Sunday, May 27, 2001

M-League - Sabah close gap on leaders

JOHOR BARU: Sabah narrowed the gap on Premier II leaders Johor FC with a 1-0 win over Kedah JKR at the Penampang Stadium in Kota Kinabalu yesterday.

The Rhinos had to wait until an injury time goal to secure full points when overlapping rightback Madzlan Emoi scored the winner off a goalmouth melee.

Leaders Johor FC, who went down to their first defeat (0-2) to Malacca Telekom on Friday have 28 points while Sabah are second with 24.

Source: The Star

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M-League - Defender Bobby Chua scores rare goal to save the Crocs

KUCHING: Sarawak had to come from behind with a rare goal by defender Bobby Chua in the first half to share points with Selangor in a Premier I match at the Sarawak Stadium here last night.

Selangor went ahead through first-half substitute Asmawi Bakiri, who scored his first goal for Selangor since returning from Sabah this season in the 30th minute.

But Sarawak equalised 10 minutes later with Bobby's gem as both teams settled for the draw.

The draw gave Selangor 17 points and landed them in fifth place at the halfway mark and the RM20,000 purse, ahead of sixth-placed Sarawak on goal difference.

It was Selangor who suffered the early setback when winger Nor Suhaimi Bahauddin had to be replaced by Asmawi Bakiri after sustaining an injury after just 20 minutes.

But the replacement proved to be a blessing in disguise as Asmawi put the visitors ahead 10 minutes later with a thumping 30m shot which caught Sarawak's reserve goalkeeper Mohd Azley Abdullah napping.

A jolted Sarawak picked up the pace after the deficit and they were rewarded with the equaliser five minutes before the break.

Left back Bobby raced down the flank and whipped a left-foot shot into the near corner for his first goal of the season, much to the delight of the fans.

Sarawak: Mohd Azley Abdullah, Jeffrey Untam (Gilbert Cassidy Gawing), Bobby Chua, Dahlan Matussin, Zaidel Sakup, Mohd Ali Safiee, Ibrahim Mantali, Nazri Yunos, Ramles Sari (Safri Amit), Halim Jantan, Halim Jantan (Zulkarnaen Mohd Poasa).

Selangor: Azmin Azram Abdul Aziz, Shamsul Amri Abu Bakar, B. Rajinkandh, Khairil Zainal, D. Surendran (Jaafar Saleh), Nor Suhaimi Bahauddin (Azmawi Bakiri), Khairun Haled Masrom, Mohd Shawal Johadi, Yusri Che Lah, Nizaruddin Yusof (S.Jayaprakash), Rusdi Suparman.

Source: The Star

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Saturday, May 26, 2001

Badminton - Sultan favoured to win shuttle battle

Seville is set to witness a couple of remarkable battles among the shuttlecock fraternity - and neither of them is on the playing courts according to a Reuters report from London yesterday.

The Sudirman Cup world mixed team event starting on Monday kicks off a week of intensive competition involving 55 nations followed by the individual championships from June 4.

Away from the stadium, all eyes are on an unprecedented contest for the presidency of the International Badminton Federation (IBF), with the official nominee His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei facing a spirited challenge in voting at the AGM on June 3.

The election - the first in the 67-year-history of the federation - will pit His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei holding high prestige and a keen player against Indonesia's Justian Suhandinata, an IBF vice-president since 1993, a member of the federation for 16 years and a player for 43 years - but hardly a household name.

For the last three years Brunei has hosted badminton's world grand prix finals and IBF chief executive Neil Cameron confirms a 17-7 vote among the executive council in favour of His Majesty's nomination.

"It's my understanding that it is felt the game's image needs to be radically changed and a high-profile president would help in this respect," said Cameron.

"He should also be able to use his management and leadership skills to build a strategic plan, focusing our efforts on some key priorities and a new 'face' would be an opportunity to radically overhaul some of our internal management processes."

Cameron added: "In the modern, highly competitive entertainment world we urgently need to improve the game's image amongst sports fans and key people."

Suhandinata, 54, told Reuters "I have spent 16 years in the body and I know all the nooks and crannies of it. I think I am able to do it and I have people believing in me."

Because it is the first election of its kind IBF officials are still working on voting detail, a process complicated by the presence of a third candidate in the shape of Korn Dabbaransi, 55, a former deputy prime minister of Thailand, and president of the Asian Badminton Confederation since 1999.

Another heavyweight, he is widely expected to withdraw although the IBF say they have received no official notification.

