One-goal lead not much consolation for Malay Mail (The Malay Mail)

YOU can bet that the climax will be nail-biting. And whoever prevail are
likely to do so by the skin of their teeth.
 That is as close as it can get when Kuala Lumpur Malay Mail defend their
one-goal lead against Police in their FA Cup second leg first round clash
at the Merdeka Stadium tonight.
 Malay Mail, who won the first leg 2-1 at the KLFA stadium a fortnight
ago, will face an armed and dangerous army of cops firing on all
cylinders.
 For that, the newspaper team know they will have to do more than just
hold on to their slim advantage.
 "We are still treading on very dangerous ground and we have no choice
but to start the match as if the score is even," said Malay Mail coach R.
Subramaniam.
 "Police are one of the most aggressive teams and they will stop at
nothing to win the match."
 Both teams are entering the field shrouded in an aura of mystique. Malay
Mail, who started with a defensive game in the first match, have left the
observers guessing about their game plan tonight.
 Their goalkeeper, M. Pavalamani, is still recovering from a high fever
and looks a doubtful starter. Robert Maniam, who scored the winner after
coming on as a substitute in the first match, is still not a certain first
choice feature. Former international midfielder S. Balachandran is still
nursing a knee injury.
 Police have left their opponents wondering what is under their sleeves.
They did not field three of their key players in the first tie - Ghanaian
striker Mast Opuene Onyanabo, Nigerian defender Theophillus Amoo and local
hitman Darul Nazri Daniyan. It remains to be seen whether the trio will
take the field tonight.
 Subramaniam said Police will be more fired up after their 6-1 thrashing
by Armed Forces in a Premier Two match last week.
 "Even if they field many of their reserves, it won't be easy for us.
Their new players are all eager to prove themselves and will play their
hearts out to help their team win," he said.
 Malay Mail have an attractive cast of former national and KL players to
chart their fortunes in their first FA Cup outing.
 Apart from Balachandran and Pavalamani, T. Gopinath Naidu, a former
Olympic squad player, has the quality stuff to elevate the team.
 The midfield looks a classy department with former Perlis schemer N.
Suresh  combining well with Balachandran and Gopinath to run the engine
room. The three have the task of outmanoeuvring the Police middle line,
manned by Moroccan El Mustafa Azour.
 Australian Taso Notaras, into his third season with Malay Mail and has
played for Perth-based club Floreat Athena in the Australian League,
provides the safety touches at the backline.
 If Malay Mail succeed in eliminating Police tonight, they will go on to
meet Chow Kwai Lam's KL in the second round.
                              (END)