Penang show their prowess

PENANG’s football greats showed that they still have it in them when they stood out prominently in their taming of the Singapore Lions.

Although age has caught up with players like Moey Kok Hong, Yong Woon Seang, Seah Chee Guan, Thoong Chee Eng and former natio-nal striker Chong King Kong, who in their heyday were influential figures for the Penang Panthers in the professional arena of the Malaysian football League, they still have not lost their touch.

They showed their capability when they featured for the Penang Chinese against the Singapore Chinese in the annual showdown for the Choo Kwai Low Cup in Penang recently.

Kok Hong, in particular, not only managed to maintain his trim shape, but was instrumental in helping Penang to an easy 3-0 win at the City Stadium.

The former national attacking midfielder, who drifted from his homestate to feature for teams like Perak and Negri Sembilan in the 90’s, was still his deadly self as he helped Penang dominate the proceedings right from the first whistle.

With Penang having failed to grab the lead despite consistently punching holes in the Singaporean defence, it was his well taken free kick that enabled them to break the deadlock.

Forcing a free kick just outside the penalty box, Kok Hong stepped up to send a crisp grounder past many legs and a rooted Singaporean keeper Ronald Tan Hwee Yang to put Penang into the lead after 15 mi-nutes.

There was no looking back for Penang and the moment Ronald failed to catch clean another Kok Hong attempt in the 33rd minute, it was Woon Seang’s turn to find the net, stabbing home the loose ball to put Penang two up at the breather.

Although Singapore doubled their effort to get back into the game after the breather, it was all over for the visitors when centre- back Chan Kheng Siang weaved past the entire Singapore defence line to land home the third goal in the 66th minute to put their victory beyond doubt.

Singapore Chinese FA president Gan Cheng Song, who led the team to Penang, however, was still upbeat despite the defeat.

He said: “Winning is not the criterion in such annual clashes.

“As far as I am concerned, what is more important and meaningful is the continued interaction between us and Penang.

He said: “For that, we do have former Malaysian Chinese FA president Lee Soon Huat, who incidentally is also the former Penang Chinese FA president, to thank as it was his decision to donate the Cup about 10 years ago that has enabled us to maintain such a rapport with Penang.”

Penang Chinese FA president Sonny Soon praised his charges for displaying such hunger in their game.

“Our performance clearly reflects our determination in wanting to emerge outright winners,” said Sonny, who is now looking forward to Penang retaining the Cup when they make their way to the Republic next year.

“While it has allowed us to make up for the disappointment of our last meeting finishing in a 1-1 stalemate, we can surely take pride in the seriousness of our players despite the match being played more on a friendly basis,” he added.