TNB should be wary even at the top

18/04/2002

TENAGA Nasional Bhd are sitting pretty at the top of the Malaysia Hockey
League (MHL) standings after six matches, but it would be foolish to write
off four other teams so early in the League.
And among the four, Bank Simpanan Nasional are a strong favourite to
make the semifinals, although they are placed fifth on the standings after
last weekend's matches.
But beginning Friday, when they meet Armed Forces (RAMD), and Sunday
against Sapura, their fortunes could change for the better.
That is how their foreign imports Sohail Abbas, Kashif Jawad and coach
C. Paramalingam see it.
"We (Abbas and Kashif) arrived on Sunday morning and played a tough
match against Tenaga in the evening even before we could get familiar with
the playing pattern of the rest of our teammates. That is one of the
reasons why BSN lost to Tenaga," said Sohail who scored 10 goals in the
Kuala Lumpur World Cup.
And now that they have had two training sessions with the rest of the
BSN players, the Pakistan duo feel more at ease and are confident that the
coming weekend will be a better one.
Paramalingam was not willing to reveal the new position for Kashif, who
normally plays in midfield: "Wait and see, you will know on Friday when we
meet RAMD."
Sohail, who fumbled in the the penalty corners against Tenaga, took it
upon himself to train the pusher and stopper so that his penalty corners
would be more deadly.
And with the deadly combination of veteran MHL regular Lee Sien Lam and
I. Vikneswaran to guide the team, BSN should have no problems against RAMD
and if they can get their act together against Sapura on Sunday, BSN look
good enough the snatch the League title from the jaws of Tenaga.
jugjet@nstp.com.my
(END)