Junior Eldstal (centre) among the many who showed concern for Flight MH370 after the match against Lions XII at Stadium Negeri last Saturday. — Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: The emphatic 3-1 win over Lions XII has opened up exciting tactical options for head coach Robert Alberts as Sarawak continue the journey in the Super League.
Ironically, this situation came about after the team was forced into a crisis of limited options.
Fitness, injury and performance crisis have hit the strikers. Milorad Janjus and Muamer Salibasic are out injured.
Alireza Abbasfard has proven ineffective. And Akmal Rizal Ahmad Rakhli has yet to reach full match fitness.
That left the Crocs opting to play without a hitman against Lions XII.
For the match, both team captain Joseph Kalang and Mohd Rashid Aya played the advanced attacking roles with support from wingers Chanturu Suppiah and Ashri Chuchu.
The “new” tactical approach worked mainly because the players who took to the field had the mentality to score for the team whenever the opportunity arose.
“We don’t expect to play with no real strikers all the time but what we saw just now (last Saturday) was a true testimony of good team work. It comes to show that everyone in the team is fighting hard for a win every time we play,” Alberts said on Saturday after the match.
“What matters most is that everyone works hard to ensure a win.”
The lack of a strike force is expected to be alleviated to some extent when the Crocs take on Selangor in the next home match on March 25.
By then, fans can look forward to the debut of newly signed Australian striker Ryan Griffiths.
Meanwhile, however, Sarawak have to face last year’s Malaysia Cup champions Pahang this Saturday (March 22) at the Darul Makmur Stadium.
After playing seven games in the Super League so far, the team has collected 12 points and is currently third in the league standings just behind Terengganu and Kelantan.