MM soccer team gets boost from sponsors (The Malay Mail)

THE Sharp-Malay Mail soccer team receive an extra boost yesterday from
Sharp Roxy and Antioni, with their sponsorship of cash and wear.
    Sharp Roxy is sponsoring the team for the second season - $20,000
plus bonuses of up to $12,000 - if it wins the various tournaments played
while Antioni is giving away $20,000 worth of sports wear and bags.
    New Straits Times Press managing director Khalid Ahmad received a
mock cheque from Sharp Roxy's senior manager in the corporate public
relations and product productions promotions section, Encik Mohamad Salleh
Aziz, at Balai Berita yesterday.
    Antioni sales manager Elson Moey later gave a jersey to Malay Mail
editor Salehuddin Othaman as token.
    The Sharp-Malay Mail team emerged champions in the Kuala Lumpur
Dunhill League and runner-up in the Philippines Cup tournament in Manila
this year.
                              (END)

Hard road to glory

FILIPINA Lydia De Vega-Mercado would have been an also-ran today instead
of being sprint queen of South-East Asia if not for one month of solid
training.
To others, a month's training may seem insignificant. But to Lydia,
it made a world of difference.
On Saturday, Lydia, once the fastest woman in Asia found himself in
the unfamiliar position of having to upset favourite G. Shanti of
Malaysia.
The training was so crucial for Lydia that she could not even afford
to cut short by an hour. It was for this reason that she skipped the torch
handing ceremory in Kuala Lumpur last month because of a squabble with the
Philippines officials as reported.
Her 100m win has silanced critics who felt she was over the hill.
Above all she won the gold for Philippines in front of the packed Rizal
Memorial Stadium.
Lydia's father Francisco, who is also her coach, said: "It would have
been personal glory for Lydia to go for the torch handing ceremony.
"But winning the Sea Games gold is national pride. We have no regrets
in skipping the trip to Malaysia for the torch handing ceremony despite
some adverse comments."
Lydia said: "My condition was just satisfactory during the Singapore
Open and ATP in Kuala Lumpur.
"I was all along training to peak for the Sea Games. I am glad that I
achieved what I had set out to do."
Lydia said Shanti, who beat her at the ATF meet, was also distracted
by the presence of Elma.
"She (Shanti) paid more attention to Elma and this helped me.
"My lane position also helped. I was in lane seven while Ratjai
Sripet (Thailand) and Shanti were in two and three. With Elma in lane
four, they were watching her.
"This allowed me to run my own race and come from behind."
Shanti, who took the silver, said: "I was really concentrating on
Elma, who had a strong start, and the next thing I knew, Lydia came from
behind.
"Lydia ran well. She has really improved since the ATF."
Francisco, who was confident Lydia would beat Shanti, said: "With the
training Lydia had gone throught and looking at Shanti's style of running,
we were confident of taking her out.
"Shanti is powerful runner but she does not finish well because of
her awkward arm action."
Lydia will clash again with Shanti in the 200m tomorrow but she is
modest about her chances.
"I think Shanti will win this one because I am not a strong 200m
runner. My main aim was the 100m. If I win the 200m, it would be a bonus,"
said Lydia.
Shanti, determined to turn the tables on Lydia in the 200m said:
"After my defeat in the 100m, I am going flat".

Dinner for Filipino soccer players (The Malay Mail)

MEMBERS of the Philippines Sea Games soccer squad tuck into dinner hosted
by New Straits Times Sports Club president, Encik Khalid Hj Ahmad, at
Balai Berita last night.
    Also present was Kuala Lumpur coach Milous Kvacek (second from left)
and his wife, Elizabeth.
    The Philippines soccer team, led by Philppines Soccer Federation
secretary-general Edward Magalonna had earlier played a friendly match
against the Sharp-Malay Mail team at the Petronas Sports Complex in Bangi.
    Sharp-Malay Mail won 4-2.
    The Philipines team are on a 10-day training-cum-friendly matches
stint hosted by the FA of Malaysia.
    They return to Manila on Friday.
                                 (END)

Birthday boy Platt glad to be back (The Malay Mail)

