THE knockout stage of any tournament often produces upsets and today's
quarterfinal first-leg tie between Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (MPPJ)
and DeTas should add spice and intrigue to the Malaysia Hockey League
(MHL).
DeTas, have no other choice but to go all-out against MPPJ at the Bukit
Jalil Stadium today.
DeTas, fourth in the League last season, finished a disappointing sixth
this time. But the team have put the disappointment behind and instead
will wage an all out against their opponents.
"Of course, we would have liked to repeat last year's performance by
finishing fourth in the MHL," said coach Kevin Nunis.
"MPPJ should be the favourites but I promise they will have a fight on
their hands."
MPPJ, parading several national stars, will start as favourites but an
upset cannot be ruled out.
But for that to happen, much will depend on Lim Chiow Chuan, Gary
Fidelis, striker Azman Ariffin and rising star K. Logan Raj.
On paper, MPPJ should win but be prepared for a surprise.
In the other quarterfinals Pos Malaysia, fourth on the standings, look
stronger than BBMB. In the preliminaries, Pos scored 25 goals and
conceeded 16 while BBMB scored only 18 goals and let in 15.
The main players for Pos are Lee Sien Lam, Balbir Singh and Calvin
Fernandez, a real deadly combination on a good day. BBMB would have to pay
special attention to the trio if they want to make an impact.
Fernandez said they have a 50-50 chance: "Balbir and goalkeeper Nasihin
Nubli would be the key players to determine our fate tomorrow (today)."
Also BBMB Four teams will begin the quarterfinals today, but national
coach Volker Knapp has picked the teams that will meet in the final:
"Going by the draw, Bank Simpanan and PJMC will be on the field on Sept 6.
Not that I am looking down at the other six. At this stage, upsets are the
order of the day, but if BSN and PJMC play like they did in the
preliminaries, it will be difficult to beat them."
FIXTURES - (Q-finals 1st leg) Today: PJMC v DeTas (5.30, Petaling Jaya
Municipal Council Stadium); Pos Malaysia v Bank Bumi (5.30, Bukit Jalil
Stadium).
Tomorrow: Tenaga Nasional v Maybank (6.0, Bukit Jalil Stadium); Bank
Simpanan Nasional v Kuala Langat (8.0, Bukit Jalil Stadium).
Second leg - Saturday: Bank Bumi v Pos Malaysia (5.30, Bukit Jalil
Stadium); DeTas v PJMC (5.30, Kuantan Stadium).
Sunday: Kuala Langat v Bank Simpanan (6.0, Bukit Jalil Stadium); Maybank
v Tenaga Nasional (8.0, Bukit Jalil Stadium).
(END)
quarterfinal first-leg tie between Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (MPPJ)
and DeTas should add spice and intrigue to the Malaysia Hockey League
(MHL).
DeTas, have no other choice but to go all-out against MPPJ at the Bukit
Jalil Stadium today.
DeTas, fourth in the League last season, finished a disappointing sixth
this time. But the team have put the disappointment behind and instead
will wage an all out against their opponents.
"Of course, we would have liked to repeat last year's performance by
finishing fourth in the MHL," said coach Kevin Nunis.
"MPPJ should be the favourites but I promise they will have a fight on
their hands."
MPPJ, parading several national stars, will start as favourites but an
upset cannot be ruled out.
But for that to happen, much will depend on Lim Chiow Chuan, Gary
Fidelis, striker Azman Ariffin and rising star K. Logan Raj.
On paper, MPPJ should win but be prepared for a surprise.
In the other quarterfinals Pos Malaysia, fourth on the standings, look
stronger than BBMB. In the preliminaries, Pos scored 25 goals and
conceeded 16 while BBMB scored only 18 goals and let in 15.
The main players for Pos are Lee Sien Lam, Balbir Singh and Calvin
Fernandez, a real deadly combination on a good day. BBMB would have to pay
special attention to the trio if they want to make an impact.
Fernandez said they have a 50-50 chance: "Balbir and goalkeeper Nasihin
Nubli would be the key players to determine our fate tomorrow (today)."
Also BBMB Four teams will begin the quarterfinals today, but national
coach Volker Knapp has picked the teams that will meet in the final:
"Going by the draw, Bank Simpanan and PJMC will be on the field on Sept 6.
Not that I am looking down at the other six. At this stage, upsets are the
order of the day, but if BSN and PJMC play like they did in the
preliminaries, it will be difficult to beat them."
FIXTURES - (Q-finals 1st leg) Today: PJMC v DeTas (5.30, Petaling Jaya
Municipal Council Stadium); Pos Malaysia v Bank Bumi (5.30, Bukit Jalil
Stadium).
Tomorrow: Tenaga Nasional v Maybank (6.0, Bukit Jalil Stadium); Bank
Simpanan Nasional v Kuala Langat (8.0, Bukit Jalil Stadium).
Second leg - Saturday: Bank Bumi v Pos Malaysia (5.30, Bukit Jalil
Stadium); DeTas v PJMC (5.30, Kuantan Stadium).
Sunday: Kuala Langat v Bank Simpanan (6.0, Bukit Jalil Stadium); Maybank
v Tenaga Nasional (8.0, Bukit Jalil Stadium).
(END)
