BSN must buck uo

13/06/2003

OVERALL champions Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) wasted valuable training
time when they were given the run-around last weekend by an ill-prepared
Johor Baru Municipal Council.
But BSN coach C. Paramalingam said this should not be used as an excuse
when they meet Royal Malay Regiment (RMR) today at the Tun Razak Stadium.
"Yes, we were deprived of training and a match last weekend as we
travelled to Johor on Saturday hoping to train until Sunday and play Johor
Municipal Council the next day. But the water pump at the MBJB Stadium was
faulty, and the players lost some valuable time.
"But that is no excuse for them not to give their best againt the Army
men tomorrow (today)," said Paramalingam.
RMR are the disappointment of this season as, even with their Hong Kong
import Arif Ali, they are languishing among the bottom teams after four
straight defeats.
Admittedly, RMR were drawn against the big guns early - Ernst & Young,
Tenaga Nasional and Maybank - but their true colours was exposed when they
went down to the Royal Malaysian Customs.
"It is crucial that we win this weekend, but it will not be easy as the
RMR players are very fit and fast, and Sunday's match will be against
Maybank, who are at the top of the table," said Paramalingam.
But going by form, BSN should have no problems collecting six points
this weekend and move a notch up the standings.
Maybank will further consolidate their position as they meet Ipoh City
Hall today and are favoured to But the Bankers will have to contend with
second-placed Sapura taking the lead as Sapura have two easy matches this
weekend - against Navy Dolphins and Pahang Sports Council - which should
give them 16 points from six matches.
Leading goalscorers: 13 Len Aiyappa (Ernst & Young); 6 S. Kuhan
(Sapura); 5 Kang Keon-wook (Sapura), Syayrim Uda Karim (Tenaga); 4 Arif
Ali (RMR), Nishel Kumar (Tenaga).
Today: Bank Simpanan Nasional v Royal Malay Regiment (Tun Razak Stadium,
5.15pm); Srii Aroma v Johor Baru MC (Bertam Stadium, 5.15pm); Navy
Dolphins v Sapura (Azlan Shah Stadium, 6pm); Ipoh City Hall v Maybank
(Azlan Shah Stadium, 8pm).
Tomorrow: Customs v Tenaga Nasional (Pandamaran Stadium, 5.15pm); Ernst
& Young v Pahang Sports Council (Pantai Stadium, 5.15pm); Navy Dolphins v
Ipoh City Hall (Azlan Shah Stadium, 8pm).
Sunday: Maybank v Bank Simpanan Nasional (Tun Razak Stadium, 6pm); Ernst
& Young v Johor Baru MC (Pantai Stadium, 6pm); Royal Malay Regiment v Srii
Aroma (Tun Razak Stadium, 8pm); Sapura v Pahang Sports Council (Pantai
Stadium, 8pm).
(END)