‘Nine lives’ for SarawakFA turns to fans to cheer on 9th-placed Crocs, with nine matches to go

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Sudarsono (sixth right) with Sim (fourth right), FAS officials and the Sarawak Super League team during the breaking of fast at BCCK on Wednesday night. — Photo by Mohd Rais Sanusi

Sudarsono (sixth right) with Sim (fourth right), FAS officials and the Sarawak Super League team during the breaking of fast at BCCK on Wednesday night. — Photo by Mohd Rais Sanusi

KUCHING: Football Association of Sarawak president Datuk Sudarsono Osman is optimistic that the state team can change fortunes in the remaining nine matches of the Super League this season.

“If I look at the matches we have played so far against the best teams, we have been able to match them like against the JDT FC and so on, we were not outplayed except for the game in Perak,” he said.

“Looking at past performances, we need to better our finishing, and we need luck as well.

“The team are working hard and I believe the harder we work, the luckier we get, so I am optimistic,” he told reporters after the breaking of fast with the team players, officials, LEA Holdings (M) Sdn Bhd managing director Raymond Sim and his staff as well as reporters at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Wednesday evening.

Sudarsono said at the heart-to-heart talk between the FAS management and players a few days ago, FAS found the positives out of the meeting.

“The players have promised that they will be going all out for the remaining nine matches of the Super League.

“I have trust, faith and belief in the players and all the players put their hearts together, put their hearts for Sarawak, God-willing, we will be able to turn around the fortunes,” he said.

The president said in the previous matches that Sarawak had played except for the game against Perak, the boys had created a lot of scoring chances but they were not utilising their chances.

“Obviously, the players are under a lot of stress. After the team talk two days ago, I hope they will feel more comfortable, they will be able to feel more relaxed so that they can express themselves with performances on the field,” he added.

Sudarsono said the absence of some key players like Rames Lai (toe) and Ronny Harun (hamstring) also affected the performance of the team in previous matches.

Admitting that this was a difficult time for the team, Sudarsono hoped spectators and fans will urge them on instead of putting them under more stress.

“I am calling on the supporters to play their role to support the team and to give the players all the encouragement they need,” he urged.

He said although FAS demands results from the team, they don’t want to stress out the players but they will not compromise on discipline and teamwork.

“Basically, all players realise that they all have to do their part and they are responsible for whatsoever the results and they have responded positively. If you look at their faces tonight, you see good harmony in the team. This is time that we need to trust each other,” he said.

Sudarsono also admitted there was a lot of pressure on the players but FAS will try to use it to bring out the best of them.

“The players need to learn to respond to the pressure. Being professionals, after the team talk, we try to use the pressure to bring out the best in them,” he added.

Asked whether if FAM will take action against FAS on the fans misbehavior in the home match last week between Sarawak and Felda United, Sudarsono said: “We have rules, there are things you can do and things you can’t do as far as the spectators’ behaviour is concerned

“Each time we breach the rules, we will be in trouble and you are subject to actions. We are not the only club, all the other clubs will be subject to the same rules.

“I am seeking the cooperation of all the supporters to behave and comply to the rules when you are in the stadium,” he said, stating that FAS does not want unwanted incidents to happen in Stadium Negeri.

Sarawak are now in ninth spot in the Super League standings having played 13 games, won three, drawn four and lost six games. They scored 15 goals and conceded 20 and have collected 13 points thus far.

Their next match is an away match against Terengganu at Stadium Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, Gong Badak at 10pm tomorrow.