No import, no win, no cup

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Sarawak’s Mohd Lot Abu Hassan (right) vying for the ball with Perak’s Abdulafees Abdulsalam at the Stadium Negeri on Saturday. — Photo by www.asiana.my

KUCHING: Sarawak’s 2014 season may best be remembered for the absence of her import players.

And Saturday night was the ultimate.

The team had played without injured Muamer Salibasic for almost the whole season. Then it was Hassan El Mohamed who, despite only joining in mid season, has not seen action for months.

The two remaining imports, who have soldiered on in the current Malaysia Cup, were also out of action for Saturday’s match.

Ryan Griffiths was injured and Gabor Gyepes suspended. So it was an all-local side that was fielded.

The result was costly.

A 1-1 draw with Perak at the Stadium Negeri was the last nail in the coffin for Sarawak. With only four points after five matches in Group B, they now bid farewell to the Malaysia Cup.

Although there is still one more match to play (against Terengganu away), it is impossible for the Crocs to finish second place in the group to qualify. Current group leaders Perak and Terengganu have already collected eight points each.

Sarawak head coach Robert Alberts could only put up a brave front when he spoke after the match.

“We gave everything we had tonight but at the end of the day, the result did not favour us. I won’t be disappointed with this outcome in the tournament as we did all we can to win it.”