NST Online: Sports

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 07:09 PM PDT

2011/09/03
By K.M. Boopathy

Pang Cheh Chang has trained Tan Boon Heong at junior level.

KOO Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong's request to train under Pang Cheh Chang has received the greenlight from national doubles chief coach Rexy Mainaky.

Kien Keat, who finally turned up for training at Juara Stadium yesterday, and Boon Heong had a heart-to-heart talk with Rexy who accepted their request in good faith and will convey the message to the BA of Malaysia (BAM) management.

Rexy said if the move can bring the best out of Kien Keat-Boon Heong, he will not stand in their way.

In fact, he felt it is better for them to start training with Cheh Chang right way rather than waiting until the coaching and training committee (CTC) meeting on Thursday.

Kien Keat had missed training since Friday.

The CTC is likely to accept the arrangement but Rexy said almost two weeks would be wasted if the committee waits till Thursday to decide.

"I spoke to both players and they have requested to train under Cheh Chang. If that is going to help them improve, I have no problems. However, I have told them not to miss training as they will lose out," said Rexy.

"Cheh Chang has trained Boon Heong since he was a junior and both feel they can become better and regain their confidence under him. What is important now is that the management should grant permission temporarily for them to train with Cheh Chang until the CTC approves it officially.

"This is because any further delay will only result in both players not being fully focused in training.

"Cheh Chang and I worked together last year and there were some results. Chang Chang can fully concentrate on Kien Keat-Boon Heong while I can train the other players and manage the overall elite doubles programme."

Kien Keat said he would not miss training again but declined to elaborate on his discussion with Rexy.

Police revel in dark horse tag

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 07:06 PM PDT

2011/09/03
By Devinder Singh

AFTER being written off as no-hopers at the start of the season, Police silenced their critics by qualifying for the Malaysia Cup on merit after finishing third in the Premier League.

With a side largely made up of police personnel, coach K. Thayanathan's squad finished strongly and will be out to act as spoilers against more established teams in Group D.

Police open their campaign against Kuala Lumpur in Paroi on Tuesday and Thayanathan is relishing the prospect of his side causing an upset or two against Super League sides KL, Selangor and Kuala Terengganu T-Team.

"We surprised a few people with the run we had this season and we beat teams which spent a lot of money like Sime Darby and Armed Forces. Not many expected us to qualify for the Malaysia Cup, nobody gave us a chance but we qualified on merit, unlike the last few times when we were pre-qualified.

"But this Malaysia Cup is going to be tough. We will go into each match and fight to the best of our abilities and see what happens," said Thaiyanathan, who is into his fifth year as Police coach.

Police only have three contract players in Fazuan Abdullah, N. K. Dhurai and Afif Amiruddin, and of the trio Fazuan has carried the goalscoring burden with nine goals along with Khairul Izuan Abdullah (11).

Thaiyanathan declined to bring in players on loan for the tournament given the limited financial resources of the Police FA but he argued that there are few quality players from non-Malaysia Cup teams for him to sign anyway.

"We have three contract players and the rest are all from the force. We have qualified for the Malaysia Cup with these players and we will continue with them. I did not see any player from other teams who interested me."

Police will be making their fifth appearance in the Malaysia Cup, but only the second time on merit, having achieved their best result in 2008 when they reached the quarter-finals only to go out to Selangor on the away goals rule.

Kredit: www.nst.com.my

Jumaat, 2 September 2011

NST Online: Sports

NST Online: Sports

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