Kuhan ruled out of Pakistan Tests

13/01/2002

S. KUHAN (pic) has been ruled out of the two Test matches against Pakistan
on Tuesday and Wednesday because, as predicted, he has injured his
hamsting and will need to rest for a few days.
Yesterday, the penalty corner specialist underwent an MRI scan at the
Universiti Malaya Medical Clinic and the results confirmed that he had
strained his hamstring during training.
"We will definately not field him for the two Test matches against
Pakistan because we want to give him some time to recover for the Six-
Nation.
"Right now, whether he will play in the Six-Nation is also in the
balance and it all depends on Kuhan's rate of recovery in the next few
days," said national team manager Datuk R. Yogeswaran yesterday.
With the absence of Kuhan, there will be a gaping hole in the midfield
section because he was just begining to fill the position and looked very
comfortable in that role during the Champions Challenge.
Chua Boon Huat, Maninderjit Singh and Jiwa Mohan will now be relied upon
for the penalty corner goals.
"With the World Cup so close, we will not take any unnecessary risks
with such a valuable asset. Even if there is a slight doubt after Monday's
second test on Kuhan, we will not risk him for the Six-Nation," said
Yogeswaran.
On Monday, National Sports Institute director Dr Ramlan Aziz will do
another test on Kuhan and in the evening he will join the trainees at the
National Hockey Stadium for some light jogging as sprinting is definately
out of the question.
But with Kuhan, one can never tell because his determination and undying
attitude towards hockey might do the trick and don't be surprised if he
plays in the Six-Nation.
In the Sydney 2000 Olympics, five minutes from the end against Holland,
the ball crashed into Kuhan's lips and the defender was motionless on the
pitch for a good 20 seconds before the medics reached him.
And when the team doctor raised his hands to call for a stretcher, the
television footage showed the doctor's upraised palm dripping with blood
from Kuhan's torn lips.
Kuhan's upper lips received stitches and his teeth were saved by the
mouth guard, which was only handed to him a day before the match. From
then on he was a doubtful starter in the Olympics as the injury was
reported to be quite serious but Kuhan surprised all with his comeback a
few days later.
So, Kuhan is down, but still not out.
(END)