Telekom short of players for semis

02/05/2003

OVERALL defending champions Telekom Pahang started the season with only 16
players and still managed to reach the semi-finals of the MHF-Milo-
Admiral-NSC Junior Hockey League.
But they suffered a double blow recently which could put their title
defence in jeopardy.
Playmaker Zulkifli Abdullah has picked up demerit points and is out of
the semi-finals, while B. Raj Kumar cannot be contacted which leaves
Telekom Pahang with only 14 players for the semi-finals against Tenaga
Nasional today.
"We could only register 16 players because four of our key players
received national call-ups and were barred from the JHL. But my players
still gave their best and we reached the semi-finals," said Pahang Telekom
coach Izwan Suhardi.
"But now I am in limbo because Zulkifli is suspended while Raj Kumar
opted out three matches ago saying that he had to concentrate on his
studies and we can't get in touch with him."
But Izwan has not given up hope on Raj Kumar, who is from Ipoh, because
not only is his team depleted, but three of his key players are carrying
injuries.
"Zulkifli Rejab, Zarit Zainal and Norhisham Shaari are all injured and
need to be rested periodically. That is why the presence of Raj Kumar can
help matters a little," said Izwan.
Earlier in the League, Pahang and Tenaga drew 1-1 at the Kuantan
Stadium, and now that the first leg will be held at Tenaga's den, Izwan is
naturally worried.
"Although we are the defending champions, I feel that we will be going
in as the underdogs against Tenaga because they have very swift forwards
in Abbas (Nekmat), (S.) Selvaraju and Kelvinder (Singh). The trio are very
dangerous in counter-attacks, and that is why I will not open up too much
like we did against Terengganu in the first leg of the quarter-finals,"
said Izwan.
(END)