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)