Robert Alberts
KUCHING: Like any other team competing in the Malaysia Cup, Sarawak too has set its sights on winning the Malaysia Cup, said team manager Datuk Mohd Abu Bakar Marzuki.
“We have a strong team for the Malaysia Cup and we want to be the champion.
Hopefully we can achieve the target,” Abu Bakar told Bernama here yesterday adding that even if there are players injured or facing match suspension, there were still capable reserve players who can rise to the occasion.
He added that to prepare for the Malaysia Cup, the team will go for a playing tour in Bandung, Indonesia.
“Our team needs to play friendly matches with good teams over there (Bandung) to keep the team’s momentum when facing the tough Malaysia Cup tournament,” he added.
He said the Crocs will travel to Indonesia on July 17, and play three friendly matches there against Persib Bandung on July 21 at the Siliwangi Stadium, Persabaya Surabaya on July 23 at the Jatidiri Stadium and against PSIS Semarang on July 25, also at the Jatidiri Stadium.
According to Sarawak coach Robert Alberts, the Crocs had wanted to play their pre-Malaysia Cup friendly matches in Vietnam but was forced to abort the plan due to technical problems.
The last time Sarawak qualified for the Malaysia Cup was in 1999 but lost 1-2 to Brunei.
Speaking of his four foreign players, Abu Bakar said all of them should be fit for the Malaysia Cup challenge, adding that all of them will also be going to Indonesia with the team.
Three import players – Muamir Salibasic, Gabor Gyepes and Hassan El Mohamad had missed several matches in the Super League competition due to injuries while Australian Ryan Griffiths has been a pillar of strength in the team since joining the squad. — Bernama