ENGLAND midffelder David Platt will be celebrating his 25th birthday today
in Kuala Lumpur, but it is not the first time he will be celebrating his
birthday away from home, reports TONY MARIADASS.
   Platt arrived with the England team last night from New Zealand to
play their last match - against the Malaysian team - of their four-match
tour.
   They had earlier beaten Australia 1-0 and New Zealand 1-0 and 2-0.
   For Platt, who plays for Aston Villa, this is his second visit to
Kuala Lumpur in a month.
   Last month, Platt was here with the Aston Villa team, who played
Kuala Lumpur, and scored a goal in their 2-1 victory. Earlier, he had
played in Kuching against Sarawak.
   However, Platt did not stay back for the match against the national
team which Villa won 4-0 as he had to return to England to don national
colours against Russia.
   Platt said that he was happy to be back in Malaysia.
   "I had very good impressions of Malaysia when I was here last month
and I am glad that I am back again," said the friendly Platt.
   On his birthday today, Platt said that nothing special was being
organised.
   "I am so used to celebrating my birthday away from home and I really
do not make anything out of it.
   "The last time I celebrated my birthday away from home was in Italy
last year during the World Cup."
   On the match against Malaysia, Platt said that all the players,
including himself, are looking forward to it.
   "We really do not know who will be playing on Wednesday as the
manager (Graham Taylor) has still not decided on the lineup.
   "But it I am on the list, I definitely want to do well in fact, all
of us want to do well and keep our 11-match unbeaten record under Taylor
intact.
   "This match against Malaysia is of significance to us because this
will be the last match of this season. Thus, we want to end it on a
winning note after which we will be looking forward to the European
championships."
   * Meanwhile, David Platt was looking forward to working under the new
manager of Aston Villa, Ron Atkinson.
   "I had worked under Ron as a youth with Manchester United during the
1984/85 season," said Platt.
   "But I was just a youth player then and saw no first team action with
Manchester United.
   "However, I enjoved every minute under Ron and am looking forward to
working under him again as a first team member."
   On Josef Venglos resignation, Platt said that it was a difficult year
for the Czechoslovakian World Cup coach.
                                 (END)

Taiwan champs (The Malay Mail)

SHARP-MALAY MAIL held Taiwan to a scoreless draw for 120 minutes but bowed
out on a penalty shootout in the inaugural Philippines Cup final at Iloilo
City yesterday.
    The win for Taiwan was sweet revenge after having lost by a solitary
goal to Sharp-MM in the preliminary round.
    Sharp-MM deserved credit for putting up a determined fight despite
the 20,000 crowd rooting for Taiwan,
    They took the field without three key players - R. Subramaniam and
Daniel Sinnapan due to injuries and A.R. Chandrasegar who was serving a
one match suspension.
    Although Taiwan looked more dangerous, Sharp-MM did well to contain
them. In-form goalkeeper M. Pavalamani saved at least three sure goals.
    Despite the defeat, Sharp-MM gained another feather to their cap
after winning the 1991 KL Dunhill League title.
                             (END)

Newsmen book final berth (The Malay Mail)

SHARP-MALAY MAIL kept the Malaysian flag flying high in the Philippines
Cup tournament when they booked a place in the final by edging Chinese
Taipeh 1-0 at Bacalod City yesterday.
    Reserve U. Subramaniam, who stood in for the injured Daniel
Sinnappan, was the toast of Sharp-Malay Mail yesterday when he scored in
the 28th minute.
    It was an evenly contested match and Chinese Taipeh became more
aggressive after conceding the goal but the determined newspaper team
managed to hang on to register this win.
    "It was a hard-earned win because Chinese Taipeh were all over us in
the second half but credit must be given to our players who stood firm,"
said Sharp-MM team convenor Tony Mariadass.
    Sharp-Malay Mail will play either Brunei or Chinese Taipeh in the
final tomorrow. The two teams will play each other today to decide the
final berth.
                               (END)

Malay Mail crash to first defeat (The Malay Mail)

