Search for import players goes on
Sabah FC hope to fulfill the five import players quota to strengthen the squad in preparation for the Malaysian League competition this season.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah FC hope to fulfill the five import players quota to strengthen the squad in preparation for the Malaysian League competition this season
Team manager Ahmad Marzuki Nasir said they only need three import players as they had retained the services of Park Tae Su (defender) and Dennis Buschening (striker) from last year's squad.
“We already have some import players in mind, but are currently facing several constraints to bring them here (Sabah) due to the ongoing Covid-19,” he said.
Among the players on Sabah FC's wish lists is Jamaica's national striker, Danbe Kelly, who once played for the DC United in the US Major League Soccer (MLS) competition.
Marzuki said there is a possibility that the Malaysia League competition will be postponed due to the Covid-19 crisis.
“If it is postponed, then we will have more time to prepare. Based on the initial schedule, the Super League competition will start at the end of February, which is unfair for Sabah FC as we are unable to train during the movement control order (MCO) period,”said Marzuki.
Sabah is among the six states and federal territories under the MCO where recreational and sports activities including team training are not allowed.
The other states and federal territories are Penang, Selangor, Malacca, Johor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan.
The states under the conditional MCO are Pahang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan. In addition, Kuching, Sibu and Miri in Sarawak are also under the conditional MCO.
The states under the recovery MCO are Perlis and Sarawak (except Kuching, Sibu and Miri).
The implementation of MCO, CMCO and RMCO is scheduled for two weeks from January 13 to January 26.
Marzuki said currently players are training at home under a training program provided by head coach Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto.
“We have also planned to hold a warm-up match with other teams but will depend on the Covid-19 situation,” said Marzuki.
Meanwhile, the last couple of days have seen Sabah FC tying down contracts to players and staff.
“Only Rawilson Batuil signed his contract earlier as he had to return to his village for family emergency, while the rest of the squad signed their contracts on Friday while staff today (Saturday).
“The signing of contracts also took some time to complete as we have to meet each player and staff one by one in complying with the standard operation procedures (SOPs),” said Marzuki.
Players who had signed their contract are Rawilson (defender), Mohd Azwan Fattah (defender), Evan Wensley Wenceslaus (defender), Ummareng Bacok (winger), Ariusdius Jais (striker), Ricco Nigel Milus (midfielder), Rahman Shah Marajeh (striker), Mohd Syukri Baharun (midfielder), Dendy Lowa (defender), Mohd Azizan Nordin (midfielder), Sabri Sahar (midfielder), Jenius Karib (defender), Alto Linus (winger) and Rozaimie Rohim (goalkeeper).
All players are from last season's squad, including two import players, namely Park and Dennis.
The only new face in the squad is Bobby Gonzales, who used to play for Sabah and other teams including Brunei DPMM, Sarawak, PDRM FC, KL Plus FC, Felda United, PKNS FC, Perak and Penang.
The last time Bobby played for Sabah was in 2008 while Penang was his last team for last season.
Several more players are expected to sign their contracts in the near future.