You Maybank on Wallace

MAYBANK started slowly in the League, but have progressed into a ‘difficult’ side in the TNB-Malaysia Hockey League.
The Tigers will be playing favourites Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) in the first leg of the semi-finals tomorrow, and taking them for granted would be a big mistake.
The other semi-finals is between Sapura and Tenaga Nasional, with the former playing without their suspended skipper S. Kuhan in the first leg.
Maybank, who rely on counter attacks for goals, played to a narrow 2-3 defeat to the Charity Shield and League holders in the League match.
“We know that it would be disastrous to take Maybank lightly, as they gave us quite a scare in the League and are capable of unleashing counter-attacks when least expected.
“That is their strength, and we need to be extra careful not to give their speedy strikers space to do the damage,” was KLHC coach R. Vivekanandan’s frank view.
KLHC skipper Azlan Misron has his own personal reason to beat Maybank in both legs and play in the final.
He just completed his ‘akad-nikah’ on Sunday, and his ’bersanding’ ceremony will be held one day before the TNB Cup final.
“I hope to rally my men to beat Maybank and play in the final, as a personal wedding gift. It would be a wonderful moment for my me if I achieve my target,” said the national player.
Maybank coach Wallace Tan admitted his charges will be going in as the underdogs against a team which has nine national players.
“KLHC is simply too strong and it would be a difficult match, but having said that, we will not give up until the final whistle of both legs.
“We have been relying on counter-attacks in previous matches, but we need more than that if we want to upset an unbeaten KLHC,” said Wallace.
KLHC are the only unbeaten side this season, and if any team has the capabilities to change that, it would have to be Maybank.
As for Kuhan, who received a red card when playing against Nur Insafi in the first leg of the quarter-finals where his team lost 2-1, he has been suspended for two matches.
He did not play in the return leg against Nur Insafi, but still, Sapura pulled off a 2-0 win and advanced into the semis.
The former national skipper will sit our the first semis against Tenaga, and will be back for the second leg.
WEDNESDAY: Semi-finals (first leg): Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club v Maybank (National Stadium, Pitch II 6pm); Sapura v Tenaga Nasional (National Stadium, Pitch II 8pm).
FRIDAY: Semi-finals (second leg): Tenaga Nasional v Sapura (National Stadium, Pitch II 6pm); Maybank v Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (National Stadium, Pitch II 8pm).

Sapura need to buck up, quick

By Ajitpal Singh

LAST year's finalists Sapura have hit a bad patch, and this coming at the wrong time in the TNB Cup.
Sapura made life difficult for themselves with mediocre performances against Nur Insafi in both the quarter-final legs but they still had enough firepower to edge the Penang side 3-2 on aggregate.
Coach I. Vikneswaran must now work on improving his team ahead of the first leg semi-final against Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) on Wednesday.
"Our performances in both legs of the quarter-finals were collectively our worst performance in the league. We did not produce our true ability. It has come at the wrong time... we need to find solutions," said Vikneswaran.
"The league is tough and some of my players, especially the older ones who have minor injuries, are finding it tough to recover after each match."
Among Sapura's injured players are national player Azreen Rizal Nasir, who has missed six matches due to a hamstring tear and Craig Joseph Fernandez.
Sapura were also without former international S. Kuhan in their 2-0 second leg win over Nur Insafi as he was suspended for a red card in the first leg.
Vikneswaran hopes Kuhan will not be penalised further as he needs the penalty corner specialist for Wednesday's semi-final first leg match.
"Kuhan has served a mandatory one-match suspension but he could be suspended for a few more matches."
MHF technical committee chairman Hashim Mohd Yusoff said his committee will decide on Kuhan's fate today.
On the semi-finals, Vikneswaran said TNB hold a slight edge over his team.
"We lost 2-0 to them in the league but of course it is a different ball-game in the semi-finals, but from our performance in the quarters, TNB hold advantage.
"My mission is to get my players play good hockey once again. I am confident they will get their act together in the semi-finals," he added.
The other semi-final pits defending champions Kuala Lumpur HC against former champions Maybank.

