File photo of Hairol reacting during a Malaysia Cup match against Perak at Stadium Negeri last year. — Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: The development of home-grown players has always been a standard if unsung duty of any coach of a state side in the Malaysian League.
It is certainly part of the agenda for Robert Alberts.
The Sarawak head coach says all he needs is a bit of patience from local fans while he seeks to groom more exciting homegrown talents while at the same time maintain Sarawak’s status as a Super League team.
In the team’s season opener last Saturday – a 3-3 draw against Felda United – two of Sarawak’s three goals were scored by homegrown players Hairol Mokhtar and Shahrol Saperi.
“We talked about Hairol and Shahrol’s potential a few seasons ago as quality players. They are living up to the potential and I believe there will be more coming into the team,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.
Fans are also excited over the exploits of Shreen Tambi who made it in the starting line-up against Felda.
The youngster, a key player for the state’s President’s Cup and Sukma team last season, has continued to progress with his promotion into the senior team.
“Young players like Shreen are also performing well during the last match and I expect to see the same, if not better, performances from him if he is selected for the next match,” said Alberts.
He also emphasised the role of import players in helping and guiding local players.
“Imports who play for Sarawak must not only become key players. They should be role models for the local and young players to look up to.”
Meanwhile, the coach dismissed claims from some quarters who have already written off Sarawak’s chances of surviving the top tier league this year following the exodus of players at the end of last year.
He said it is up to him and the Crocs to prove that the reverse would be true in the coming matches.
Sarawak will next face Terengganu at Stadium Negeri in their second match on Saturday (Feb 14).