SHARP-MALAY MAIL suffered their first defeat when they went down 2-0 to
Brunei in a Philippines Cup invitation match at Bacolod City yesterday.
    The Malaysian representatives dominated the match but were hampered
by the poor ground condition and a bouncy ball.
    They also claimed the match officials were against them.
    Badrul Hisham Jalil found the net for Malay Mail in the 15th minute
but was disallowed for offside. However, the referee refused to
acknowledge that the attempt was actually a rebound off a shot by
Saifuddin Alias.
    Brunei scored their first goal off Pengiran Momin Ahmad in the 29th
minute. It seemed like he had handled the ball but the goal was allowed.
    In the second half, Malay Mail dominated again but were on the
receiving end when Brunei scored off a rare counter attack with Roslan
Samak beating goalkeeper S. Palavamani.
    With this win, Brunei are back in the running for a place in the
final after losing 2-1 in the opening match.
    Malaysia will now have to beat Chinese Taipeh in their last match in
Iloilo City tomorrow.
    The Philippines play Chinese Taipeh today. Yesterday's results have
thrown the tournament wide open. Indications are that the finalists will
be decided on Saturday.
                             (END)

Malay Mail looking sharp (The Malay Mail)

BACLOD CITY: Sharp Malay Mail striker Saifuddin Alias goal gave his team a
winning start in the Philippines Cup soccer tournament at the Taglaun
Sports Comlex Stadium when they beat the hosts 1-0 yesterday.
    The Phillipines, who needed a win to enhance their chances of
reaching the final, found the going tough against an equally determined
Malay Mail. Malaysia's representatives in the tournament.
    Malay Mail were in total control although the poor ground and a
bouncy ball did not suit them.
    For all their domination, Malay Mail deservingly scored in the 28th
minute through a thunderous shot by Saifuddin.
    Malay Mail take on Brunei tonight. A win will virtually put them in
the final on May 12.
                               (END)

Sharp-MM team off to Iloilo city (The Malay Mail)

ILOILO City, here we come - that's what members of the Kuala Lumpur
Dunhill League champions Sharp-Malay Mail football team (above) seemed to
be saying as they left Subang Airport yesterday morning to compete in the
Philippines Cup, which begins tomorrow.
 Sharp-MM open their campaign against the Philippines. Taiwan and
Brunei are also taking part.
 The top two teams after the round-robin league will play in the
final.
 On hand to see them off at the airport were Sharp-Roxy's corporate
Public Relations and Product Promotions manager Mohamad Salleh Aziz and
his executive, Mohamad Aref Mohamad Ali.
 Sharp-MM will be led by skipper R. Subramaniam with KL Semi-pro
players Nazim Din, Tommy Chong Kok Min, Badrul Isham Jalil, R.
Ramachandran and Badrulsham Ahmad.
 Despite travelling without their three other Semi-Pro players - K.
Kanan, See Kim Seng and S. Tamilarasan - Sharp-MM will play with the
reputation of earning a 1-1 draw with the Philippines Olympic team during
a tour last month.
                          (END)

Sharp-MM to compete in Manila Cup (The Malay Mail)

SHARP-MALAY MAIL, the 1991 Kuala Lumpur FA Dunhill League champions, will play in the inaugural Philippines Cup on May 6-12 in Iloilo City. Sharp-MM were invited by the Philippines Football Federation (PFF) after seeing them in action last month in Manila. They drew 1-1 with the Philippines Olympic team and lost to the Philippines national team 1-0. Sharp Roxy, who sponsor Malay Mail in the Dunhill League, will sponsor their airfare to the Philippines. The other competing teams are from Taiwan, Brunei and the Philippines. The teams will play a one-round league with the champions and runners-up meeting in the final. Sharp-MM have included KL Semi-pro squad players Nazim Din, Tommy Chong Kok Min, Badrul Isham Jalil, R. Ramachandran and Badrulsham Ahmad for the tournament. However, they will miss striker K. Kannan and defender See Kim Seng who are involved in the Semi-pro League. They will also miss defender S. Tamilarasan who is playring for Malacca. Yesterday, Sharp-MM beat Klang Town Council 4-0 in a friendly at the Kota Raja Stadium in Klang. The team leaves tomorrow morning for the Philippines. Their opening match is against the Philippines.

