AS the MHF-Milo-NSC National Junior Hockey League reaches its climax,
Tampin District will go into their semifinal as underdogs, but the team
from Negri Sembilan feel they have an excellent chance of upsetting
defending champions Electrical Switchgears Automation (ESA) in the first
leg at the Universiti Sains Malaysia pitch today.
Tampin qualified for the semifinals despite making a shaky start to the
season and team manager Jusvir Singh believes his players have what it
takes to go far.
"We have no `imports' in our team, all the players are from Tampin
District itself," said Jusvir.
And the homegrown talent are beginning to show promise. They even
managed to upset one of the pre-tournament favourites, Andersonians, 2-1,
to make the semifinals.
"We lost 5-0 to ESA in the preliminary rounds but that does not bother
us, the underdog tag suites us fine as there will be no pressure on my
boys when they take to the field," said Jusvir.
"Without the no-offside ruling, anything is possible. If we manage to
hold them to a draw, the second leg is going to be an exciting one."
Tampin top scorer S. Nishel Kumar, with nine goals to his credit, is
likely to be checked and will have a tough time making any attempt at
goal. They also may not field Talent Squad trainee Suhaimi Ibrahim who did
not turn up for two matches.
"Although he has apologised we are not happy with his excuse. We cannot
condone indiscipline even if he is a national player," said Jusvir.
"Certainly, he is an asset and we will have to reconsider his appeal
tomorrow (today)."
ESA, last year's double champions, lost the League title to Old La
Sallians of Klang (Olak) and are expected to go all out for the overall
title.
"We did hand Tampin a sound beating in the earlier match, but the semis
are a different ball game. Tampin have improved since and I have told my
boys not to be overconfident," said ESA team manager S. Kali Kavandan
"We will play our normal game but Tampin can expect a tough fight."
ESA have only lost to Olak and hammered Penang Juniors (7-0) and Bukit
Jalil Sports School (9-0)in their last two matches. If their upward trend
is anything to go by, Tampin are in trouble.
Their top scorer is fullback Dexter Kang Tai Chin with six goals, but ESA
will not rely on him alone to perform as they have 11 other players who
have made the goalscorer's list.
TAMPIN: Kumar Subramanian, Hazazie Hashim, Mohamed Niza Herme, Arul
Kumar, Ali Afdah, Candra Zulkifli, Mohamed Taqrish, Mohamed Azman, Hasnor
Hafiz, S. Nishel Kumar, Suhaimi Ibrahim, S. Sarawanan, Mohamed Fairuz,
Noreffendy Ramli, Norazlan Rahim, S. Sethupathi, Vijayan Govindaj, Mohamed
Kamarul, Raymond Chee, Mohamed Faries.
ESA: Mohamed Najib, Shazidi Yusoff, Shahzan Amir, K. Logan Raj, S.
Kathiresan, K. Keevan Raj, S. Santakumaran, S. Devan, Mohamed Rodzhanizam,
Mohamed Danir, M. Thayalan, Dexter Kang Tai Chin, M. Neruji, V. Asandan,
D. Baskaran, M. Jiva, Shahrin Zainal, Sanjeet Mohan, K. Ganesh, Syahrizal
Zainal.
Today - S-finals 1st leg: PJMC v Olak (PJMC Stadium, 5.0); ESA v Tampin
(Universiti Sains Malaysia, 5.0).
Sunday - 2nd leg: Olak v PJMC (PJMC Stadium, 5.0); Tampin v ESA (Bukit
Jalil, 5.0).
June 28 - 3rd placing (3.30); Final (5.30, Bukit Jalil Stadium).
(END)
Tampin District will go into their semifinal as underdogs, but the team
from Negri Sembilan feel they have an excellent chance of upsetting
defending champions Electrical Switchgears Automation (ESA) in the first
leg at the Universiti Sains Malaysia pitch today.
Tampin qualified for the semifinals despite making a shaky start to the
season and team manager Jusvir Singh believes his players have what it
takes to go far.
"We have no `imports' in our team, all the players are from Tampin
District itself," said Jusvir.
And the homegrown talent are beginning to show promise. They even
managed to upset one of the pre-tournament favourites, Andersonians, 2-1,
to make the semifinals.
"We lost 5-0 to ESA in the preliminary rounds but that does not bother
us, the underdog tag suites us fine as there will be no pressure on my
boys when they take to the field," said Jusvir.
"Without the no-offside ruling, anything is possible. If we manage to
hold them to a draw, the second leg is going to be an exciting one."
Tampin top scorer S. Nishel Kumar, with nine goals to his credit, is
likely to be checked and will have a tough time making any attempt at
goal. They also may not field Talent Squad trainee Suhaimi Ibrahim who did
not turn up for two matches.
"Although he has apologised we are not happy with his excuse. We cannot
condone indiscipline even if he is a national player," said Jusvir.
"Certainly, he is an asset and we will have to reconsider his appeal
tomorrow (today)."
ESA, last year's double champions, lost the League title to Old La
Sallians of Klang (Olak) and are expected to go all out for the overall
title.
"We did hand Tampin a sound beating in the earlier match, but the semis
are a different ball game. Tampin have improved since and I have told my
boys not to be overconfident," said ESA team manager S. Kali Kavandan
"We will play our normal game but Tampin can expect a tough fight."
ESA have only lost to Olak and hammered Penang Juniors (7-0) and Bukit
Jalil Sports School (9-0)in their last two matches. If their upward trend
is anything to go by, Tampin are in trouble.
Their top scorer is fullback Dexter Kang Tai Chin with six goals, but ESA
will not rely on him alone to perform as they have 11 other players who
have made the goalscorer's list.
TAMPIN: Kumar Subramanian, Hazazie Hashim, Mohamed Niza Herme, Arul
Kumar, Ali Afdah, Candra Zulkifli, Mohamed Taqrish, Mohamed Azman, Hasnor
Hafiz, S. Nishel Kumar, Suhaimi Ibrahim, S. Sarawanan, Mohamed Fairuz,
Noreffendy Ramli, Norazlan Rahim, S. Sethupathi, Vijayan Govindaj, Mohamed
Kamarul, Raymond Chee, Mohamed Faries.
ESA: Mohamed Najib, Shazidi Yusoff, Shahzan Amir, K. Logan Raj, S.
Kathiresan, K. Keevan Raj, S. Santakumaran, S. Devan, Mohamed Rodzhanizam,
Mohamed Danir, M. Thayalan, Dexter Kang Tai Chin, M. Neruji, V. Asandan,
D. Baskaran, M. Jiva, Shahrin Zainal, Sanjeet Mohan, K. Ganesh, Syahrizal
Zainal.
Today - S-finals 1st leg: PJMC v Olak (PJMC Stadium, 5.0); ESA v Tampin
(Universiti Sains Malaysia, 5.0).
Sunday - 2nd leg: Olak v PJMC (PJMC Stadium, 5.0); Tampin v ESA (Bukit
Jalil, 5.0).
June 28 - 3rd placing (3.30); Final (5.30, Bukit Jalil Stadium).
(END)
