No surprises expected in semis

28/08/2003

THE Malaysia Hockey League quarter-finals begin this weekend and it looks
like the top four teams in the League should make the semi-finals.
League champions Tenaga Nasional have the easiest outing. They take on
eighth-placed Pahang Sports Council tomorrow and a win looks imminent. The
return leg on Sunday should be a formality.
The only team from the bottom half of the table likely to put on a fight
is is Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN).
BSN meet Ernst & Young and the clash is expected to be the match of the
weekend as there is a hint of revenge involved. BSN beat Ernst & Young 1-0
for the Overall title last season, but this year, only one of the two will
advance to the last four.
In the League, BSN and Ernst & Young drew 1-1, so little separates the
two teams even though one finished third and the other sixth in the League
standings.
Tenaga are serious about winning the Overall title this year as they
have always faltered at this stage. To make sure they reach the final this
year, they went to Malacca looking for a fresh angle.
Sapura are also expected to have an easy time against Royal Malay
Regiment.
But Maybank will have to play their best against Royal Malaysian Customs
because the newcomers have some wily veterans in their side, and are
dangerous in the second half.
FIXTURES - Tomorrow (1st leg): Pahang SC v Tenaga Nasional (Tun Razak
Stadium, 6pm); Bank Simpanan Nasional v Ernst & Young (Tun Razak Stadium,
8pm); Sapura v Royal Malay Regiment (KL Stadium, 8pm); Royal Malaysian
Customs v Maybank (Pandamaran Stadium, 5.15pm).
Sunday (2nd leg): Maybank v Royal Malaysian Customs (Tun Razak Stadium,
6pm); Royal Malay Regiment v Sapura (Tun Razak Stadium, 8pm); Tenaga
Nasional v Pahang SC (KL Stadium, 8pm); Ernst & Young v Bank Simpanan
Nasional (KL Stadium, 8pm).
(END)