Kana does his bit (The Malay Mail)

ANYONE passing Jalan Cheras opposite the JKR fields will not miss
Kanagarajah holding court every Saturday and Sunday between 4pm and 7pm.
   And both the KL and Selangor FAs have K.Kanagaraja to thank if they
get a steady stream of junior players from Cheras with polished skill and
technique.
   The 33-year-old former Selangor winger is doing what many former
State and internationals are not - coaching schoolchildren and for free.
   Four months ago, Kanagaraja, who hails from Cheras, decided to hold
coaching clinics for children staying around the 3rd mile at the JKR field
on weekends.
   From between 15 to 30 children, the groups has swelled to about 150
kids in just four months.
   "I didn't have the heart to turn anyone away, especially when they
came prepared with their gear and jerseys," said Kanagaraja.
   It is difficult coaching 150 kids at a time, but he copes, with
assistance from friends in the Pemuda Cheras team."
   Kanagaraja also coaches Pemuda Cheras who are in the Selangor Div 2.
   Last month he attended an eight-day preliminary coaching course
conducted by FAS/FAM and headed by N. Raju.
   "Coming from the same neighbourhood. I knew what a tough place it is
to grow up here. Without proper guidance, many children have gone the
wrong path and ruined their lives.
   "I wanted to do my bit to help them indulge in something healthy and
beneficial," said Kanagaraja. "The children of Cheras were keen on
playing soccer but had little or no guidance.
   "This was my chance to impart whatever I had learnt while playing for
Selangor for eight years," added Kanagaraja who lost played for the State
in 1985.
   News of the weekend clinics spread. Soon he had children from
Cochrane, Kampong Pandan, Jalan Shaw, San Peng, Bandar Tun Razak, Sungei
Besi and Jalan Peel.
   The kids' ages range from seven to 18. Many are eager to learn the
game and play better, but there are a good number who are talented and
will make good footballers.
   Kanagaraja divides the kids into several groups according to their
ages and skills. The older boys are made group leaders and carry on the
sessions while he attends to other groups.
   Kanagarajah is doing this for the love of the game and as his
contribution to the youth in the area.
   Kanagaraja may not have played for the nation, but he has earned the
respect of his charges. They affectionally call him `Abang' and give 100
percent attention.
   Kanagaraja could do with some assistance, in the form of more balls,
some cones and T-shirts. Presently, he only has 10 balls to work with.
   Eight are from his club Pemuda Cheras and two donated by well-wishers
Perumal and Periasamy of Cheras.
   FAS vice-president R. Ramalingam, who has heard of Kanagaraja's
efforts, has already asked him to collect five training balls from their
office.
   But more can be done to help Kanagaraja, so that the children who
turn up faithfully every weekend will realise their dreams of being a top
footballer one day.
                            (END)

Kana does his bit (The Malay Mail)

ANYONE passing Jalan Cheras opposite the JKR fields will not miss
Kanagarajah holding court every Saturday and Sunday between 4pm and 7pm.
  And both the KL and Selangor FAs have K.Kanagaraja to thank if they
get a steady stream of junior players from Cheras with polished skill and
technique.
  The 33-year-old former Selangor winger is doing what many former
State and internationals are not - coaching schoolchildren and for free.
  Four months ago, Kanagaraja, who hails from Cheras, decided to hold
coaching clinics for children staying around the 3rd mile at the JKR field
on weekends.
  From between 15 to 30 children, the groups has swelled to about 150
kids in just four months.
  "I didn't have the heart to turn anyone away, especially when they
came prepared with their gear and jerseys," said Kanagaraja.
  It is difficult coaching 150 kids at a time, but he copes, with
assistance from friends in the Pemuda Cheras team."
  Kanagaraja also coaches Pemuda Cheras who are in the Selangor Div 2.
  Last month he attended an eight-day preliminary coaching course
conducted by FAS/FAM and headed by N. Raju.
  "Coming from the same neighborhood. I knew what a tough place it is
to grow up here. Without proper guidance, many children have gone the
wrong path and ruined their lives.
  "I wanted to do my bit to help them indulge in something healthy and
beneficial," said Kanagaraja. "The children of Cheras were keen on
playing soccer but had little or no guidance.
  "This was my chance to impart whatever I had learnt while playing for
Selangor for eight years," added Kanagaraja who last played for the State
in 1985.
  News of the weekend clinics spread. Soon he had children from
Cochrane, Kampong Pandan, Jalan Shaw, San Peng, Bandar Tun Razak, Sungei
Besi and Jalan Peel.
  The kids' ages range from seven to 18. Many are eager to learn the
game and play better, but there are a good number who are talented and
will make good footballers.
  Kanagaraja divides the kids into several groups according to their
ages and skills. The older boys are made group leaders and carry on the
sessions while he attends to other groups.
  Kanagaraja is doing this for the love of the game and as his
contribution to the youth in the area.
  Kanagaraja may not have played for the nation, but he has earned the
respect of his charges. They affectionately call him `Abang' and give 100
percent attention.
  Kanagaraja could do with some assistance, in the form of more balls,
some cones and T-shirts. Presently, he only has 10 balls to work with.
  Eight are from his club Pemuda Cheras and two donated by well-wishers
Perumal and Periasamy of Cheras.
  FAS vice-president R. Ramalingam, who has heard of Kanagarajah's
efforts, has already asked him to collect five training balls from their
office.
  But more can be done to help Kanagaraja, so that the children who
turn up faithfully every weekend will realise their dreams of being a top
footballer one day.
                           (END)