Source: Borneo Bulletin

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M-League - Sabah-Kedah JKR clash

KOTA KINABALU - Sabah will not be taking Kedah JKR for granted when the two teams meet at the Penampang Stadium this afternoon in a Premier II soccer match that will also mark the end of the first round fixtures. Coach Ken Worden wants his lads to finish on a winning note and to ensure that the seven-point gap between them and leaders Johor FC is not stretched further.

The three points will not make any difference to the top two positions but it could ultimately decide the champion and the runner-up. Both Johor FC and Sabah have made it a two-horse race.

Worden: "We cannot afford to drop any more points, especially at home. We will need every single point and even goals to ensure our objective. At this stage, I must also say that perhaps we would need a favour or two from the other teams to beat Johor FC".

Meanwhile, in Premier I, Terengganu have become the unexpected leaders followed by Kelantan and Penang, but tonight's outcome will decide what sort of prize incentive they get.

(By Catherine Ong)

Source: Borneo Bulletin

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M-League - Johor FC, Sabah confirm spots

KOTA KINABALU: Pacesetters Johor FC and second-placed Sabah are untouchable at the top of the Premier II standings.

Both teams have confirmed the one-two finish to win the RM15,000 and RM12,500 newly introduced cash incentives.

It was a record for the southern club outfit, as from the possible 30 points, they managed to collect 28 points. As for Sabah, with seven wins and three defeats they are trailing by seven goals with 21 points.

With one more match to play for both teams to complete the first round fixtures, there are no other teams that are good enough to change Johor FC and Sabah’s position as table toppers.

Closest rivals Kelantan JKR currently lying third in the standings are five points behind Sabah with 16 points.

As for Kelantan JKR, they need to win their battle against NS Chempaka to maintain the position and win the RM10,000 cash incentive. Anything less than victory will see them slipping to fourth placing should Kelantan TNB overcome Brunei.

Tonight, six teams, including Johor FC will complete their first round challenge. The other teams are Kelantan JKR, Armed Forces, NS Chempaka, Malacca Telekom and Kedah.

Sabah and Kedah JKR would complete their fixtures on Saturday. The match will be played at the Penampang Stadium.

As for KL Malay Mail and Police, tonight’s fixtures will be their second last matches of the first round. They will complete their fixtures against Brunei.

As for Brunei, they have three matches in hand - against KL Malay Mail, Police and Kelantan TNB.

Tonight, Police will pit their skills against Kedah at the Selayang Municipal Council Stadium while KL Malay Mail take on Armed Forces at the KLFA Stadium in Cheras.

Johor FC will take on Malacca Telekom at home while NS Chempaka will have a tough night against Kelantan JKR at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi.

(By FRANCIS XAVIER)

Source: New Sabah Times

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Friday, May 25, 2001

Football - Two Sabah soccer players still ‘unfit' to see action

KOTA KINABALU - Former Sabah striker Mohd Jaya Kassim and his midfield colleague Rezuan Aman Khan are still 'unfit' to see action in the M-League. And they could be the two players coach Ken Worden could rely on in the ongoing M-League campaign.

On Wednesday, the duo took the FA of Malaysia (FAM)'s Cooper's Test (2800m - a 7-lap run in 12 minutes) under the watchful eyes of FAM technical department official Subramaniam E. R. Both failed miserably.

In the test the two players only managed to complete five laps in 12 minutes. For the record, that was Jaya's fourth attempt and third for Rezuan. It is the FAM regulation that all players must have a fitness licence before they can see action in M-League this year.

Jaya made his second attempt together with Suharmin Yusof on March 27.

Suharmin passed the test and earned his fitness licence. Since then, Suharmin has played a vital role in Rhinos coach Ken Worden's game plan.

The lanky Tawau-born striker is currently one of the team's leading scorer. He has eight goals to his credit - five goals in league and three goals in FA Cup.

As for Jaya, he took the test for the third time together with Rezuan on Sunday but the duo could only managed to finish less than five laps in 12-minute, and requested to take the test again on Wednesday.

It is quite crucial, especially for Rezuan to earn his fitness licence, as all this while, Worden has expressed that he still need at least two more experience players to strengthen the team.

Sabah FA executive secretary Harry Baking when contacted said that he is unsure when the duo will be ready for the test again.

Worden has often lamented that he has a 'thin' squad of experienced players to rely on and whenever the seniors are out on suspension or injury, his side is rattled. He has had to rely on the Reserve League youngsters instead, but it is obvious they are still not quite ready for the big time.

