Olak can't ignore no-offside ruling

05/06/1998

THE National Junior League semifinals second leg look like foregone
conclusions, but Electrical Switchgear Automation (ESA) and Johor Sports
Council (JSC) beg to differ.
On Wednesday, Old La Sallians of Klang (Olak) beat ESA 5-2 while Malacca
Municipal Council (MMC) beat JSC 2-0.
But since the no-offside ruling came into efect, Olak and MMC will have
to produce better hockey to reach the final.
Olak are an interesting team to watch but once they take a commanding
lead, their players tend to take things for granted and this could spell
trouble for them.
"Yes, I admit that we could have beaten ESA by about eight goals in the
first leg and confirm our place in the final on Sunday. But once we were
5-0 up, the players started relaxing and ESA scored two quick goals to
cushion the return leg," said Olak assistant manager Joseph de Silva.
Syayrim Uda Karim will surely be a marked man when Olak journey to
Universiti Sains Malaysia for the return leg today for he has scored 18
goals in the tournament and is the clear winner of the Topscorers Award.
But Olak are a well rounded side and many in their forwardline can
score.
Marking out Syayrim will not be enough.
"I have many juniors in the side and this is actually a side for the
future. A defeat will not break hearts but Olak better come prepared
because the USM pitch has always brought luck to us. We are still in the
running," said ESA team manager S. Kali Kavandan.
Kali has three 14-year-olds in his side, including his son Mano Raj.
JSC, one of the early favourites, lost much of their bite when a few of
their players received offers to further their studies but losing 2-0 in
Malacca is no great shakes.
"We have to do better during the penalty corners to beat a side like
Malacca,"said JSC coach Balbir Singh.
Today - s-final return leg: ESA v Olak (Universiti Sains Malaysia, 5.0),
JSC v MMC (Tun Razak Stadium, 5.0); Sunday - Final: (Tun Razak Stadium,
5.0).
(END)