Maybank edge closer

08/06/2003

Srii Aroma ......2 Dolphins .......1
Maybank .........4 RMR .................2
MAYBANK edged closer to the quarter-finals of the Malaysia Hockey League
when they beat Royal Malay Regiment (RMR) 4-2 at the Tun Razak Stadium
yesterday.
It was the Bankers' third straight win, and they are expected to collect
another three points against Customs today to consolidate their position.
Maybank started with a field goal in the ninth minute from Suhairi Saidi
and were two-up in the 27th minute when national defender K. Gobinathan
slammed home a penalty corner goal.
And one minute from the breather, Suhairi gave the bankers a good
cushion with a penalty corner goal.
Maybank pulled further ahead in the 46th minute when Riduan Nasir scored
but Army refused to retreat and produced a gallant fightback instead.
Supri Mat Junoh (53rd) and their Hong Kong import Arif Ali (60th)
narrowed the gap, but Army ran out of time and succumbed to their fourth
consecutive defeat.
Maybank coach Wallace Tan was ready for the second half comeback.
"RMR players always come back strongly in the second half. I noticed
this in all three of their previous matches. My men knew that they had to
score early goals for the three points, and played to the game plan," said
Tan.
At the Bertam Hockey Stadium in Penang, Srii Aroma finally broke their
losing streak by beating Navy Dolphins. Arvin Kumar (13th) and S. Vengades
(38th) nailed Navy while Hazanizam Azizan (56th) narrowed the gap.
Today, fireworks are expected at the Kuala Lumpur HA Stadium when Tenaga
play Ernst & Young.
Ernst & Young, top of the table with nine points, are the ones to beat
for any League title aspirants. Tenaga, an all-local outfit, will find the
going tough because Ernst & Young's Indian Import Len Aiyappa has been in
terrific form - scoring 13 penalty corner goals in three matches.
But Tenaga, with the experienced Nor Saiful Zaini in their side, have
enough depth to rattle their highly touted opponents.
Tenaga coach K. Rajan, who rested some key players in the match against
RMR on Friday to prepare for the clash against Ernst & Young, knows very
well that if his players do not give away too many penalty corners, half
the battle would already be won.
Today: Maybank v Customs (Tun Razak Stadium, 5.15), Sapura v Ipoh City
Hall (Pantai Stadium, 6.0), Tenaga v Ernst & Young (Pantai Stadium, 8.0),
Johor Baru MC v Pahang SC (JB Stadium, 5.15).
Tomorrow: Johor Baru MC v BSN (JB Stadium, 5.15).
(END)