Kelly Tan has youth on her side

MALAYSIAN Kelly Tan was given the honour of sitting together with prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia champion Choi Na Yeon during the prize giving ceremony at the KLGCC.
The fact that Kelly finished tied 65th in a field of 72 was lost in the jubilation, as the 17-year-old amateur was the best Malaysian, and even outdid two local professionals when she returned 13-over 297.
The promising youngster had rounds of 77-73-74 and 73 and stood tall among the illustrious LPGA field.
“First of all, I would like to congratulate Sime Darby for hosting such a magnificent tournament which was broadcast live to many countries.
“Having said that, Malaysia are noted for being the best organisers in the world, but we have yet to show that we can win as well.
“Choi won because she has the skills and temperament to become a champion, which are also needed to win elections,” quipped the prime minister.
On Kelly the prime minister said: “I admire this youngster for finishing tops among Malaysian golfers, and hope one day when she is ready and turns professional, she will win the LPGA title for Malaysia.”
Second best local was also an amateur, Aretha Pan, on 14- over 298 to stand alone on No 67. Malaysian professionals Jean Chua was 21-over 305 for joint-69, while Ainil Johani ws 25-over 309 and joint-71.

Cool Korean Choi

SOUTH KOREAN Choi Na Yeon pocketed a cool US$285,000 when she lifted the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia crown on a 15-under 269 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club yesterday.
She returned a 68 in the final round, which saw five birdies on the sixth, eighth, 12th, 15th and 17th and a double bogey on the second.
In second place and US$176,791 richer was world No 1 Yani Tseng of Taiwan who ended 14-under 270, while Spaniard Azahara Munoz was third on a 12-under 272 total.
Choi, ranked No 4, had a nervous end-game, but kept her composure and temperament to avoid a play-off.
“I wasn’t nervous when I started but by the 15th, I was getting nervous when I heard Yani got two birdies (15th and 16th),
“The final four holes were quite rattling for me, but I still got the desired result and so it feels amazing holding the trophy,” said Choi.
The fact that she kept watching the leaderboard, and seeing Yani moving up steadily made her edgy.
“I keep watching the leaderboard today, and she’s (Yani) such an intimidating player, especially this year. I think she made me, like more nervous. But it’s a great experience really. I’m very happy what I got this week, and then next week I’m going to Taiwan, so hope to bring this momentum there too.”
She also attributed her composure to the tips given by her caddy Paul Fusco, who has been with her for more than two years.
“He has been my caddy for lmost 2 1/2 years. And I won my fifth title with him today (yesterday). I think we make good partners as he keeps encouraging me every time. When my caddie gave me number I just trust that number and hit the shot.
“The main thing is that I never gave up until the last hole. I feel I’m very proud of myself like how I control my emotions. I think that I had a great experience from this week, you know, and nobody can buy this experience.
As for Yani who started four shots adrift of the leader Choi yesterday but closed in steadily: “I played a great final round as I hit a lot of great shots. On the second hole, I hit into the water but I hit it so good . I don’t know. I know I’m going to be close but I didn’t know that close. So Na Yeon played great and she made a couple of birdies on the back nine. You know, it’s fun and I enjoy it, and I finished second this week, that means I still have space to improve next week (at home in Taiwan).
Choi and Yani traded places from last week, where Yani broke par and left the second spot to the Korean.
“Yeah, after that we still good friends and we were looking forward for another week to compete with like this week. We just switched places, last week I won and this week I’m second. So it was fun, fun to have a player like this that you can always compete with and be good friends with, too.”