Sharp-MM land KL jackpot at last (NST)

SHARP-MALAY MAIL tore the formbook when they edged favourites City Hall 1-0 in the KLFA Dunhill League soccer final at KLFA Stadium in Cheras yesterday. It was the first ever title for Sharp-Malay Mail, runnersup in 1988, who collected the top purse of $20,000 while City Hall settled for $15,000. Earlier, Bank Pertanian edged 1990 champions Maybank 5-4 on penalty kicks (after extra-time: 1-1) to take third placing and $5,000. Sharp-Malay Mail were also given a cash incentive by their sponsors, Sharp who awarded them $5,000. Sharp Public Relations Manager Mohamed Salleh Aziz said the cash reward was part of their appreciation of the players' hard work and sacrifices. "They really deserved it," he said. Newcomer Daniel Sinnappan, who was a menace to the City Hall defence on the left flank, scored Sharp MM's solitary goal in the 42nd minute when goalkeeper Rashid Hassan failed to field the ball cleanly in a melee. City Hall missed a penalty in the second half when striker Saidin Osman sent the spotkick wide after he was tripped in the box by Rohaiza Yusof. City charged back with a vengeance but Sharp-MM goalkeeper M. Pavalamani saved three good shots from Hashim Marman, Saidin and Tang Siew Seng in the second half. SHARP-MM...... 1 CITY HALL..... 0 (END)

Ace of clubs (The Malay Mail)

WE are the best on paper and last night we proved ourselves on the pitch.

    Sharp-Malay Mail overcame giants KL City Hall 1-0 at the KLFA stadium
in Cheras to take the KL Dunhill League soccer title for the first time.
   It was a hard earned win but a sweet one as not many had given
Sharp-MM any chance of beating City Hall, comprosing mostly of KL Semi-pro
League players.
   City Hall also defeated Sharp-MM 3-0 in the preliminary round.
   The goal that dealt the killer blow was struck by Daniel Sinnapan
moments before halftime.
   City Hall goalkeeper Rashid Hassan failed to collect an attempt by
midfielder Zulkarnain Talib and Daniel slammed in the loose ball.
   Daniel also scored both goals in Sharp-MM's 2-0 win over Bank
Pertanian in the semi-final last Friday.
   "I'm glad to have scored again. Beating a team like City Hall, who
have the services of some of the best players in the country is no easy
task," said Daniel.
   Sharp-MM started the match confidently and launched several good
moves that troubled the KL City Hall defence manned by Tang Siew Seng,
Zaid Jamil and Razif Ismail.
   Their efforts were finally rewarded with Daniel's goal to the
jubilation of the afternoon daily's supporters.
   City Hall came back with a vengeance after the break and the Sharp-MM
midfield began to crumble.

    City Hall could have found the equaliser but Saidin Osman's penalty
attempt in the 70th minute went wide, much to the relief of the Sharp-MM
players.
   Sharp-MM pocketed $20,000 for being champions while City Hall earned
$15,000. Sharp-MM were also given another $5,000 by their sponsors Sharp
for their superb effort.
            SHARP-MALAY MAIL ... 1    KL CITY HALL ... 0
                               (END)

Sharp-Malay Mail face City Hall fireworks (NST)

