NST Online: Sports

Football / Malaysia Cup: Maniam welcomes Selangor test

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 05:09 PM PDT

2011/09/24
By Ajitpal Singh
ajitpalsingh@nst.com.my

P. Maniam is confident of turning Selangor's fortunes around against Police today.

P. MANIAM maintains he has nothing to fear as the former international prepares for his first match in charge of Selangor as they look to bounce back against Police in a Malaysia Cup Group D match today.

Maniam was named as head coach of the 32-time Malaysia Cup champions until the end of the season following the resignation of K. Devan on Monday.

Having spent the last two-and-a-half seasons as Devan's assistant, today will represent Maniam's first senior match in sole control as coach.

Before becoming Selangor's assistant coach, Maniam steered the state youth teams to victory in the 2006 National Youth Football Competition and the 2008 President's Cup. He also guided Selangor to a silver medal at last year's Malaysia Games in Malacca.

"There is no fear. It is a great experience for me, I can't deny that. The players know me and I'm looking forward to it," said Maniam, who had stints with Selangor (1989-96), Kuala Lumpur (1997-99) and Public Bank (2000-04) during his successful playing career.

"Devan's resignation came as a shock, but you can only be who you are. It was dramatic, but the next day you have to prepare yourself for a situation that will be unique for us. My only task is to give each player confidence and be their strength.

"I've been given this chance to impress the Selangor FA and I will do my best to get Selangor into the quarter-finals."

Maniam, however, has a difficult task on his hands as Selangor cannot afford to drop points against Police if they hope to qualify for the quarter-finals.

Selangor, who finished third in the Super League, have earned only four points and are third behind T-Team and Kuala Lumpur with two matches left to play in Group D.

"Every coach obviously has his own ideas and of course, I will make tactical changes to strengthen the team. I am confident that I have a squad of players capable of playing good football," said Maniam, who represented the national team between 1991-94.

Selangor's season has so far been below par, mainly because of their toothless attack after national striker Safee Sali signed for Indonesia's Pelita Jaya in February.

Badminton / Japan Open: Still feeling the blues

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 05:09 PM PDT

2011/09/24
K.M. Boopathy
boopathy@nst.com.my

Peter Gade Christensen will be taking on Lee Chong Wei today.

LEE Chong Wei has declared he still has not recovered from the disappointment of losing in the World Championships final last month and a patchy performance saw him barely surviving the Japan Open quarter-finals in Tokyo yesterday.

Chong Wei was taken to three games by Kenichi Tago of Japan before the Malaysian secured a 21-23, 21-7, 21-18 win in 56 minutes to reach the semi-finals.

However, there was plenty to be concerned about as Chong Wei let slip a 16-11 lead in the first game to lose 23-21 and allowed Kenichi to fight back from 19-10 in the third game before winning 21-18.

The World No 1 cannot afford to lose concentration in the last four today where he meets veteran Peter Gade Christensen of Denmark, who defeated Indonesia's Simon Santoso 21-14, 21-15.

Chong Wei, who suffered a narrow defeat to nemesis Lin Dan in the World Championships, said he has not recovered mentally from the shock defeat.

"I had match points at 20-19 and 21-20. I had a chance to win but I lost the match. I have been very down since then," said Chong Wei.

"I just decided to come, because this is the 30th anniversary of the Japan Open."

Lin Dan also struggled in his 20-22, 21-14, 22-20 win over compatriot Chen Jin and will play another China player, Chen Long -- who defeated Jan Jorgensen of Denmark 21-14, 21-13, in the last four today.

In the men's doubles, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong secured a place in the semi-finals when they overcame compatriots Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah 21-16, 19-21, 21-17.

They play world champions Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng of China today.

Cai Yun-Haifeng, who beat Candra Wijaya-Alvent Yulianto of Indonesia 21-12, 21-14, have beaten Kien Keat-Boon Heong seven times in 12 meetings.

The second semi-final will see brothers Markis Kido and Bona Septano taking on each other with their respective partners.

Markis and Hendra Setiawan defeated South Korean scratch pair Ko Sung Hyun-Lee Yong Dae 21-10, 15-21, 21-14 while Bona, partnering Mohammad Ahsan, defeated Liu Xiaolong-Qiu Zihan of China 21-5, 21-16 in the quarter-finals.

Selected Q-Final Results -- Men's Singles: Lee Chong Wei (Mas) bt Kenichi Tago (Jpn) 21-23, 21-7, 21-18; Peter Gade Christensen (Den) bt Simon Santoso (Ina) 21-14, 21-15; Chen Long (Chn) bt Jan Jorgensen (Den) 21-14, 21-13; Lin Dan (Chn) bt Chen Jin (Chn) 20-22, 21-14, 22-20.

Doubles: Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng (Chn) bt Alvent Yulianto-Hendra Gunawan (Ina) 21-12, 21-14; Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong (Mas) bt Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah (Mas) 21-16, 19-21, 21-17; Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan (Jpn) bt Ko Sung Hyun-Lee Yong Dae (Kor) 21-10, 15-21, 21-14; Mohammad Ahsan-Bona Septano (Ina) bt Liu Xiaolong-Qiu Zihan (Chn) 21-5, 21-16.

Kredit: www.nst.com.my

Jumaat, 23 September 2011

NST Online: Sports

NST Online: Sports

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