SINGAPORE POOLS FA CUP
SEMI-FINAL: TANJONG PAJAR UNITED V SAFFC

BY S GULAM
Nov 6, 1998

THE S-League's most lethal local striker is down with fever. And it could cost Tanjong Pagar United a rare Cup-final double.

Steven Tan, who has scored 16 goals for the Jaguars, is a doubtful starter for tomorrow's Singapore Pools FA Cup semi-final clash with SAFFC.

The former international has not trained for two days.

He turned up at the Queenstown Stadium yesterday. But he stayed on the sidelines.

SICK SINCE TUESDAY

Said Steven: "I've been having this fever since Tuesday. The temperature goes up and down.

"I feel quite weak."

Can he make recover in time?

"I don't know," he said.

"But I don't want to miss this match.

"I really want to play. I hope I can get better."

His coach is also hoping Steven recovers.

"He's my key player," said Tohari Paijan.

"It would be a terrible blow if he's ruled out."

Tohari's feelings are understandable.

Steven has really hit it off since Tohari took over as coach from Robert Alberts.

Nahar Daud will step in if Steven is ruled out. But Tohari is unsure of Nahar's hunger.

NO FIGHTING SPIRIT

"Look," he said pointing to Nahar running with the ball at the Jaguars Reserves' defence, "he's a reserve.

"He should be fighting for every ball and make sure every shot counts to get me excited about him.

"But where's the fighting spirit in him? Where's the hunger?

"But Nahar's not alone.

"The other reserves are also showing similar disinterest.

"If any one of them plays on Saturday, I hope he shows more fire."

Guess who's most feared?

GUESS who's the man Tanjong Pagar United coach Tohari Paijan fears most?

Surely V Selvaraj? For he's now shown to be the man for the big moment, scoring all the important winning goals, including last Sunday's sudden-death winner against Sembawang Rangers.

"He's good and he's coming back with the goals, but he doesn't worry too much," said Tohari.

Jure Eres? He may be the Warriors' topscorer, but he's not as sharp as he used to be, added Tohari.

NOT WORRIED BY NAZRI

Nazri Nasir? He's good. Very hardworking, very strong and last year's Footballer of the Year. "But we can neutralise him," he said.

J Jeyakanth? No, he's too young and too raw.

So who?

"It's Fandi Ahmad," said Tohari.

Are you sure? Don't they say Fandi is too old, too slow, not-so-sharp and merely living on his past glory?

"No, Fandi is the man I fear most tomorrow," repeated Tohari. "Did you see how he earned a freekick against Sembawang on the edge of the box last Sunday?

"To me, that was no freekick at all. But you saw how Fandi earned it? That's what I call experience. And there is no one better than Fandi when it comes to experience."

Tohari has another fear - his team's over-confidence.

"They seem too happy and they are smiling too much," he said. "I know they are confident because we held the Warriors at home and beat them away.