But rookie defender Mark Dovis did leave an impression on Worden in Tuesday's FA Cup quarterfinal match. Without three senior defenders K Sanbagamaran, Burhan Ajui and Dunian Sulog, Worden was forced to field Dovis instead and promised him a new pair of boots should he help the side to a scoreless draw.

It was not goalless but it was a 1-1 draw, with Perak equalising from the spot. Still, it was enough to give Sabah a place in the semifinals at the expense of Perak, the defending Malaysia Cup champions, on a 4-1 aggregate.

"I am not going to deny Mark the pair of boots I promised him just because of the penalty. It was a remarkable performance for a rookie who was making his debut with the senior team," said Worden. Sabah will play Selangor in the semifinals.

It will cost the Australian a few hundred ringgit but he is not complaining. After all, nobody gave Sabah a chance to be in the FA Cup semifinals when they had to take care of Premier I teams like Pahang and Perak in their half of the draw.

To Worden, the semifinal clash against Selangor is a "nostalgic affair." He was, after all, Selangor coach from 1993-1996.

Sabah will be playing Kedah JKR this afternoon at the Penampang Stadium to wind up their first round fixtures, and win or lose, Sabah will still remain second. But Worden wants all three points so as to keep Johor FC in check.

Worden reckons that the club side cannot go on winning all the time, and that the bubble will soon burst. But he wants his side to be poised to take over when that time comes. For despite doing well in the FA Cup, Worden still insists that Sabah must top Premier II and get promotion this season. Other competitions are secondary at this stage for him.

(By Catherine Ong)

Source: Borneo Bulletin

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M-League - Brunei match put off

Brunei's Premier Two match against Kelantan TNB scheduled to be played tonight at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium has been postponed to Wednesday June 13 as confirmed by BAFA yesterday.

The match had to be moved as Kelantan TNB faced travel problems and is now part of a hectic 10-day period for Brunei as they play catch-up with the rest of the teams.

Brunei will first play the Police at home on Friday June 1 before travelling to the Malaysian capital to take on KL Malay Mail on Monday June 4.

Both these matches were rescheduled from the start of the season.

Brunei are already lagging behind in terms of games played with the rest of the teams having played at least three games more.

And with the rest of the league wrapping up their round one schedule tonight, the three games that Brunei have to play in June will more than likely play a critical part in Brunei's endeavour to be promoted to Premier One.

Meanwhile, according to a report in the New Straits Times the Perak FA have lodged a protest with the FA of Malaysia over the dubious decisions by Selangor referee Azimi Abdullah in the FA Cup quarterfinal second leg tie between Perak and Sabah at Perak Stadium on Tuesday.

The match ended in a 1-1 draw but Sabah qualified for the semifinals on a 4-1 aggregate, courtesy of their 3-0 win in the first leg.

Perak FA deputy president Datuk Jamal Nasir Rasid, who is also M-League team manager, said they are protesting not because their team lost but because some of the decisions made by Azimi went against them.

"We can accept defeat but not this way, not with the referee against us," said Jamal Nasir.

During Tuesday's match, Jamal Nasir was seen getting up from the bench several times to protest against the decisions of the referee.

(By Benny Ang)

Source: Borneo Bulletin

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Prince Qawi declares Fobissea Games open

Prince Abdul Qawi, Executive Deputy Chairman and Director of QAF Brunei, officially declared the Fobissea Junior Games 2001 open yesterday at the Jerudong International School. The event is being held in Brunei for the first time to coincide with Visit Brunei Year 2001.

Prince Abdul Qawi, who is also the patron of the Fobissea Games, in his welcome address said, "This Fobissea Junior Games 2001 is not about winning but taking part that is important. This is a great opportunity to play sport on an international stage, especially for students of such a young age."

He also said, "It is particularly pleasing to see so many visitors from around Southeast Asia, especially as this year has been designated as Visit Brunei Year 2001."

The participating students marched into the field while students from Jerudong International School played their own band.

Students from year 4,5 and 6 (9 to 11 years of age) from eight different countries in Southeast Asia are now gathered in Brunei to participate in the games. They will be participating in swimming, athletics, soccer and rounders. Over 600 competitors and another 600 supporters are in the capital for the special three-day event which concludes Saturday.

This event is a major initiative of the Federation of British International Schools in Southeast Asia and is held annually across the region. Fobissea was established in 1988 and its overall aim is to promote educational excellence in British-style schools and to provide opportunities for inter-school competitions and enrichment programmes.

