NST Online: Sports

Posted: 20 Jul 2011 10:52 AM PDT

ARSENAL and Liverpool defenders were both given a torrid time by quickfire the speed and quick-legs of flanker S. Kunanlan when the national team played the both English Premier League (EPL) sides last week.

Kunanlan, 25, The 25-year-old was instrumental in creating chances for his teammates in both matches.
The winger's His exploits are is nothing new as Kunanlan has been one of the most consistent players in the national team for years.
now.

"My confidence is high after going great against Arsenal and then Liverpool. It has given me the self-belief that I can take on the best defenders in the world," said Kunanlan yesterday.
The Semenyih-born, However, Kunanlan has yet to score an international goal for the senior team.
"I've never scored in an international match but have come despite coming close. on several times. occasions. It is dumbfounding as I scored many goals in training," said the Semenyih-born Kunanlan.

"I am not unhappy but sometimes I feel left out as fans only remember those who score. I tend to freeze in front of the goalmouth."
Kunanlan, however, hopes to get earn his first international goal against Singapore in the second round, first leg match of the World Cup Qualifiers at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday.
"Of course, I would like to score against Singapore but it is not my top priority. It does not matter who scores as long as we beat them. Singapore have always been a difficult team to beat. for Malaysia. It will be a tough match.

"I was part of the national Under-23 team who beat Singapore 3-0 at the same stadium two years ago. Many of my teammates from that squad are in the senior team now," added said Kunanlan, a The former cross-country champion who has been a regular with member of the national team since 2009.
Kunanlan was part of the national Under-23 team who won the 2009 Laos Sea Games title and also the AFF Cup.

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All Blacks wary of taking Fiji lightly

Posted: 20 Jul 2011 08:57 AM PDT

DUNEDIN (New Zealand): The All Blacks open their World Cup build-up with a test against Fiji tomorrow, resting key players but stressing they will not fall into the same trap as Australia against Samoa.

The one new international is Otago Highlanders lock Jarrad Hoeata while teammate and fly-half Colin Slade gets his first start in only his second test.

But coach Graham Henry has enough depth in his squad to have 531 test caps among the run-on side with another 216 to call on from the bench.

"This is an important test for us as we kick off this year's test season," Henry said following the team announcement yesterday.

"You just need to look at how Fiji's Pacific neighbours Samoa played against Australia on the weekend to know that if we underestimate Fiji, we do so at our peril."

Samoa last weekend scored an upset 32-23 win over the Wallabies, who rank third in the world behind the All Blacks and South Africa, but fielded a vastly under-strength side against the Pacific islanders.

Henry has taken the opportunity to rest several members of the Canterbury Crusaders who played in the Super 15 final less than two weeks ago and there is an experimental look about the forwards to face the physical Fijians.

Wyatt Crockett, in the squad as injury cover for Tony Woodcock, returns to the All Blacks for the first time since 2009 to join Andrew Hore and Ben Franks in the front row.

In the middle row, newcomer Hoeata will partner with 61-test veteran Ali Williams who is making his comeback after being sidelined by injury for two years.

Richie McCaw, who missed most of the Super 15 season because of a foot injury, will captain the team from the flank but his regular loose forward partners Jerome Kaino and Kieran Read have been replaced by Adam Thomson and Liam Messam.

But in anticipation of what could be expected from the bruising Fijians, Henry has opted for five forwards on the bench and only two backs.

The backs replacements include Dan Carter if there is any problem with the novice halves pairing of Jimmy Cowan and the rookie Slade.

The midfield backs are the established pairing of Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith with Zac Guildford, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Mils Muiliaina filling the back three places.

The performances of Guildford, Sivivatu and Slade, along with the loose forwards will be under the microscope as Henry weighs up his options before naming his final World Cup squad after the Tri-Nations series.

"We have got some real competition for places and it's exciting for those players picked and they will be keen to put their best foot forward," Henry said.

The last time the All Blacks played Fiji was in Auckland in 2005, which they easily won 91-0.

New Zealand (15-1): Mils Muliaina, Zac Guildford, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Colin Slade, Jimmy Cowan, Liam Messam, Richie McCaw (capt), Adam Thomson, Ali Williams, Jarrad Joeata, Ben Franks, Andrew Hore, Wyatt Crockett.

Replacements: Corey Flynn, John Afoa, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Piri Weepu, Daniel Carter, Ben Smith. -- AFP

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Kredit: www.nst.com.my

Rabu, 20 Julai 2011

NST Online: Sports

NST Online: Sports

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