BSN face hard task without Pakistan duo

05/04/2002

CHAMPIONS Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) face a stern test on Sunday when
take on Andersen Sports Club in the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL), and
since the bankers are still waiting for their Pakistani duo Sohail Abbas
and Kashif Jawad, they might finish the weekend in second spot.
Andersen Sports Club - despite having Indian World Cup players Dhanraj
Pillay and Len Ayappa, who between them, have notched 14 goals after two
matches, - have also let in two goals which indicates their backline is
not invincible.
On the other hand, BSN have scored 13 and have yet to let in any after
two matches.
Today, Anderson Sports Club are expected to have another easy match
against Maybank at the KL Hockey Stadium, Jalan Pantai, while BSN should
have a field day against Jolly Lads Sports Club tomorrow.
The all-important encounter between BSN and Anderson at the same venue
on Sunday will not only decide who tops the standings but could also serve
as a possible preview of the MHL final.
BSN imports Sohail Abbas, the joint top-scorer in the recent Kuala
Lumpur World Cup with 10 goals, and teammate Kashif Jawad have been given
an open ticket.
However, the duo have yet to report for duty because they have some
unfinished business back home. They are expected to arrive on April 10.
The Bankers will feel the absence of Sohail and Kashif on Sunday but
since Dhanraj has not been up to the mark for Andersen and their defence,
marshalled by Maninderjit Singh, has not been rock-solid, they still have
a 50-50 chance to remain at the top when the dust settles.
Dhanraj scored once each in both Andersen's matches against easy
opponents Jolly Lads Sports Club and Bumiputra-Commerce Bank.
As Dhanraj has yet to click with Mirnawan Nawawi and Kamal Affendy
upfront, this could spell trouble for Andersen.
Andersen's other import Ayappa, dropped at the 11th hour from the Indian
World Cup team, has active scoring goals. He converted four out of six
penalty corners so far.
Andersen are also wary of Maybank, powered by national trio Chairil
Anwar, Shaiful Azli and K. Gobinathan, who held them 3-3 in a pre-season
friendly.
jugjet@nstp.com.my
(END)