Mohd Najme Ahmad Hayazi (right) in a file photo. He will be part of the Anderson-Perak SEDC team when the Malaysian Junior Hockey League begins on Thursday.
KUALA LUMPUR: Anderson-Perak SEDC have only one objective when the MHC-Milo-NSC Malaysian Junior Hockey League (MJHL) begins on Thursday – to play consistently throughout the tournament.
The Ipoh team were served a bitter lesson last season when they stunned double champions Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (SSTMI)-Thunderbolts 1-0 in the league but ended up losing to SSTMI Juniors 2-0 instead.
That defeat still rankles coach Mohd Nizam Mohd Badrul who wants his players to not take any opponent for granted.
“It was a bitter lesson for us and we never really recovered from that,” said Nizam.
“I want my team to play a consistent game. We will take it one match at a time.
“I will only be able to judge my team after the first match. We lack match practice and that is one factor that worries me,” said Nizam.
Anderson open their campaign against Malacca High School on Saturday and play former champions Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) on Sunday.
“These are tough matches and I hope we can have a good start to boost the team morale and confidence.
“Our target is to make the top four in the league,” said Nizam.
Included in Anderson’s team are four national Under-16 players who featured in the four-nation invitational tournament in Mannheim, Germany, last year.
They are Mohd Badrul Amin Salleh, Mohd Najme Ahmad Hayazi, Mohd Nor Adha Mohd Fadzil and Mohd Nur Azlan Azman.
Anderson are optimistic that this will be the season to show their mettle as the players have been playing together for the past three years.
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