Anderson hope to stop ‘unstoppable’ SSTMI

KUALA LUMPUR: Anderson-Thunderbolt have never beaten defending overall champions Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI)Thunderbolt before.

And the trend is expected to continue when both teams meet in the Malaysian Junior Hockey League (MJHL) match at the SSTMI Pitch in Bandar Penawar, Johor, today.

Anderson did well to upset league champions Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Tigers 4-1 on Wednesday.

SSTMI, powered by eight players from the 2020 Project squad, are just too strong as they top the Division One standings with full points from three matches.

They outplayed SMK Datuk Bentara LuarUniKL-PHJ 4-0, hammered SSTMI Juniors (7-0) and trounced Pahang Hockey Academy (AHP)SSP-Thunderbolt 5-0.

Anderson team manager M. Kaliswaran said SSTMI-Thunderbolt are just unstoppable in the league.

“They are just too solid in every department. “And my boys’ main challenge will be to penetrate their defence and score the first goal,” said the former international.

“They also have very talented players, who can score both field and set-piece goals.

“I hope my boys can rise to the occasion and give them a good fight from the start.

“Although we’ve never beaten them before, I have faith in my players that they will play well,” said Kaliswaran.

“I’m happy with my forward Muhd Azrai Aizad (Abdul Kamal), who scored a hattrick against MBPJ.

“I hope that he can do it against SSTMI,” said Kaliswaran.

SSTMI will again depend on the prolific Mohd Akhimullah Anuar Esook to deliver the goals.

The Kuala Terengganu-born player has netted five goals in three matches.

SSTMI coach Wan Roslan Wan Abdul Rahman said their mission was to win the league title and they would take every match seriously.

“We have respect for Anderson as they upset MBPJ in the opening match.

“I believe that Anderson are one of the teams who can trouble us.

“We’ll play a cautious game and our mission is to make sure that our defence don’t concede a goal,” said Wan Roslan.