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| Bobby Gonzales |
KUCHING: Despite the crisis surrounding the Football Association of Sarawak (FAS), Sarawak will be competing in the Malaysia Cup after all and the present state football coach Robert Alberts remained as the chief coach of the team.
The matter was confirmed by FAS president Datuk Sudarsono Osman. The statement should stop all speculations that Alberts will be leaving the team for better offer in the Indonesian League.
Sudarsono also confirmed that they have enlisted two Sabah players on loan, striker Bobby Gonzales, 28, and midfielder Sharudin Yakup, 26.
“We hope they will resolve our problem of scoring goals,” he said, and urged the fans to continue supporting the team during the Malaysia Cup campaign which begins on September 23.
And, on Tueasday both players were in Kuching to join the team’s training.
Assistant coach Farhan Abdullah said the two players are on loan to Sarawak to play in the prestigious Malaysia Cup.
Gonzales played for Sarawak last season and was the team’s top scorer with 16 goals. He however left Sarawak to play with home state Sabah this season.
Sabah did not qualify for the Malaysia Cup this season.
Bobby said he was ready to help his former team to score as many goals as he could but knew very well that it was not an easy job.
He thanked the SAFA for releasing him to play for Sarawak team and to FAS for still having trust in him although he have left the team.
Meanwhile Shahrudin was delighted that FAS has given him the opportunity to play in Sarawak team in the Malaysia Cup.
He said he will give his best and use his past experience playing with teams in Peninsula Malaysia to help Sarawak in the Malaysia Cup.
Before joining Sabah this season, Shahrudin has played for Kuala Lumpur and Sime Darby team.
Both players has been given three months playing contract with FAS.
Farhan has said the service of the two players was sorted for to beef up the team’s engine room and the strike force.
The Malaysia Cup and the Super League are two different ball games and expected to be very competitive as 14 top teams in the Malaysia League will compete for the title.
Farhan said the team is now focusing on the Malaysia Cup tournament and despite the fasting month they are having their training as usual.
He said they also planned to play at least three friendly matches in Peninsula Malaysia including two matches against Johor FC and Johor FA teams from August 8 – 11.
“We plan to go for the friendly match tour in the first week of next month but we are still waiting for the management’s approval on the proposed tour.
“We plan to have at least three friendly matches as these matches are important to keep the players prepared for the Malaysia Cup challenge,” said Farhan.
He said although Sarawak suffered relegation to the Premier league next season but the team still have good chances in the Malaysia Cup.
“We can spring surprises in the Malaysia Cup provided the players give their full focus and consistent in their games,” he said.
He said Sarawak actually played very well in the first league of the Super League but due to inconsistency in their games in the second leg of the league has caused the team’s relegation to the Premier League next season.
Farhan said with Hairol Mokhtar dan Rasyid Aya back in training with the team after their long injuries would be able to strengthen the team for the Malaysia Cup challenge.
He said all the other players including their Cameroon imports, Guy Bwele and Joel Epalle are fit to play.
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