IT will be an explosive match when former champions City Mail meet Sharp-Malay Mail in the Kuala Lumpur FA Dunhill League soccer final at KLFA Stadium in Cheras tonight (kick-off: 7.45pm). In the semifinals, Sharp-Malay Mail dumped Bank Pertanian 2-0 while City Hall edged Maybank 1-0. City Hall, the favourites, are confident of landing the $20,000 winners' purse as they packed off Sharp-Malay Mail 3-0 in the preliminary round. However, City Hall will be cautious to avoid casualties as they are also involved in the FAM Cup final against Selangor Dunhill League champions Public Bank at Merdeka Stadium on Friday. City Hall, KLFA Dunhill League champions for five years, were dethroned by Maybank last year but have bounced back into reckoning, though Sharp-Malay Mail will not give them an easy return to the mantle. Last year, City Hall were disqualified in the staging a walkout in the semifinals against Maybank who won their first title beating Felda. City Hall will bank on veterans Mat Zan Mat Aris, S. Balachandran, Razip Ismail, Tang Siew Seng, Mohamad Zaid Jamil, Rashid Hassan, Hashim Marman and Saidin Osman. Sharp-Malay Mail have a safe pair of hands with goalkeeper M. Pavalamani, and the determination of See Kim Seng, S. Tamilarasan, R. Subramaniam and live-wire K. Kannan. Midfielder Daniel Sinnapan who scored twice against Bank Pertanian will be the player to watch again as he combines well with Kannan and veteran Subramaniam. * MAYBANK will play Bank Pertanian in a third-placing match at 4.Opm. (END)

Goalies hold the key (The Malay Mail)

TWO goalkeepers, going separate way after being team-mates the past five
seasons, hold the key to their respective clubs' success in the KLFA
Dunhill soccer final tonight (7.45pm).
    Veteran goalkeeper Rashid Hassan appears for City Hall SC and his
former Kuala Lumpur Semi-pro League teammate, M. Pavalamani, for opponents
Sharp-Malay Mail.
    KL dropped them after their poor performance last season.
    Rashid will turn out for Second Division Police for the new season
while Pavalamani will try to make Kelantan's final squad in trials this
week.
    While Pavalamani leaves for Kota Bharu tommorrow, Rashid will
continue to play for his employers City Hall as he is only on loan to
Police for the Semi-pro League.
    Rashid will also feature for City Hall in the FAM Cup final against
Selangor's Public Bank on Friday.
    The two `keepers will take centrestage tonight at the KL Stadium.
    City Hall, League champions since it was inaugurated in 1986 except
last year, are the favourites.
    The boast of Semi-pro players in Razip Ismail, Tang Siew Seng,
Mohamad Zaid Jamil, S. Balachandran, R. Subramaniam and K. Kannan.
    A.N. Chandrsegar, Rohaniza Ahmad Yusof, V. Suresh, Zulkarnian Talib
and Mohamad Omar have also been impressive.
    The champions will receive $20,000 and the runners-up, $15,000.
    The third-placing match between Maybank and Bank Pertanian is at 4pm.
                             (END)

Sharp-MM duo in lethal form (The Malay Mail)

THE deadly combination of K Kannan and newcomer Daniel Sinnapan steered Sharp-Malay Mail to a 2-0 win over Bank Pertanian in a KL Dunhill League semifinals clash at the KLFA Stadium last night. As a result, Daniel capped a good night by scoring both goals. The first was in the 12th minute when he sent in a stinging grounder after being put through by Kannan. His shot completely beat goalkeeper Muhammad Zahari Shamsuddin. In the 70th minute, Daniel rammed in the ball after Kannan sent in a delicate but perfect cross. In Monday's final, Sharp-MM will take on the winners of the Maybank-City Hall semifinal to be played tonight. Said a jubilant Daniel: "This is my first season with Sharp-MM and I am happy to have played a part in their success so far. Now we look forward to the final." The skillful Daniel, operating on the left flank, was a constant menace to the Bank Pertanian defence. The match started on a bright note for Sharp-MM when striker Saifuldin Alias' header struck the woodwork in the first minute. But after this, the fit Bank Pertanian side were dangerous with their hard-working strikers Che Nizam Mohamad Yah and Nik Ali Nik Cob trying shots at goal whenever they had the chance. The Sharp-MM detence led by See Kim Seng and S. Tamilarasan had to work overtime to stop the duo and goalkeeper M. Pavalamani was tested on several occasions. It was quite an evenly contested affair even after Daniel had taken the lead for Sharp-MM. However, Bank Pertanian's threat fixzled out after Sharp-MM scored their second goal, and they began to resort to rough play. (END)

