Test for YNS foreign legion

By Ajitpal Singh

YAYASAN Negri Sembilan (YNS) are in for a torrid time when they face a confident looking Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) in a Premier Division match of the Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) at Pantai Stadium today.
YNS started their campaign impressively by overpowering Maybank 4-1 on Dec 18 before going down 2-1 to surprise package, Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL)-TRC on Friday.
The club, playing in their first season since 1999, hope to bounce back against KLHC, who are in a buoyant mood after hammering Sapura 6-2 in their last match.
YNS coach Hasnizam Al Sim said his boys need to play their best hockey to get the better of KLHC.
"They are one of the best sides in the Premier Division. It is going to be tough but we are prepared for the match," said Hasnizam yesterday.
YNS were without Pakistan signings -- Muhammad Imran, Muhammad Raashid and Muhammad Waqas Sharif when they lost to UniKL-TRC on Friday. The trio were representing their employers in the National Games in Pakistan.
Hasnizam said the three players are likely to return in time for the match against KLHC.
"Of course, our chances of a win would be bright if they play tomorrow (today)," he added.
Hasnizam was appointed as chief coach of YNS after India-born coach Madhu Karan failed to show up.
Meanwhile, ATM-Airod, who finished second in last year's Division One league, are likely to face defeat for the third successive time, when they play favourites Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) at the Tun Razak Stadium in Kuala Lumpur today.
ATM were hammered 7-2 by Sapura in their opening match on Dec 18, before losing 3-1 to Nur Insafi on Friday.
Coach K. Rajan said his team need to play consistent hockey to gain a desirable result today.
"We only played good hockey in the first half of our previous matches. Although, we dominated and led 1-0 against Nur Insafi, our defence cracked up in the second half," said Rajan.
"We need to learn to play hockey for 70 minutes. It is important that we do against a team like TNB as they have the ability to score many goals."
In other matches, Maybank, who drew 1-1 with TNB on Friday, face UiTM while Nur Insafi play Sapura.