Andersen poised for semis

26/07/2002

SMK Anderson have a good chance of beating MSS Kuala Lumpur today and edge
closer to the semifinals of the MHF-Milo-Admiral-NSC Junior League at the
Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh today.
MSSKL have been steadily improving in the JHL, but the odds favour
Anderson who have 16 points from seven matches and are trailing Group B
leaders Serdang Hockey Club by five points. A win against MSSKL will close
the gap to two points as Serdang are idle today and only play their
nemesis Telekom Pahang on Sunday.
Telekom Pahang are the only team in Group B who have a chance of beating
Serdang and the early indications are that after the Taiping District
match on Tuesday, Pahang will become joint leaders with Serdang - only
losing out on goals.
They then have a good chance of topping Group B when they meet Synergy
Hockey Club and finish their fixtures with a potentially explosive match
against SMK Anderson.
If coach Izwan Suhardi Selamat's plans go accordingly, they will top the
Group B standings when the preliminary round ends on Aug 4.
Izwan has watched all the Group A teams in action and he feels that
Tenaga Nasional Bhd must be avoided in the semifinals at all cost.
"I hope to avoid TNB until the final, and to do that the team must
finish top of Group B," said Izwan.
Pahang Telekom have chalked five straight wins and have two matches in
hand as opposed to Serdang who have played seven matches.
Izwan said that his team have a relatively easy run towards the tailend
of the preliminary round - other than the Sunday match against Serdang.
"We will be playing Serdang at the National Stadium and it will be the
toughest match for us. But my boys are ready to get past them, and avoid
Tenaga in the semis."
Today: Taiping Hockey Association v SMK Datuk Taha (Azlan Shah Stadium
I, 5pm); Johor Sports Council v Malaysia Sports School (MPJB Stadium,
5.15pm); Pahang Telekom v Seberang Prai Municipal Council (Kuantan Hockey
Stadium, 5.15pm); Terengganu Sports Council v Synergy Hockey Club (Kuala
Terengganu Stadium, 5.30pm); SMK Anderson v MSS Kuala Lumpur (Azlan Shah
Stadium II, 5.30pm).
Tomorrow: Krian Hockey Association v Armed Forces Apprentice Training
School (Azlan Shah Stadium II, 5pm); Sultan Abu Bakar College v Petaling
Jaya Municipal Council (MPJB Stadium, 5.15pm); Tenaga Nasional Bhd v Ipoh
City Council (Pantai Stadium, 5.30pm); Malay Mail v Yayasan Negri Sembilan
(Tun Razak Stadium, 5.30pm); Perak Malays v Olak-MPK (Azlan Shah Stadium
I, 5.30pm).
Sunday: Synergy Hockey Club v Johor Sports Council (Pandamaran Stadium,
5.30pm); Serdang Hockey Club v Pahang Telekom (National Hockey Stadium,
5.30pm); SMK datuk Taha v Malaysia Sports School (Bukit Serindit Stadium,
5.30pm); MSS Kuala Lumpur v Seberang Prai Municipal council (Tun Razak
Stadium, 5.30pm); Terengganu Sports Council v Taiping Hockey Association
(Kuala Terengganu Stadium, 5.30pm).
Tuesday: Telekom Pahang v Taiping Hockey Association (5.15pm, Kuantan
Hockey Stadium).
(END)