I will show KL

GOALKEEPER M. Pavalamini is out to prove Kuala Lumpur were harsh and rash
in dumping him from their Semi-pro League squad this season.
    KL dropped all three of their goalkeepers Pavalamani, veteran Rashid
Hassan and youngster Ng Liang Yik - after their wishy-washy performance
last season.
    Rashid will turn out for Police in the Second Division this season
while Liang Yik is without a team.
    Yap Kam Choon and V. Murugan, formerly of Kelantan and Perak
respectively, have signed with KL.
    Pavalamani, 27, is going for broke with Kelantan. If he does not gain
a place he will be left without a team: The closing date for League
registration was Feb 28.
    The former national keeper attended trials with Malacca but wanted to
continue playing for a First Division team.
    Pavalamani has to contend with Wan Kamarulzaman and rookie Asri
Hussein in the Kelantan squad. There will also be competition from former
Terengganu custodian Raimi Jamil.
    Pavalamani is unperturbed by the competition. He is more than
determined to make the squad.
    "It is a make or break situation for me," he said.
    Pavalamani has been training hard with his club Sharp-Malay Mail who
face Bank Pertanian in the KL Dunhill League semifinals on Friday.
    He was supposed to play in a quadrangular tournament in Kota Baru
this weekend but Kelantan team manager Yusof Ali gave him permission to
complete his commitments with Sharp-MM first.
    "I hope to play for KL again and my only chance is to prove myself
with Kelantan. Helping Sharp-MM reach the Dunhill League final will mark
my parting with KL soccer... for a while at least," said Pavalamani.
    Despite being with KL the last four seasons, he rarely played because
of Rashid Hassan'ss presence.
    And when he did play, it was because Rashid was injured or off-form.
    "To judge me by a few matches and sometimes against tough opponents,
is unfair," said Pavalamani, who saw action only against Singapore,
Pahang, Selangor, Sarawak and Kelantan last season.
    He has put the bitter memories behind him and is out to prove he has
plenty of good goalkeeping left in him. He assures that Kelantan, at
least, will benefit if they gave him the chance.
                                  (END)

Tamil gets his break (The Malay Mail)

MALACCA have given the break former Kuala Lumpur youth defender S.
Tamilarasan has been waiting for the last five years - Semi-Pro League
action.
   The talented defender, despite doing well at youth level which
included Razak Cup victory in 1984, never made it with the senior team.
   Among the others who played with him that year and have made a name
for themselves were Subadron Aziz, M. Pavalamani, K. Gunalan (now playing
for Selangor) and Mohamad Zaid Jamil, who was only a reserve.
   But all this while, Tamilarasan, 26, had been confined to club action
with his employers, New Straits Times, playing for Sharp Malay-Mail and
also turning out for KL Indians in the Bardhan Cup and KL Malays in the
Sultan's Gold Cup.
   Apparently, coach Soh Chin Aun was impressed with Tamilarasan's good
reading of the game, strong tackles, good headers and, above all, his cool
composure under pressure.
   Level
   Tamilarasan said that although he will be playing for Malacca in the
Second Division, he is contented he has been given a chance to compete at
a higher level.
   "I am indebted to Malacca and I intend to make use of the opportunity
to establish myself," said Tamilarasan.
   "My main aim is to help Malacca finish among the top teams in the
League, and, hopefully, gain promotion to the First Divison."
   An indication of Tamilarasan's determination to help Malacca succeed
is his decision to apply for no-pay leave for the duration of the League.
- By Tony Mariadass.
                            (END)

Sharp-Malay Mail through (The Malay Mail)

