.

The other semi-final is between overall champions Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) Thunderbolts and last year’s league champions Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) Thundrbolts.

TODAY – Men’s semi-finals: Anderson Thunderbolts v MSP Thunderbolts (Tun Razak, 6pm), BJSS Thunderbolts v SSTMI Thunderbolts (Tun Razak. 8.30pm).

Women’s semi-finals: SSTMI v MSN Kedah (KLHA, 4pm), USM v KLSS-Wipers (KLHA, 6pm). Jugjet Singh