Undefeated Bukit Jalil Sports School picked up the full points on the weekend when a lone strike from Muhammad Aiman Zaini in the second half gave them a hard-earned 1-0 win over Selangor’s SMK Seksyen 11 in the Super League of the Ministry of Education Under-17.
The 16-year-olds from Bukit Jalil might have struggled somewhat at the start but they did just enough to fend off the older lads from across town as Muhammad Aiman slotted home from a tight angle in the 50th minute of play.
From then on, it was defending at all cost for the homesters as SMK Seksyen 11 pressed hard before onslaught of the evening shower.
“It was a scrappy first half. We did not pass the ball well at all in the beginning although on hindsight, the several injuries affected play somewhat,” said Buki Jalil assistant coach Lim Chuan Chin.
“But after we struck the lead, the boys defended hard and maintained the backline which was important against the physically bigger 17-year-olds from Selangor.”
The win further consolidated Bukit Jalil’s position at the top of the Super League where they have picked up seven points from three matches played thus far.
On second and on the same seven points is SMK Za’ba of Negeri Sembilan, who this week disposed of SMK Mutiara Impian of Penang 3-2 in Kuala Pilah with Muhamad Yusri Che Ramli scoring the winner two minutes to the end.
SMK Mutiara Impian’s goals were scored by Mohamad Haziq Fikri Haszaime in the third minute and Mohamad Shahle Yusoff (84th minute) as SMK Za’ba replied through Muhamad Farhan Mohd Shahrin (48th minute) and Muhamad Yusri (65th).
In the meantime in the Premier League, SMK Putera of Kelantan kept up the pressure at the top of the standings with a 4-0 beating of Melaka’s SMK Seri Kota.
The scorers for SMK Putera were Afiq Saluddin (4th and 13th minute), Nik Akif Shahiran Nik Mat (34th) and Muhammad Abiq Idham Mat Lazim (45th) as they drew on level points with leaders SMK Seri Titiwangsa of Kuala Lumpur, who did not play on the weeked.
On the other hand, basement side SMK Gunung Rapat of Perak suffered further misery when they were beaten 2-1 at home by the U15 team of the Gambang Sports School.
Nor Amirul Awang scored the winner deep in injury time for Gambang to pick up their first three points of the season.
SMK Gunung Rapat had earlier cancelled out Gambang’s lead through Arif Shaqirin Suhaimi in the 55th minute with the equalizer off Muhammad Khairul Amizan Suhaimi in the 71st minute.
The loss ensured SMK Gunung Rapat are still without a point after three matches in the league.
UNDER-17 RESULTS
SUPER LEAGUE
Bukit Jalil Sports School (U16) 1
SMK Seksyen 11 (SELANGOR) 0
SMK Za’ba (NEGERI SEMBILAN) 3
SMK Mutiara Impian (PENANG) 2
SMK Bukit Nenas (TERENGGANU) 0
SMK Tunku Anum (KEDAH) 0
SMK Tabuan Jaya (SARAWAK) 6
Gambang Sports School (U16) 1
PREMIER LEAGUE
SMK Putera (KELANTAN) 4
SMK Seri Kota (MELAKA) 0
SMK Tun Hussein Onn (JOHOR) 2
Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School (U15) 1
SMK Gunung Rapat (PERAK) 1
Gambang Sports School (U15) 2
SMK Datuk Peter Mojuntin (SABAH) 0
SMK Seberang Temerloh (PAHANG) 3
PHOTO CAPTION
Bukit Jalil Sports School (in all blue kit) against SMK Seksyen 11 (in white / black kit)
