Ipoh, MSS hold the aces

09/08/2002

THE semi-final first leg of the MHF-Milo-Admiral-NSC Junior Hockey League
got off to a surprising start as favourites Tenaga Nasional Bhd and
Telekom Pahang crumbled under pressure.
And today, both teams have 70 minutes to reverse the situation, as at
this juncture, underdogs Ipoh City Council and Malaysia Sports School hold
the aces.
Tenaga were upset 2-1 by Malaysia Sports School while Telekom went down
2-3 to Ipoh on Wednesday but both the losing teams can make amends today.
At the Tun Razak Stadium tonight, all Malaysia Sports School need to do
is keep a cool head and coach V. Muraleedharan knows that very well.
"We have a slight edge over Tenaga tomorrow (today) but we will still be
going in as the underdog because Tenaga were not at their best yesterday
(Wednesday).
"So if the boys want to play in the final, they must keep a cool head
and the goals will come," said Muraleedharan.
Malaysia Sports School tore the Tenaga defence apart with a mesmerising
display led by Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin and today, his teammates will again
be banking on him to deliver.
If Malaysia Sports School's goalkeeper Ahmad Bazli, who palmed away two
penalty strokes on Wednesday, is at his best again, Tenaga will be in
trouble.
Tenaga coach K. Rajan said that he had a gut feeling that his team would
play miserably in one of the legs, and was relieved when his players chose
to do it in the first leg.
"To miss two penalty strokes in a match, is more than bad luck.
"But I am relieved it happened in the first leg because now we still
have a good chance of making a comeback," said Rajan.
Tenaga regular Jivan Mohan failed to click with `new' skipper K. Mono
Raj who was drained of ideas until the final 10 minutes when he gained
some confidence and Tenaga took control.
Mano, standing in for regular Tenaga skipper Azlan Misron who is in
Busan with the national team preparing for the South Korea Asian Games,
found the duties that come with the armband too heavy.
"The team lacked confidence in the first leg, but promised that they
will fight tooth-and-nail tomorrow (today) so I am confident we will reach
the final," added Rajan.
Tenaga not only have Malaysia Sports School to beat but also their
Junior League jinx.
Winning the League title has not been a problem for them over the last
three years but the overall title has always evaded them.
(END)