BSN start campaign with a bang

30/03/2002

BANK Simpanan Nasional (BSN) started their quest for a Malaysian Hockey
League (MHL) double with a bang when they beat Bumiputra-Commerce Bank
(BCB) 3-0 at the Tun Razak Stadium last night.
The score was only for the first half as the second half was rained off.
It started with a slight drizzle and then the clouds opened and lit up the
sky with stunning display of lightning.
Technical official Khairuddin Zainal, BSN coach C. Paramalingam and BCB
coach Colin sta Maria agreed to call off the match and the score stood as
the final result.
"The rain was still ok, but the lightning was too dangerous so we called
off the match," said Khairuddin.
In a way it was good, for BCB actually, that the match was stopped
because they were heading for a hammering in the lop-sided match.
The handful of spectators that turned out almost went to sleep as BSN
camped in the BCB semicircle for long periods but could only break the
duct in the seventh minute when national player Rodhanizam Radzi lifted
the ball into goal.
After receiving the pass at the left of the semicircle, Rodhanizam
looked up and saw BCB goalkeeper Sarabjit Singh off his position and
lifted the ball which went sailing over the goalkeeper and into goal.
BSN attacked in numbers and in the 10th minute, Faizal Daud scored a
field goal and BCB were in deep trouble.
But after a concerted effort, BSN became complacent and allowed BCB back
into the match. BCB had four penalty corners but poor stopping and lack of
co-ordination was their bane.
And in the 32nd minute, Rodhanizam increased the lead after connecting
in a Mohamed Amin Rahim penalty corner.
BSN coach Paramalingam was more than happy with the three points.
"It does not matter that we could not play the second half because of
rain, the only thing that matters is the three points," said Paramalingam.
BSN had an easy win eventhough their Pakistan players Sohail Abbas and
Kashif Jawad have yet to arrive.
"I have sent them an open ticket and they assured me that they will be
around for the next weekend matches," said Paramalingam.
When the Pakistan duo arrive, BSN will be difficult to beat and they
look sure for a double this season.
In the other match of the day, Jolly Lads Sports Club were thrashed 6-0
by contenders Anderson Sports Club.
The goals were scored by S. Shanker (68th), Mirnawan Nawawi (13th,
17th), Dhanraj Pillay (26th), Len Ayappa (29th, 33rd).
It looks like Anderson's foreign players Dhanraj and Len Ayappa are the
only ones capable of giving BSN a strong fight for their double quest.
Today: Sapura v Tenaga Nasional (Bukit Jalil, 5.30pm), Navy v Bank
Simpanan Nasional (Tun Razak Stadium, 5.30pm).
Tomorrow: Bumiputra-Commerce Bank v Anderson Sports Club (KL Hockey
Stadium, 6pm), Jolly Lads Sports Club v Maybank (6pm), Armed Forces v
Sapura (Tun Razak Stadium, 8pm), Tenaga Nasional v Navy (KL Hockey
Stadium, 8pm).
jugjet@nstp.com.my
(END)