SHARP-MALAY MAIL advanced to the semifinals of the KL Dunhill League in fine style when they defeated gritty Police 3-0 in a Group A match at the Bandar Tun Razak stadium yesterday. The newspaper team, who struggled to beat the KL Back-up squad 2-1 last week, performed better and showed more urgency in this crucial tie. With this win, Sharp-MM qualified for the last four as runners-up in the group with 12 points from five matches. Their only defeat was against City Hall (3-0), who qualify as champions. KL striker K. Kannan, despite hampered by a stiff neck, was Sharp-MM's inspiration. Police made Sharp-MM slog in the first half. They were looking rather dangerous with strikers Zulkhairi Zabidi and Jusli Ismail worrying the Sharp-MM defence led by skipper See Kim Seng and S. Tamilarasan. But Sharp-MM absorbed the pressure and took the lead in the 40th minute when Kannan sent in a well-placed shot which beat goalkeeper Azlan Shamsul Kamar. Rain began to pour heavily early in the secondhalf and the waterlogged pitch almost made it impossible for both teams to play creatively. Midway through, the condition of the pitch improved and Sharp-MM continued their goal hunt. In the 70th minute they went 2-0 up when Daniel Sinappan headed in after a perfect cross from Kannan who made a darting run down the right flank. This goal took the steam off Police and Sharp-MM took firm control of the match. Substitute Kamazar Kadir made it 3-0 eight minutes before the end. The other match between the KL Back-up squad and Felda at the Hospital ground was abandoned because of heavy rain. KL Back-up squad were leading 1-0. GROUP A P W D L F A Pt City Hall 4 4 0 0 13 1 12 Sharp-MM 5 4 0 1 11 6 12 KL Back-Up 4 2 0 2 9 8 6 Police 3 1 0 2 3 5 3 Felda 3 0 1 2 1 5 1 BSN 5 0 1 4 3 15 1 GROUP B Maybank 5 3 1 1 11 3 10 B Pertanian 3 3 0 0 6 0 9 Petronas 4 3 0 1 7 4 9 Mindef 4 2 0 2 7 8 6 Bank Bumi 4 0 1 3 5 8 1 Prisons 4 0 0 4 2 10 0 (END)

Sharp-MM looking good for semifinals (The Malay Mail)

SHARP-MALAY MAIL survived a furious on-slaught in the last 15 minutes to
edge Kuala Lumpur's Back-up squad 2-1 in a Dunhill League match at Bandar
Tun Razak Stadium yesterday.
   The Back-up squad were certainly looking good for the equaliser
during this period and Sharp-MM goalkeeper M. Pavalamani had to make two
creditable saves to keep his team's 2-1 lead intact.
   With this win, Sharp-MM have enhanced their chances of making the
semifinals. They are now in second spot with nine points from four
matches.
   Sharp-MM started the match convincingly by executing clever moves
towards the goal but this lasted for only five minutes.
   After this, it was Back-up who dictated the match and began to pile
up the pressure. It was not before long that they deservedly took the lead
with a goal by Ng Boo Cheng.
   Inspired by this the youngsters were hungry for more with strikers
Boo Cheng and Mohamad Sham Mohamad Nor getting good support from midfield.
The Sharp-MM defence led by See Kim Seng and S. Tamilaresan had to work
overtime.
   Midway through the first half, Sharp-MM began to reorganize
themselves and finally equalised in the 28th minute through S. Muniathy
after receiving a backpass from K. Kannan.
   Sharp-MM continued to mount the pressure and in the 40th minute Kim
Seng made it 2-1 with a powerful freekick from 30 metres.
GROUP A
           P  W  D  L  P  A  Pt
City Hall    3  3  0  0 11  1  9
Sharp MM     4  3  0  1  8  6  9
Police       2  1  0  1  3  2  3
Back-Up      3  1  0  2  4  8  3
Felda        1  0  0  1  0  2  0
BSN          3  0  0  3  2  9  0

Sharp-MM close in on semis (The Malay Mail)

SHARP-MALAY MAIL turned on their power in the second half to subdue Bank
Simpanan Nasional 4-2 in a KL Dunhill League match at the Police Depot
ground yesterday.
  It was the second win for Sharp-Malay Mail and it enhances of making
the semi-finals.
  Sharp-MM took the lead in the 14th minute through K.Kannan. Inspired
by the goal, Sharp-MM launched numerous raids but they failed to
capitalise on their chances.
  BSN stunned Sharp-MM a minute after the break.
  However, Saifulddin Alias regained the lead for Sharp-MM in the 54th
minute.
  But gritty BSN continued to apply pressure and equalised through Peh
Eng Hing in the 61st minute with an inswinger which caught Sharp-MM
goalkeeper M.Pavalamani by surprise.
  Sharp-MM organised themselves and took control of the match.
  Saifulddin struck again three minutes later before S.Muniathy dealt
the killer blow for BSN in the 75th minute.
  BSN would have suffered a heavier loss if not for their inform
goalkeeper Abdul Razak Harun. - Mustapha Kamaruddin
  SHARP-MALAY MAIL...4        BSN...2
                               (END)