Singapore: Crown title up for grabs
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| Asia |
June 25, 2005
Eddie dos Passos
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By Eddie dos Passos/Singapore Hockey Federation
Defending men’s Premiership holders and league leaders Singapore Recreation Club are two games away from posting another undefeated championship season and take the first step with spirited Jansenites today at Delta Sports Complex.
Entering the fray injury free and without any suspensions to their cause, SRC show every indication of clinching their 11th victory on their march to the final next week where they play the winner of the Chenab Hockey Club versus Singapore Cricket Club (played at 5pm).
The emphasis will undoubtedly fall on how SRC hope to accomplish their mission as they take on a Jansenites side that has shown huge potential in their buildup to the semis.
Edwin Tan, SRC captain has already hinted on how his side will tackle Jansenites and was boosted after giving his players an “excellent” assessment but they will have to rely more on planned strategy if they want to advance to the next level.
“We will go out to get an early goal. This will force them to open up their play and allow us to attack,” said Tan. “The key to winning is to maintain our performance consistently. I believe we have the most well-balanced side in the league.”
Only last Sunday, Jansenites literally had to fight for their semi-final berth when the fourth placed team took on fifth placed Ceylon Sports Club in a winners-take-all clash.
With only one point separating the two sides, Jansenites needed only to draw but where taken to task by a nine man CSC team, who were missing key players through injury, suspension and pure unavailability.
That was not to stop Jansenites from coming away with a commanding display and promising SRC a good game.
“After the CSC game last week, the team is quietly confident of a good showing! The confidence and the spirit of the team is high,” said Charles John, Jansenites deputy captain.
“We know that SRC are a good team but this weekend, we will play to our strengths and will try to exploit their weakness. We have improved tremendously over the last few games and we believe we have an even chance to move forward,” he said.
Jansenites were boosted by the news that they take on SRC in the best possible shape with John promising to give SRC a fight to the finish.
“At present, we have no injury updates and no suspensions. With a full squad at hand, we certainly hope to have a great game and intend to go on the offence right from the start!” he said.
In an earlier semi-final, second placed Chenab pits wits with Singapore Cricket Club, who finished the league in fourth, in a show of first half force that is likely to determine the outcome.
Many fans have called Chenab a one-half team and they can prove their skeptics wrong by dousing out any SCC challenge with a strong display.
But SCC are a side that cannot be ruled out as they have shown time and again this season to come up winners when you least expect them and was prominently shown in their 4-1 mauling of Chenab two weeks ago.
This is as clear an indication that SCC have improved after the first meeting between the two sides ended in a 3-1 defeat to Chenab in early April.
As can be expected, fans will be treated to good old fashion tactical hockey that is sure to ignite the fire of enthusiasm for the game.
Semi-final schedule at Delta Sports Complex:
1. Chenab Hockey Club vs Singapore Cricket Club, 17.00
2. Singapore Recreation Club vs Jansenites, 19.00
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