‘Red Giants are no lightweight’

KUCHING: Sarawak’s push for a quarter-finals berth in the Malaysia Cup got a timely boost with the recent suspension of two key Selangor players. The duo, Mohd Amri Yahyah and Mohd Bunyamin Omar were slapped with a three-match suspension after a fracas with Kelantan’s Mohammed Ghaddar during Selangor’s previous league match against Kelantan on June 29. 

Bobby Gonzales kembali menguatkan jentera serangan Sarawak

They were also fined RM1,500 each by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM). This means that the highly rated Bunyamin and Amri, who is also captain of the Red Giants will miss their team’s Malaysia Cup opener against Sarawak this Aug 22 in Kuching. 

Despite the gloomy mood in the Selangor camp, Sarawak coach Robert Alberts does not want his team to get complacent and take the Red Giants lightly. He wants the Crocs to give full focus playing against Selangor as the Red Giants are no lightweight. 

“They might look wounded with the absence of Amri and Bunyamin. Both are very experienced and gifted players. To me that is not the case as they have other good players in their squad who can cause us problems,” he added. 

With talented players like Bosko Balaban and Mohd Safiq Rahim playing for them, it might be business as usual for the Red Giants. The Crocs should be well aware of their capabilities. 

Alberts also pointed out that with Selangor acquiring the services of Rozaimi Abdul Rahman on loan from Sabah, they have further bolstered their team. He is not taking any chances and has asked his players to be cautious when they play Selangor. 

Alberts however, is not revealing his game plan but insisted that he has worked out a strategy to face the Red Giants. For the record, Sarawak lost to Selangor 0-1 in their Malaysia Super League (MSL) encounter on June 16 at Stadium Negeri. 

Alberts have revealed that Sarawak has successfully signed former national player Ronny Harun on loan from neighbours Sabah. His presence is expected to strengthen the Crocs’ shaky defence. “I initially wanted to sign him before the season started last year but failed. 

I’m glad that he’s finally here playing for Sarawak as he can do wonders for the team,” he said. With the inclusion of Ronny, he will be the third player to join Sarawak on loan for the coming Malaysia Cup competition after the arrival of Bobby Gonzalez and Shahrudin Yaakob. 

The trio are Sabah players and free agents as their team failed to qualify for the Malaysia Cup. 

Source: Borneo Post