To mark this special occasion, a gala performance was held last night at the Jerudong International School. The Indian High Commission organised a Bharatanatyam dance, "A Madjapahit Celebration" from PDS International School, "Faustwork Mask Man" from the Canadian High Commission and a traditional dance from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

(By Jacky Lim & Ayu Sulaiman)

Source: Borneo Bulletin

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Arafura Games - Brunei back with five medals

Brunei bagged a gold and four bronze medals in athletics and swimming at the Arafura Games in Darwin recently.

The gold medal came courtesy of Pg Azizul in the discus event with a throw of 42.01 metres. The other two bronze medals were from the 4x100 metres (Azrin, Haseri, Shahjohan and Arman) in a time of 42.50secs and Alinawati in the 200 metres.

The two bronze medals in swimming were from Dzairenny Muslim in two breaststroke events.

(By Khairul Jafni H Ali)

Source: Borneo Bulletin

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Thursday, May 24, 2001

FA Cup - Crocs end jinx

THE CROCS broke their losing streak - and just in time - at Sarawak Stadium to scrap through to the FA Cup semi-finals with a 2-2 draw against Johor FC on Tuesday night.

Playing under pressure from both the must-win-fans and ever-demanding management, they followed Jalil's simple but effective game plan.

In a post-match media conference, Jalil admitted that his boys were told to keep the ball longest possible in their efforts to foil Johor FC's neat and fast exchanges.

"I know some of the fans were upset when the players kept the ball too long, but that was our game plan and I ordered them to do so," he said with a grin.

He was almost lost for words but still able to laud his charges performance in the nail-biting thriller that saw what many regarded as the first goalkeeper's own goal of the season.

The stand-in Azley, who played relatively well throughout the match succumbed to the pressure when he pushed in Azni Ariffin's weak shot which was more of a cross than an attempt at goal.

The lead put Johor FC back in contention with 3-3 aggregate. And to make matters worse, the match was only three minutes old and Sarawak were already trailing to second stringer opponents causing some unforgiving fans to start jeering and making unwelcomed chants.

But the Crocs' perseverance paid off after several attempts. They converted one of the many free kicks in the 24th minute to level the score and regain their 4-3 lead (aggregate) through one of their veteran strikers, Ramles Sari.

And the most veteran player and team skipper Mohd Ali, who is playing into his 20th year, virtually sealed the game for Sarawak with a pile-driver in the 58th minute.

The two-goal deficit did not however dampen Johor FC's never-say-die attitude. Instead the visitors went full gear and found the equaliser through former international Idris Karim in the 77th minute.

They tried even harder right into the three-minute injury time to erase the deficit, but Sarawak players allowed no mistakes for them to capitalise.

Coach Azuan Zain put on a brave smile after the game and was happy that his boys could match Sarawak in an important away clash.

"Undoubtedly, we are bowing out of the Cup, but I am proud with my boys' performance tonight and the capability to match Sarawak at home is something that we can be proud of," he said.

Johor FC, who were assured RM20,000 cash incentive for the vital 1-0 win over Brunei in Premier Two campaign to top the league, displayed high quality football with accurate passing and neat ball distribution.

Jeffery Untam, Dahlan Matussin, Bobby Chua and Zaidil Sakup were the busiest men on the field when Johor FC displayed Liverpool look-alike neat passes.

They usually started from midfield off playmaker Idris Karim who passed the ball to one of their wingers before going back to the defenders' blind-side to deliver a cross into a yawning penalty box.

Sarawak were rather fortunate that Johor FC's Sheikh Ahmad Redzuan lost his scoring touch as on many occasions he was left unguarded. The club's top striker was eventually replaced in the 40th minute for dismal performance.

The draw shattered Johor FC's dream to become the first club side to enter the FA Cup semi-finals.

On the other hand, Sarawak would meet another club side in the semi-finals, Kelantan JKR who upset last year semi-finalists Negeri Sembilan by drawing 1-1 in Seremban but won on 3-2 aggregate.

Sarawak team manager Haji Zaidi Khaldine Zaini was all smiles and could not contain his joy after the match.

"They played very well and we are looking forward to the semi-finals," he said.
Haji Zaidi, one of the prime movers behind Sarawak's success story, introduced a new curfew system that has led to the improvement in the players' endurance.

"They fared very well, their stamina is improving and they can perform until the final whistle," said Haji Zaidi.

Under the new ruling, players are gathered at one location prior to a home match in order to regulate their activities.

(By Abdul Hakim Bujang)

Source: Sarawak Tribune

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