Yellow cards skippers put on ice

07/06/1998

TODAY'S National Junior League final will be a tale of two absent
captains. Just like any natural-born leader, both men led the charge from
the front and have paid for their selfless valour.
In this case, Malacca Municipal Council skipper Chua Boon Huat will join
his Old La Sallians Klang counterpart Syayrim Uda Karim on the sidelines
after accumulating two yellow cards. Ironically, both players collected
their decisive cards in Friday's semifinals second leg.
There is still hope for Chua as the Junior League technical committee
will meet at 2.0pm today to decide on MMC's appeal to reduce the yellow
card to a green card offence.
Should the appeal be successful, Chua will be able to lead his team for
the final.
As for Syayrim, who has poached 18 goals for Olak, he can kiss the
League goodbye because he will be overaged next year.
As with every protest, the match umpire plays an important role and in
this case, Brian Fernendez holds the key for MMC.
Cards aside, the final is expected to be an explosive affair as both
teams will be eyeing more than just the overall title.
League champions Olak will be gunning for a double while MMC would want
to make their maiden appearance in the League memorable. MMC's victory
will also rekindle interest in the once hockey-mad State.
Yesterday, Olak team manager Joseph de Silva down-played Syayrim's
absence.
"Sure, Syayrim's loss is a blow to us but then, we are not a one-man
side. We have beaten them (MMC) on their turf and we can do it again,"
said a confident de Silva.
In the preliminaries, Olak beat MMC 5-3 in a highly charged match and
provided ample evidence that they possess firepower in every department
when five individual players scored the goals. Syayrim was one of them.
MMC on the other hand, are a hardworking side but have the annoying
tendency of muffing the easiest of chances. But they have no problems
scoring from impossible angles.
In what is expected to be an evenly contested tie, JSC will take on
Electrical Switchgears Automation in the third placing match.
Today - 3rd-4th placing: JSC v ESA (3.30); Final: Olak V MMC (5.30) -
both at Tun Razak Stadium.
(END)