Asia

By Eddie dos Passos/Singapore Hockey Federation

Chenab Hockey Club (CHC) kept themselves in the chase for a top two finish in the Men?s Premier League when they started the day with a comprehensive 3-1 victory over Singapore Cricket Club (SCC) at the Delta Sports Complex yesterday.

But their effort only kept them in second place as league leaders Singapore Recreation Club (SRC) cruised to a 4-1 victory over Ceylon Sports Club (CSC) in a later match to remain the only unbeaten side this season.

Chenab opened up the game through an Ahmad Abdullah field goal in the 16th minute, then they extended their lead from a penalty corner from Minanu Rahman (27th minute).

After the break, SCC saw a glimmer of hope and kept them selves in the game as Owen Jones converted from a 51st minute penalty corner but Maninderjit Singh 66th minute goal kept the three points safe for CHC, who remain in second place on 12 points.

Denis Pereira, CHC coach felt that their win yesterday was diminished by the fact that they had lost their earlier encounter with SRC, a narrow 3-2 loss that currently is costing them the league standing?s top position.

SCC?s Kevin Nunis conceded their defeat to numerous defensive errors but felt that they were still improving despite notching up their second defeat in successive weeks. They remain in third place while CSC stays put in fourth place.

?We made too many errors that allowed the opposition to score against us,? Nunis said.

SRC remain on top of the standings on maximum points, 15 from five matches after notching up the victory over CSC with goals from Raja Segaran (2ndminute), Tan Kwee Yong (18th and 42nd) and Dexter Kang (65th) while CSC scored a consolation penalty corner from Hazmi Ibrahim (58th).

SRC?s coach Jude Felix thought his side were unable to convert the chances that came their way.

?The score line did not reflect the way we should have played. After scoring early in the game, we became complacent. It was especially difficult when you have nine players coming back to defend,? Felix said.

The second half turned out differently as CSC, a goal down, opted to for an attacking flair. It proved to be their downfall as they conceded three goals as they left gaping holes in their defensive wall.

?I thought we had a better second half as we were able to score and had three penalty corners,? said Hazmi Ibrahim, CSC?s skipper.

?We had a defensive first half but being a goal down, it was decided to play attacking hockey. I felt we did exceptionally well against a stronger and experienced side,? he said.

Meanwhile Jansenites beat Police 3-0 in the last match of the evening but still remain bottom of the standings despite both sides have the same number of points - three. Only a better goal difference keeps Police from holding up the standings.

Full results:

1. CHC 3 SCC 1

2. SRC 4 CSC 1

3. Jansenites 3 Police 0

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