FOREIGN IMPORTS THE NEXT PUZZLE

KOTA KINABALU: Foreign players are the only pieces missing from the Rhinos jigsaw puzzle ahead of the Malaysian League that kicks off on November 19.

On the local front, Rahman Zakaria said they have more or less identified the players.

“Speaking on the local players or local imports, it is almost a done deal. In fact we have identified the players that will be in the squad for the new season.

“In fact we already have a decent team (now) that can mount a strong challenge in the upcoming season,” the Rhinos team manager.

“Now it is only a matter of hiring the right foreign players to compliment the team,” he added.

Rahman’s statement is a clear hint that they are not looking for more new local players or local imports.

For the new season, Sabah have retained 18 players from last season, including four local imports.

Initially only 14 players were retained, but another three local players – David Johnny, Salvester Sindeh and Ebby Roy Raimon were reinstated at the eleventh hour.

However, Ronny Harun has opted to sign for Kedah which leaves 17 players left from last season’s squad.

The retained players are Chow Chee Wing, Ahmad Tharmini Saiban, Rezuan Muhammad Radzy, Munir Amran, Irwan Jamil, Harold John, Azrul Ejati Damsah, Hardy Charles Parsi, Mohd Radzi, Zulamri Muhammad, Henry Parsi, Rosdin Wasli, Zainizam Marjan, Bobby Gonzalez, Salvester Sindeh, David Johnny and Ebby Roy Raimon.

Two ex-Rhinos – Eddie Gapil and Sumardi Hajalan are also expected to sign for the team while another ex-Rhino Madzalan Emoi is also expected to be given another chance.

As for the local imports, Nafuzi Zain of Kelantan and Negeri Sembilan-born Wong Sai Kong are also most likely to don the Rhinos colours for the upcoming season.

Meanwhile, Drago Mamic was pleasantly surprised to see that there are so many players who wish to don the Rhinos colours next season.

The Rhinos head coach was really pleased to see this as they resumed training after a four-day Hari Raya festival break at the Likas Stadium yesterday.

Among those seen attending training with the Rhinos were ex-players in the likes of Madzalan, Joey Ryan Gundok, Aslik Mailin and one from KL Plus of Kuala Lumpur.

“I can see good Malaysian players around (in training) and I can see that there are a lot of players who want to play for Sabah. In fact this is a very good sign for the team,” said Drago.

So now, he added that it is important for these players to show good performances in training.

But deep inside, Drago knows which player or players have won his heart and among those ex-Rhinos it is likely that Madzalan could be given the chance to don State colours once again.

“It is my philosophy to have a strong domestic front. I want the team to be based on strong local players. So we need to be very careful on the kind of players (new) we need to strengthen the team.

“And once that is done then we need to choose or pick foreign players who can adapt into the team,” he added.

And Drago believes that on the local fronts things look pretty good or rather pretty encouraging!

Read More

DRAGO OPTIMISTIC

KOTA KINABALU: Drago Mamic is now a wiser man.

The Rhinos’ head coach believes he can turn the Rhinos into a formidable side now knowing what Malaysian football is all about. For the new season, the Croatian insists the Sabah team will not only rely on the foreign players.

“For me – this upcoming season – I want the local players to be strong. I’ll be working more on the locals because last season, I think that was our weakness,” said Drago when met at the Rhinos training scene at the Likas Stadium on Wednesday.

“Last season, I did not know much about the Malaysian League … and I had to start from scratch. But now I think it is only a matter of fine-tuning the team.

“I can also see that there is more quality in the team. Our young players are one year senior (for the new season) and this will be a plus for the team.

“Furthermore, the arrival of the new players would also be a big plus for the team,” said Drago.

Drago was impressed with the new players, including ex-Rhino Madzalan Emoi.

The other new faces are Kelantanese Nafuzi Zain of Kedah, Negeri Sembilan-born Wong Sai Kong of Perak and former Reserve League striker Eddie Gapil.

“After watching them in training for two days, I can see the quality in them. I’m also satisfied with our young players. They also showed good quality. I believe they can make progress this season.

Compared to last season, Drago said they are in a better situation now as far as their pre-season preparations are concerned.

“I’m happy with what I have seen. They have done a good job while I was on holiday. They followed the training programme I gave them.

The Rhinos were under assistant coach Khairul Azman Mohd before Drago’s arrival.

“They are an energetic lot,” said Drago while hoping that this attitude will continue for the rest of the season.

While the Rhinos have been having a kind of a light training where focus has been on fitness due to the fasting month, but when they return from the four-day Hari Raya festival break, Drago warned that the players can expect a torrid time.

“Training will be tough … very tough,” he warned.

“It will be tough training for 14 days,” he said, adding that in between they would also play friendly matches against local sides.

Drago also hinted that he is not planning to go on a pre-season tour, saying that doing their training locally would be fine.

“The only big match we are going to play is against DPPM of Brunei. I believe it has been slated for November 3,” said Drago.

But unlike last season where Drago was a little bit lost when asked on whether he could help guide the Rhinos to promotion – which they failed – this time – the no-nonsense Drago said: “This time we want to start our season strongly and end it strongly.”

This is a clear indication that promotion or rather winning silverware will be his top priority.

Read More

Madzalan looks set for comeback with Rhinos

KOTA KINABALU: Madzalan Emoi is the latest ex-Rhino to have shown interest to don the State colours for the new season.

The right-back player was seen undergoing training with the Rhinos the last couple of days and head coach Drago Mamic welcomes him, especially with his physical size.

“His presence will surely be a plus for the team,” Drago said, when met at the Rhinos training at the Likas Stadium on Wednesday.

