D-Day For Muratovic

Vedran Muratovic

KUCHING: The signing of Croatian import striker Vedran Muratovic by Sarawak could be finalised by today.

The Crocs hope the signing will solve the team’s perennial problem of being constrained by a toothless strikeforce.

Football is about scoring goals and to do that, good strikers are essentials.

“We will only know whether to sign him or not tomorrow (today) as we have to look further of his abilities and how well he gels with the squad.

“Muratovic will get his chance whether he proves his worth or not,” commented coach Robert Alberts.

Sarawak are currently in need of a skilled attacker after missing Kalle Sone, their import striker from Cameroon who is out with a long-term groin problem.

The Crocs’ lack of options in attack and the absence of a potent striker were the main factors as to why the Crocs failed to find the net in their previous three matches.

Sarawak, along with all the team competing in the Malaysia Super League (MSL) has until Feb 13 to finalise the signings of all their import players.

Judging by the extent of Kalle’s injury coupled by Sarawak’s rather ‘blunt’ strike force and the limited time space that the Crocs have to find import players, Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) might be tempted to sign Muratovic as a quick fix solution.

The Croat formerly plays for L’Entente SSG in France and Bosnian giant NK Celik Zenica. He was recently released by his club and is now a free agent.

“We still need to see his qualities. So far it looks promising,” commented Alberts on Vedran, as FAS has other things to consider like his fitness, injuries and registration with Football Association of Malaysia.

“We are still looking at Muratovic. He earned a closer look and we are assessing him. He will be given a chance to dazzle his skills today. Hopefully by then, FAS will be in a better position to decide whether to sign him or not,” said an FAS official.

The player’s agent, Jules Onana, is expected to be in Kuching sometime this week to formalise the contract with FAS.