Olak await true test

11/02/2003

OLD La Sallians Association of Klang (Olak-MPK) got off to a rousing start
in Division One of the MHF-Milo-Admiral-NSC Junior Hockey League last
weekend, but it is still too early for them to get comfortable.
Team manager Joseph de Silva is feeling a little uncomfortable with the
spotlight shining on them so early in the season.
"The wins against Anderson Xybase and Srii Aroma PISC were excellent
starts for Olak, but we have a tough match this weekend and might find the
going difficult," said de Silva.
Olak-MPK travel to Kuantan where Telekom Pahang will start as the
overwhelming favourites, hence, the pressure will not be on Olak. The
match will determine the true strength of Olak-MPK.
Olak were the overall champions four times from 1997-2000 and won the
double in 1998 and 1999. However, due to financial constraints they had to
team up with Klang Municipal Council last year and so they cannot be taken
lightly even though their team does not contain any national players.
"Almost all of the Olak players will be available for the next two
seasons so this year we are not too worried about results," said de Silva.
When Selangor exposed 10 Olak-MPK players in the recent Under-21
tournament, there were raised eyebrows and Selangor did not fare well, but
grew in strength by the day.
"Selangor's opening Under-21 match was against Penang and we lost, but
in the classification when we met again, we beat Penang and so I was quite
confident of beating Srii Aroma of Penang in the JHL after exposing my
boys at the Under-21 tournament," said de Silva.
After one weekend of the JHL, Malaysia Sports School (MSS) and Telekom
Pahang have emerged as strong contenders for honours in Division One and
the disappointing team was Tenaga Nasional Bhd.
Tenaga, with a strong reputation and the right coffers to buy the best
players, were the least impressive when they went down 1-2 to MSS.
The consensus was that the Tenaga team this year lacked capable strikers
and will find the going tough.
In Division Two, Malacca Municipal Council (MMC) kept their word and
started their title hunt by punishing Synergy Hockey Club 6-0.
"I have the players to win the Division Two title this season. That is
our first step, once we are in the quarterfinals, I will re-assess the
situation," said MMC coach Eugene Lee.
The only player which has shown some potential in the early stages of
the JHL is MSS forward Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin, who has had international
exposure.
The Perlis-born lad has a good sense of positioning and has the strength
and speed to take on defenders, eventhough he has a tiny frame for a 17-
year-old.
Tengku should mature into a better forward by the end of the JHL.
Overall, the level of hockey played over the weekend was not too
impressive and some of the matches could put one to sleep in the stiffling
afternoon heat, but the action is expected to pick-up midway in the JHL
when the pretenders fall by the sidelines.
(END)