Malaysia LPGA Final Round Scores

269 Choi Na Yeon (S Kor) 66-68-67-68.
270 Tseng Yani (Tai) 69-67-69-65.
272 Azahara Munoz (Sp) 67-68-68-69.
274 Pak Se-Ri (S Kor) 72-68-65-69.
275 Stacy Lewis (US) 68-65-72-70, Brittany Lang (US) 66- 67-69-73; 277 Angela Stanford (US) 71-71-68-67, Suzann Pettersen (Nor) 68-69-69-71; 278 Christel Boeljon (Ned) 68- 73-71-66, Feng Shanshan (Ch) 68-73-70-67, Amanda Blu menherst (US) 70-69-71-68, Paula Creamer (US) 71-67-69- 71.
279 Shin Jiyai (S Kor) 70-69-73-67, Kim In-Kyung (S Kor) 68-68-72-71; 280 Maria Hjorth (Swe) 66-76-71-67, Amy Yang (Kor) 69-69-74-68, Anna Nordqvist (Swe) 79-67-65- 69;
282 Chella Choi (S Kor) 74-70-68-70, Candie Kung (Tai) 70- 76-66-70, Melissa Reid (Eng) 72-71-68-71, Dewi Claire Schreefel (Ned) 66-68-76-72, Michelle Wie (US) 68-68-71- 75.
283 Mina Harigae (US) 74-70-71-68, Mika Miyazato (Jpn) 74-70-69-70, Jenny Shin (S Kor) 71-71-71- 70; 284 Christina Kim (US) 75-69-71-69, Katie Futcher (US) 69-70-75-70, Morgan Pressel (US) 71-71- 72-70, Kim Mi-hyun (S Kor) 72- 70-71-71, Natalie Gulbis (US) 71-71-70-72, Julieta Granada (Par) 70-71-71-72.
285 Yoo Sun Young (S Kor) 70-71-72-7, Catriona Matthew (Scot) 70-69-76-70, Ai Miyazato (Jpn), 72-68-72-73, Paige Mackenzie (US) 67-74-71-73, Caroline Hedwall (Swe) 72-70- 69-74, Sandra Gal (Ger) 72-70-67-76.
286 Momoko Ueda (Jpn) 71-72-71-72, Jennifer Song (US) 74-67-73-72, Meena Lee (S Kor) 74-70-73-69, Cristie Kerr (US) 72-72-75-67.
287 Brittany LINCICOME (US) 75-68-73-71, Karrie Webbb (Aus) 74-72-71-70, park Hee Young (S Kor) 74-71-73-69.
288 Frances Bondad (Aus) 70-73-71-74,
289 Eun-Hee Ji (S Kor) 72-69-72-76, Pornanong Phatlum (Thai) 73-74-69-73, Laura Davies (Eng) 74-72-72-71.
290 Karen Stupples (Eng) 74-73-73-70; 291 Wendy Ward (US) 77-68-71-75, Jimin Kang (S Kor) 69-72-75-75, Cindy Lacrosse (US) 74-71-72-74, Pat Hurst (US) 74-69-74-74.
292 Mindy Kim (US) 69-73-75-75, Amy Hung (Tai) 72-69- 76-75, Sophie Gustafson (Swe) 69-77-72-74.
293 Beatriz Recari (Sp) 73-73-75-72; 294 Kyeong Bae (S Kor) 75-76-70-73; 295 Vicky Hurst (US) 76-74-70-75, Kristy McPheerson (US) 73-78-71-73, Gerina Piller (US) 75-70-78- 72.
296 Porani Chutichai (Thai) 75-72-74-75, Juli Inkster (US) 76-75-75-70, Han Hee-Won (S Kor) 75-74-78-69.
297 Katherine Hull (Aus) 76-72-73-76, Kelly Tan [A] (Mas) 77-73-74-73.
298 Aretha Pan [A] (Mas) 75-76-74-73; 303 Tanaporn Kongkiatrai (Thai) 80-76-77-70; 305 Jean Chua (Mas) 76-78- 73-78, Ryann O’Toole (US) 82-75-74-74.
309 Ainil Johani (Mas) 76-80-77-76, Tiffany Joh (US) 80- 77-79-73-25.