KL held 0-0 by Johor

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DEFENDING champions Kuala Lumpur were held to a scoreless draw by Johor in the Group A match of the Tun Razak Cup at the MPMBB Stadium in Bukit Serindit thus evening.
The result throws the group wide open as all four teams, KL, Johor, ATM and Penang can make the cut for the semis.
This us due to the fact that Armed Forces were held to a 2-2 draw by a fighting Penang side.
KL hold the edge as they have 4 points, the same as ATM while Johor and Penang have a point each.
Johor adopted a defensive strategy, having almost the entire team behind the ball for most part of the match.
But KL could not even find a way through via penalty corners despite having the nations two top strikers from that department in the likes of Mohd Amin Rahim and Mohd Razie.
And KL were guilty of being too hasty thus muffing several good build ups that fizzled in the last quarter of the pitch.

Goals order of the day

MALAYSIA will not only have to beat Egypt today but also go for goals if they want to play in the 9th-10th classification in the Junior World Cup.

On paper, Malaysia look the better side, but on the field, coach K. Rajan's team have been on a roller-coaster ride, and played well below their capabilities in the second round.

"They hit a bad patch against Poland, and I have a free day to work on them before playing Egypt. The African side have shown some progress, and even held Poland to a 1-1 draw," said Rajan.

"Which means we can't take them lightly, and will have to pile-up early goals to kill the match."

And even if Malaysia produce a stunning result against Egypt, they will have to rely on South Africa beating Poland, failing which, they will play in the 11th-12th bracket.
FIXTURES -- TODAY: Group E: Spain v Argentina (5.30pm, Johor), Netherlands v Germany (5.30pm, Singapore); Group F: South Korea v Pakistan (7.30pm, Johor), Australia v New Zealand (Singapore, 7.30pm); Group G: Belgium v Japan (5pm, Johor), India v England (5pm, Singapore); Group H: Malaysia v Egypt (9pm, Johor), South Africa v Poland (8.30am, Singapore); Group I: USA v Chile (7pm, Johor), Singapore v Russia (7pm, Singapore).

TOMORROW: Rest day.

Rajan: We'll prove a point to MSS

23/04/2003

TENAGA Nasional Bhd declared yesterday that they don't fear Malacca
Municipal Council, and will be on a double mission in the first leg
quarter-final of the MHF-Milo-Admiral-NSC Junior Hockey League at the
Kuala Lumpur HA Stadium on Friday.
Tenaga coach K. Rajan (pic below) said his boys have overcome the
`victim of circumstantial' disaster last weekend when they were pipped to
the Division One title by Malaysia Sports School.
And now, they hope to meet Malaysia SS in the final to decide who is the
better team.
"The boys have overcome last weekend's shock (when Malaysia SS scored
the right number of goals in their 12-0 rout of Johor Sports Council to
become the Division One champions) and we are looking forward to meeting
Malaysia SS in the final to prove who the real champions are," said Rajan.
"My boys are eager to enter the final and meet Malaysia SS to prove a
point. Last weekend's heartbreak has turned into the right tonic to lift
their game in the last eight challenge."
Rajan feels the only advantage Malacca MC have is their forwards have
had plenty of chances to sharpen their scoring skills.
"Malacca MC forwards scored 79 goals in 11 matches and that is good
practice. But on the other hand, their defenders were hardly tested
because they played weaker teams in Division Two," said Rajan.
The toughest hurdle for Malacca MC in Division Two were the Sports
School Juniors, and the match exposed chinks in their defence when they
were held to a 2-2 draw.
Tenaga have the advantage of playing tougher matches in Division One,
and that could be the deciding factor in their plan to reach the final.
"We played a friendly against Maybank yesterday (Monday) and the boys
showed that they are not disheartened because they were pipped to the
League title. I am sure they will give their best in the first leg at
their own turf so that we have a healthy cushion in the return leg in
Malacca," said Rajan.
Malacca MC coach Eugene Lee had planned to meet Malaysia SS in the
quarters, and now he will have to redraw his strategy.
"I seriously thought that Johor SC will give Malaysia SS a tough fight
and not allow tham to score 12 goals. My plans went up in smoke, and now I
am psyching my players to meet Tenaga instead," said Lee.
Lee declared that his two-prong target is stil intact.
"At the start of the JHL, I said that Malacca MC will lift the Division
Two title and then go for the Overall title.
"I have reached one and the second target is still within sight. I am
confident that my players have enough firepower to lift the overall title
as well," said Lee.
Fixtures: Quarter-finals 1st leg - Friday: Malaysia Sports School v
Sports School Juniors (Tun Razak Stadium, 5.15pm); Tenaga Nasional Bhd v
Malacca Municipal Council (KLHA Hockey Stadium, 5.15pm); Telekom Pahang v
Terengganu Schools Sports Council (Kuantan Stadium, 5.15pm); Petaling Jaya
Municipal Council v Anderson Xybase (National Hockey Stadium, 5.15pm).
(END)