17 players sign with DYS FC for FAM Cup
KOTA KINABALU: Former state junior footballers will strengthen the DYS Football Club’s (DYS FC) challenge in the FAM Cup league 2016.
Seventeen players signed their contracts with the local clubside here on Tuesday night as they look to have a fine debut in the country’s third division football tournament, which is expected to kick off in March.
Among the footballers are former members of the state junior squad, namely Ibrahim Abu Nawas, Justin Samaan, Hafizan Jahar, Fneckley Baris, Mohd Shahrul Chankui, Mohd Arfiyanshah Abdul Jafar, Mohd Azlan Shah Hassan Nor and Benerlys Raim.
The rest of the players who have put pen to paper are Harnoman Appid, Mohd Azfar Ahaja, Asri Mudain, Abdeyfieyan Angkiang, Md Shahrul Asmadi, Md Helmi Ahlok, Alan Doliante, Abdul Hafiz Abdul Madina and Saad Abdul Talip.
DYS FC president Faisal Yee said each team could register up to 30 players but he revealed they would submit a 25-member squad for the FAM Cup.
Among the players named in the squad are an experienced few including Mohd Reithuddin Emran, Zainizam Marjan, Razid Gafar, Mohd June Azral Lalah, Billy Doliante,Md Azrie Basalie,Azrul Ejati Damsah dan Jufrey Omopor @ Amopor.
There were present at the ceremony but have yet to sign their contracts.
“We will have further negotiations with several players starting tomorrow (today), especially those who have been with the team all this while.
“All the players selected attended the ceremony, but as I said we need to have further discussions.
“The closing date of players’ registration (to the Football Association of Malaysia) is on January 18...we are confident of finalising the squad before that,” Faisal added.
Club patron Datuk Yusof Serangit expressed his hope that the players will show the true spirit of teamwork to achieve excellence in the competition.
According to Yusof, the club is now entering a new chapter since it was first formed and advised those under DYS FC to give it their all in order for the team to succeed.
Meanwhile, he said they are now in talks with several candidates from Peninsular Malaysia with License A to be the head coach of DYS FC.
The decision to look elsewhere for head coach was due to the fact that the state is short in numbers when it comes to coaches with License A qualification.
“Sabah do have coaches with such qualifications, but many of them are with Safa (Sabah Football Association).
“The FAM is strict when it comes to meeting the criteria but we are in talks with several candidates from Peninsular Malaysia to fill the position,” said Yusof, who witnessed the contract signing ceremony.
Yusof also announced at the same function that the team manager is Muhammad Abdul Karim, assistant coaches are Faisal and Rahman Mad Noor, goalkeeper coach Irwan Jami and safety officer Asmawi bair.
The squad are now looking for a fitness coach and physiotherapist apart from the head coach.
DYS FC are one of the two representatives from Sabah playing in the FAM Cup league, which is the country’s thirdtier football tournament after the Super League and Premier League.
The other team is KDM Malaysia football team KDMM FC, who will also be making their first appearance in the FAM Cup.
Sabah Cebagoo FC was the last team from the state to play in the FAM Cup in 2013 and 2014 before withdrawing from the campaign last season.