The Star Online: Sports
The Star Online: Sports |
- Sapura play mind games with defending champs
- Tenaga’s fiery forward can’t afford another green card
- Water skier Aaliyah making huge waves
| Sapura play mind games with defending champs Posted: 08 May 2013 03:52 PM PDT KUALA LUMPUR: Sapura are playing mind games with defending champions Kuala Lumpur Hockey Club (KLHC) in the semi-finals of the TNB Cup. Tomorrow is the first leg with the return leg on Sunday. Sapura coach Tai Beng Hai said they would start as underdogs against KLHC, who strolled to the Malaysia Hockey League (MHL) title with an unbeaten record. "We played KLHC twice in the league and on both occasions we lost 3-2 despite taking the lead in both matches. "I believe they stand a better chance of reaching the final as they've been playing consistently well. We only have a 40% chance of winning the match," said the former national coach. KLHC have qualified for the TNB Cup final for the last five years and emerged champions in 2008, 2010, 2011 and last year. Beng Hai said his players cannot play an open game like they did in the league. "In both matches, we took the lead but we just could not maintain the pace because KLHC were just too good. "They have world class players like midfielder Waseem Ahmed of Pakistan and defender Razie (Abdul Rahim). We also cannot afford to make mistakes as they have dangerous forwards," said Beng Hai. Sapura, who finished third in the league, were the overall champions in 2005 and 2006. They finished joint third with Maybank last season. KLHC coach K. Dharmaraj, however, is not taking Sapura for granted. "They are the most unpredictable team in the league. They came close to beating us twice in the league," said Dharmaraj. "They are dangerous in their counter attacks. They are a well disciplined team and are capable of beating us. "We also have to watch out for their Pakistani player Khasif Ali as he has been scoring regularly from penalty corners," said Dharmaraj, who has been coaching KLHC since 2001. |
| Tenaga’s fiery forward can’t afford another green card Posted: 08 May 2013 05:05 PM PDT KUALA LUMPUR: Tenaga Nasional forward Mohd Firhan Ashaari is walking a tightrope in the first leg of the TNB Cup semi-finals against Maybank at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil tomorrow. The Terengganu-born player is on the verge of suspension as he has collected six demerit points – one yellow and one green card – in the quarter-finals first-leg match against Terengganu last week. If Firhan gets another green card tomorrow, he will miss the return leg on Sunday. A player is suspended for one match if he accumulates eight demerit points. The 20-year-old Firhan, who has been called up for national team training for the World League semi-finals in Johor Baru in June, said that he must learn to keep his temper in check, especially against Maybank tomorrow. "I received a green card and then a yellow card for clashing with Terengganu defender Azlan (Misron) in the quarter-final first-leg match. "Now, I cannot afford to make a mistake on Friday or I will miss the crucial second-leg match," said Firhan, who is playing in his third season for Tenaga in the Malaysia Hockey League. "My team need my services as I am one of the main forwards. However, I am not too pleased with my performance in the MHL. "I have played in 14 matches but only managed to score six goals. It is not good for my standard as a national player. "When I started the season, my mission was to score in every match. But I've failed to live up to my goal," said Firhan, who will feature in the Junior World Cup in Chandigarh, India, in December. Firhan added that Maybank would be a tough side to beat. "They have four Pakistan imports – Shakeel Abassi, Muhammad Waqas, Muhammad Imran and Shafqat Rasool. "They are a strong side." In the league, Tenaga outplayed Maybank 5-1 in the first match. But in the second match, the Tigers emerged 4-3 winners. "It will be touch and go. I believe the return leg will be crucial to decide which team reach the final," said Firhan. Besides Firhan, Tenaga defender Mohd Madzli Ikmar Mohd Nor is also on the verge of suspension as he has collected four demerit points. |
| Water skier Aaliyah making huge waves Posted: 08 May 2013 05:11 PM PDT PETALING JAYA: Water skier Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah is making waves in the world rankings. The nine-year-old has moved up 30 rungs to No. 70 after posting a personal best score of 4,740 points in the women's Open tricks at last weekend's IWWF Waterski World Cup in Palembang, Indonesia. The SEA Games gold medallist also moved up to 18th in the world rankings for the girls' Under-17 tricks. She was previously ranked No. 29. Hanifah Yoong, Aaliyah's father and coach, believes she is now on track to be one of the best skiers in the world. "This augurs well for her bid to become one of the best skiers in the world before she is 15. Her main target this year is the Asian Championship in Palembang. "As for next year, Aaliyah will focus on getting a top five, if not a podium, in the Junior World Championships for Under-17 skiers in Ukraine," he said. Aaliyah's next assignment is the Malaysian Nationals Waterski and Wakeboard Championships in Putrajaya from May 25-26. After that, she will go for a training stint in France and Austria at the end of June. While over there, Aaliyah will compete in the Meuzac Cup in France and the Fischlham Cup in Austria. |
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