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)