Depleted BSN unfazed

02/04/2003

BANK Simpanan Nasional created history when they won the Malaysia Hockey
League (MHL) title for an unprecedented third time last season, but this
year, they will be fielding a severely depleted squad.
Pakistan aces Sohail Abbas and Kashif Jawad, and four Malaysian
stalwarts - Roslan Jamaludin, Amin Rahim, P. Prabahkaran and Lee Sien Lam
- have opted to play for other teams this year.
But BSN veteran coach C. Paramalingam is not worried. Instead, he feels
this will be his chance to expose young players from the end of May till
August.
"Sohail and Kashif said they are committed to their national team who
will be playing in the Champions Challenge and Asia Cup this year. I have
also lost a few experienced players but I am not worried because I will
use this chance to expose young players," said Paramalingam.
The hat-trick, unprecedented since the inception of the MHL, was
achieved when they defeated Andersen Sports Club 1-0 in a closely fought
final at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Then, they had to thank their goalkeeper Roslan who played like a man
possessed, repelling everything that Andersen Indian imports Len Aiyappa
and Dhanaraj Pilay could muster.
Sohail, who played a major part in taking BSN to the final, scored the
solitary goal off BSN's sixth penalty corner.
"I have been talking with up-and-coming players Megat Azrafiq, Ismail
Abu and a goalkeeper (he did not reveal the name) to fill the vacuum left
by the exodus. I am confident BSN will be able to put up a good display
this year too, because I will hire young players who are eager to make a
name for themselves, and both BSN and hockey will win in the end," said
Paramalingam.
BSN have not given up on foreign players and are still in the hunt for
two to beef up their squad.
"I tried to get Jorge Lombi (the Argentine penalty corner specialist)
but he too had domestic commitments. But the hunt is not over yet, we are
still looking for two strong imports," said Paramalingam.
Dhanraj and Aiyappa are also not expected to be down for the MHL,
because they are said to be committed to their domestic training and
tournaments.
(END)