EXTRA TIME WIN: Sarawak’s Milorad Janjus challenged by Penang players during their FA Cup first round match at the Stadium Negeri in Petra Jaya, Kuching last night. Sarawak edged Penang 2-1 with an extra time goal scored by Janjus in the 99th minute. Earlier, the Crocs took the lead through a header by Alireza Abbasfard in the 75th minute. With normal time victory within grasp, Penang stunned the hosts with an equaliser by Mohd Baser Napae in the 92nd minute to take the match into extra time only for Janjus to spare the Crocs the blushes with his extra time winner. — Photo by Chimon Upon
Letting the best players rest on the bench is not good for the players and will have a negative effect on the national squad. Robert Alberts, Sarawak coach
KUCHING: The signing of too many national players by some teams in the Super League will adversely affect the performance of the national team says Sarawak coach Robert Alberts.
He said national players who had to play second fiddle to import players or compete among themselves would find it difficult to get into the first team.
Many would end up warming the bench which could shatter their morale and deprive them of match fitness when they play international matches.
Alberts said national players should be frequently in action to maintain their consistency and sharpness.
The Dutch coach was referring to several leading national players in the Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) squad who had been relegated to fringe players .
“Letting the best players rest on the bench is not good for the players and will have a negative effect on the national squad,” Alberts told Bernama.
Alberts believed the national coach would be hard-pressed in preparing the team for international tournaments if the situation continued.
Commenting on the current Super League season which began last week, Alberts said he found the standard to be higher with the presence of many import players.
“It is interesting to see several teams racing to bring in high calibre players to strengthen their squads as only teams which are consistent will emerge champions,” he said.
He tipped six teams, JDT, Kelantan, Armed Forces, Selangor, Lions XII and Pahang to the forerunners for the Super league title this season.
Alberts also did not rule out Sarawak giving the six teams a run for their money as he was targeting the state team to finish in the top six this season.
Sarawak who is the Premier League champions were defeated 0-2 in their first Super League match by Armed Forces at the Selayang Stadium in Kuala Lumpur last Saturday.
Alberts is keeping his fingers crossed that Muamer Saibasic, who injured his knee in the match and another injured import player, Junior Eldstal, would regain match fitness soon. — Bernama