From: edward@iti.gov.sg (Edward Lim)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.asean
Subject: Soccer #24: Semi-Pro League Div I: Results of Matches on 25 July 92
Date: 27 Jul 92 04:12:30 GMT
Organization: Information Technology Institute, National Computer Board, Singapore
Originator: edward@hermes.iti.gov.sg


Sundram stars as Lions bares fangs
----------------------------------

Singapore finally produced a winning soccer performance that showed that it
deserved to be in the First Division when it trounced fellow relegation candidate
Selangor 4-0 at the National Stadium.  The victory was the Lions' first in 11
matches and the 2 points gained will help to avoid the dreaded drop to the Second
Division for the first time in history.  For the 25,000 fans who braved a light
drizzle before the kick-off, last Saturday's 90 minutes were pure magic, a
performance par excellence that was long overdue.  Much of the enthralling show
was provided by striker V. Sundramoorthy, who was as slippery as an eel.  Sundram
scored the psychologically-important opener in the 9th minute and played pivotal
roles in the other three gems that found the net, one scored by substitute K.
Kannan and two by Czech strike-partner Michal Vana.  The strikers found that at
last there was someone in midfield with the vision and distribution to send that
first-time through pass.  That man was League debutant Syed Farouk.  There was
bite and cohesiveness at the back, provided by stand-in skipper Razali Saad, Lim
Tong Hai, Amin Nasir and Kadir Yahya.  And finally, there was venom in front of
goal.

Selangor was not without its moments.  After going off the field at half-time
trailing 0-1, it came back for the second half revitalized.  Its M'sian
internationals Zainal Nordin and Malek Rahman took control in midfield and spread
piercing passes that often had the S'pore defence working overtime.  Australians
Ross Greer and Tim Bredbury were always threatening to score.

In the 70th minute, K. Kannan replaced the injured Lim Tong Hai and it took him 9
minutes to put his name on the scoresheet.  Sundram sent a telling cross to Vana
who laid it back for the onrushing Kannan whack a volley home.  That killed
Selangor's challenge and the Lions gave its fans a night to remember two 2 more
superb goals from the hardworking Vana in the 89th and 91st minutes, off passes
from Malek Awab and Sundram.  That brings his goal tally to 8, one behind leading
scorer Zainal Abidin Hassan of Pahang with 9 goals.

Team general manager Patrick Ang was so pleased with the performance that he gave
out match bonuses of more than $1,000 per player.

Singapore's next match will be away to Johor in Aug 19.

The League will take a 2-week break because of the Barcelona Olympics.

Semi-Pro wrap-up
----------------

Pahang consolidated its perch at the top of the table by beating Sabah 3-1 at the
Darulmakmur Stadium.  Singaporean-import Fandi Ahmad put Pahang ahead in the 12th
minute.  Zulhamizan Zakaria added the second in the 22nd minute before Sabah's
Tuma Viteslav pulled one back in the 28th minute.  Zainal Abidin Hassan knocked
the final nail in Sabah's coffin in the 67th minute.  It was his 9th goal this
season, making him the leading scorer.

Terengganu's hopes of catching up with Pahang suffered a jolt when it was held
1-1 away to KL at the Merdeka Stadium.  Both goals were scored in the the first
half - KL's coming off the boot of Azman Adnan in the 12th minute, while Wan
Ezila Daud equalized for Terengganu in the 36th minute.

Perak defeated Negri Sembilan 2-0 at Ipoh's Perak Stadium.  P. Ravidran (44th)
and A. Elangovan (74th) were the scorers.

Johor and Sarawak drew 1-1 at the Larkin Stadium in JB.  Johor, displaying
indifferent form this season, hit home through midfielder Anuar Abu Bakar in the
58th minute.  Sarawak earned the equalizer from the penalty-spot conversion by
Australian deference Jeff Curran in the 85th minute.

How They Stand
--------------

Pahang          14   8   4   2   22    8   20
Terengganu      13   6   4   3   20   14   16
Perak           14   4   7   3   17   13   15
Negri Sembilan  14   5   5   4   17   18   15
Sarawak         13   5   5   3   11   10   15
KL              14   5   4   5   13   11   14
Johor           14   5   3   6   19   24   13
Sabah           14   4   4   6   14   23   12
Singapore       14   3   4   7   18   20   10
Selangor        14   2   4   8   11   21    8


League break for Barcelona Olympics
-----------------------------------

The League will take a 2-week break because of the Barcelona Olympics.

-- 
Edward Yew-Sih LIM			| Internet: edward@iti.gov.sg
Knowledge Systems Lab			| Bitnet:   edwardlim@itivax
Information Technology Institute	| Tel:      (65) 772-0902
National Computer Board of Singapore    | Fax:      (65) 777-3043
Newsgroups: soc.culture.asean