Arul double steers Sapura to victory

21/04/2002

JOLLY LADS......6 NAVY ...... 1
SAPURA .........2 MAYBANK ....1
SAPURA struggled in the second half but Maybank failed to capitalise on
the situation and went down 1-2 in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) at the
National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
Sapura controlled the first half and scored both their goals, taking
advantage of Maybank's No 1 goalkeeper Paul Lopez who was rested briefly
yesterday after coming down with fever. In his absence, Hairul Nizam stood
between the posts and his inexperience showed as he fumbled a couple of
times.
Arul Selvaraj gave Sapura the lead in the 22nd minute off a penalty
corner.
Four minutes later, a costly fumble by Hairul saw Maybank giving away a
penalty stroke and Arul was on spot again.
Down 2-0, Maybank were forced to field Lopez and it paid off as he kept
a clean slate until the final whistle.
In the second half, Sapura slowed down the tempo of the match and
Maybank made good use it by going on the offensive. They won a total of
eight penalty corners but goalkeeper Nasihin Nubli as well as defender S.
Kuhan were there to put those chances away.
In the final minute of the match, two-goal hero Arul turned villain when
he gave away a penalty stroke to Maybank for stopping the ball with his
foot.
Suhairi Saidi flicked home and the horn ended Maybank's search for an
equaliser.
"We started off the MHL on a bad note but have picked up steam since and
are now second on the standings," said Sapura manager Kenneth G. Pereira.
"My players have a better understanding right now and eventhough the
League is just in the middle stage, dreaming about making the semifinals
is not too far off."
Today, Sapura meet Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) at the Tun Razak Stadium
and the match can go either way.
"It will be a tough encounter but I am confident that my players can
deliver against BSN," said Pereira.
Maybank will meet high-riding Tenaga Nasional Bhd and it is highly
likely that the bankers will slip further to the bottom of the standings
after the match.
In another match yesterday, Jolly Lads Sports Club finally won their
first match of the MHL when they beat Navy 6-1.
Jolly Lads goals were scored by Kerpal Singh (10th, 15th), Chitti Babu
(28th), Aphtar Singh (38th), Daniel Kassim (45th) and Ho Kok On (58th)
while Navy's goal came through Mohamed Hazanizam (9th).
jugjet@nstp.com.my
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