14-08-2025
SSTMI Thunderbolts strike again to reclaim MJHL Division One crown
KUALA LUMPUR: Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI) Thunderbolts reclaimed the Malaysia Junior Hockey League (MJHL) Division One title with a 3-1 victory over Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) at the Education Ministry Turf on Thursday.
SSTMI, who were overall champions last season, topped the table with 23 points from seven wins and two draws, scoring 34 goals and conceding only seven.
Saiful Syahfy Baddruddin struck twice (14th, 35th minutes) while Farish Haqimi Zamri (25th) was also on target.
Adam Hakim (33rd) pulled one back for MBPJ.
Coach Wan Roslan Wan Abdul Rahman admitted he had initial doubts about defending the title after losing four key players — Haziq Muizuddin Hairul Mizan, Nabil Irfan Yusof, Adam Ashraf Johari and Danish Irfan Saufi — to the national youth squad preparing for the Junior World Cup in November.
"It shows we still have other reliable players in the team to win the title again," he said.
"It feels nice to wrest back the league title after finishing third last year. We hope to continue our performance in the knockout stage."
The knockout stage begins on Aug 19.
In Division Two, SSTMI Juniors edged Negri Sembilan 3-1 in a penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw in regulation time in Sunday's final at the National Hockey Stadium.
Both teams will be promoted to Division One next year.
