The Crocs line up before the Malaysia Cup match against JDT at the Stadium Negeri last week. — photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: Sarawak take on Selangor away at Stadium Selayang in the Malaysia Cup tonight (Aug 1).
The team is still looking for its first win after losing three and drawing once so far.
Most fans have stopped blaming the tough group (JDT and Perak are the other two teams) for Sarawak’s current predicament. In fact, even most die-hard fans can be forgiven for giving up any hope of the Crocs making the next round. With only two group matches left for each team, only the bravest among them dare think that a win tonight might still offer a glimpse of hope.
Count Pengiran Bala as one of them. Last Saturday’s 0-2 loss to JDT at home yeilded some praises from the interim head coach who felt the Crocs gave a satisfactory performance against this season’s runaway Super League leaders.
Perhaps he has a good point. At the end of it all, everything comes down to the Super League.
Stop the angst over a lost cause. As some critics of the team put in, Sarawak’s adventure in the 2017 Malaysia Cup seemed over even before it started.
What is left for the Crocs to fight? Except relegation from the Super League especially with just four more matches remaining in the season.
And pain is all around. Even Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) president Datuk Posa Majais has to fight rumours that he is stepping down amidst the tough going.
“I am only FAS president for eight months now and I believe next season we will be more prepared as team. As for now, we have no choice but to focus on the Super League survival,” he told reporters yesterday.
Sarawak currently sits second from the basement in the country’s top-tier league. The Crocs surface to play Penang next at Stadium Negeri on Aug 5.