Sports

Wednesday November 4, 2009

Kunalan could be more than a handful for Kelantan

Stories by ERIC SAMUEL

PETALING JAYA: Negri Sembilan midfielder S. Kunalan is a sleek little devil on the pitch.

The pint-sized rookie international from Semenyih is going to be one hell of a problem for Kelantan to deal with in the Malaysia Cup final at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Saturday.

Kunalan has been a real menace for opponents with his nippy dribbling skills and penetrating runs inside the box. In short, he could dash the hopes of the Red Warriors to win their first major silverware in senior level Malaysian football.

Negri’s ace: S.Kunalan and Patrice Evra fighting for the ball during the Malaysia-Manchester United match recently.

Kunalan and his comrades will be out to secure Negri’s only second Cup success since they last emerged as the champions in 1948.

“It has been a long time and as a Negri-born I want the Malaysia Cup to come home again,” said 23-year-old Kunalan, who first made his mark for NS Academy against the Jempol Devils in the NS Dunhill football league final five years ago.

“It was my first big break in football before I won my place in the state youth team.”

Kunalan was named “man-of-the-match” in the 2-0 win over Jempol Devils and he earned a call-up to the Negri Under-19 squad before graduating to the senior team to become a regular feature in Wan Jamak Wan Hassan’s side.

“I have to thank a lot of people for my steady rise in the game, especially my youth team manager, Satwant Singh, who has guided me in my playing career,” he said.

Kunalan made his debut in the senior national team under K. Rajagopal this year.

“My biggest moment thus far was getting to play against the Red Devils (Manchester United) this year,” he said.

Kunalan has become an important cog in the Negri team, playing an attacking role and setting up chances to score for Mohd Zaquan Adha Abdul Razak, Shahurain Abu Samah and Hairuddin Omar. He has also put his name on the scoresheet six teams in all competitions this season.

Satwant said that Kunalan has improved by leaps and bounds since he first spotted him in the Dunhill League five years ago.

“This boy has made such a tremendous impact on the Negri team that he earned a call-up to the national senior side,” said Satwant.

“Kunalan has a great future ahead of him and should be on the wanted list by many teams for his hard work rate and penetrating runs.

“He showed no jitters against the visiting Manchester United team and I won’t be surprised if he turns out to be the match winner for Negri in the Malaysia Cup final on Saturday.”

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