While nothing has been finalised for Madzalan to make a comeback into the team, but if we are to take Drago’s comment, then Madzalan can proudly don the Rhinos colours once again after playing for Perlis for the last two seasons.

Madzalan was among those dropped by the Perlis FA for the new season leaving defender Mohd Reithuddin Embran as the only survivor among the three Sabahans that played for the Northern Lions last season.

Midfielder Joey Ryan Gundok was also shown the exit door leaving him team-less at least for now.

And like Madzalan, Joey has also shown his interest in making a comeback, and a reliable source claimed that Joey, who left Sabah last season, contacted team manager Rahman Zakaria expressing his desire to don Sabah colours once again.

Former Reserve League striker Eddie Gapil is also making a return into the State team. He already joined the Rhinos training, and the same goes for would-be new local import signings Wong Sai Kong of Negeri Sembilan (playing for Perak last year) and Kelantanese midfielder Nafuzi Zain (played for Kedah last season), who is believed to be signed on after the Sabah FA failed to land their target man – Rezal Zambery Yahya of Negeri Sembilan.

The other is Sumardi Hajalan. However, the Tawau-born player is currently with the national team and would only be around after the pre-World Cup qualifier against Bahrain later this month.

Regarding the foreigners, Drago said that Dragic Dalidor, who was initially released at the end of his three-month contract, is likely to be back.

“He is a proven defender and has a good track record,” Drago said.

“He will be here by next week. He asked for five days off to solve a personal problem back home,” said Drago.

Asked on Charles Obi, Drago said Obi will always be his first option.

“He is one of the best strikers in the Premier League or even the Super League. However, we have to see the development of his broken arm (Obi received eight screws on his arm after being involved in a car accident).

“If he can recover in time ahead of the kick off, he will be our first option, but this time we don’t want to make another mistake – if possible we must start with three foreign players from the first game,” Drago said.

The reason being, Drago said they need to kick off their campaign on a high note until the end. At the same time, he said that he is looking for a third foreign import – preferably an attacking midfielder.

Read More

NO PLACE LIKE HOME

KOTA KINABALU: It is a case of “there is no better place than home” for national left-back Sumardi Hajalan as he is poised to make a comeback into the State team after one season with Johor FC.

The Tawau-born Sumardi has expressed his desire to don the Rhinos colours once again in the upcoming new season. Team manager Rahman Zakaria confirmed this to the New Sabah Times Sport yesterday. Based on Rahman’s conversation with the latter, the matter can be categorised as a done deal. “I have been keeping in touch with him a few times and the last time I spoke to him was yesterday. “And he still keeps his intention clear and that is that he wants to play for Sabah for the new season. “In fact he approached us not so long ago telling us that he wants to play for Sabah, and we told him we are more than happy to welcome him back into the team,” said Rahman.

Sumardi is currently with the national team on a friendly tour in Australia preparing themselves for the upcoming World Cup qualifying match against Bahrain (on October 21).

“Before the start of the just concluded season, he came to us and told us that he wants to look for greener pastures elsewhere. We obliged to his request and he eventually signed for Johor FC.

“Although it was a mere one season playing outside Sabah, I think he has learnt a lot outside. I can see that he is more professional now and a better player as well.

And Rahman said Sumardi, 22, will be a great asset to the team. Rahman is expecting Sumardi to be back home after Malaysia’s World Cup qualifying match against Bahrain. For the record, Sumardi is also part of the national Under-23 side which won the Merdeka Cup tournament recently. Malaysia will also be banking on the squad under B. Sathianathan for the Korat Sea Games in December. Rahman also revealed that another ex-Rhino – Eddie Gapil – is also expected to don the Rhinos colours. Eddie, who is also a former national Under-19 player, is currently attached to the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM). For the new season, Sabah has retained 17 players for the new season, including Salvester Sindeh, David Johny and Ebby Roy Raimon, who was reinstated back into the squad.

However, the team is set to lose its former skipper Ronny Harun, who is expected to sign for treble winners Kedah. The rest of the players that have been retained include three local imports – Ahmad Tharmini Saiban, Chow Chee Wing and Rezuan Muhammad Radzy. The other players are all locals – skipper Rosdin Wasli, Zainizam Marjan, Bobby Gonzalez, Zulamri Muhammad, Azrul Ejati Damsah, Radzi Hussin, Irwan Jamil, Harold John, Charles Parsi and Henry Parsi.

Young goalkeeper Selawi Ahmad Jasad is also training with the team. Sabah are also in talks with two former national players in Rezal Zambery Yahya of Negeri Sembilan and Perak’s discard Wong Sai Kong.

Read More

FA reinstates duo into team

KOTA KINABALU: Two Rhinos – David Johnney and Ebby Roy Raimin – who were initially in the Sabah FA’s drop-list have been reinstated back into the team.

Striker Salvester Sindeh has also been recalled to attend training with the State squad in preparation for the new season that is expected to kick off in mid November.

Assistant coach Khairul Azman Mohd when met at the Rhinos light training at the Penampang Stadium on Tuesday said that the trio have been with the team since they started training late last month.

“There is an instruction from the team management for these players to join the squad,” said Khairul while refusing to comment further.

Khairul, the former national and Rhinos No 1 custodian is taking charge of the team – standing in for head coach Drago Mamic who is still on holiday.

He said during the past weeks, they have been doing fitness training, which is more to running as well as doing gym exercises.

“All these training programmes are set by the head coach. I’m here just merely to carry it out. But I’m happy to see that despite the fasting month the players all look energetic and seem to enjoy every moment.

“I hope that when Drago is back, our fitness level will no longer be a problem so that we can concentrate on other areas of the game.

“When we look at the kick off (new season), we don’t really have much time left so we just cannot waste any more time on fitness.

“But as I’ve said earlier, the fitness level of the players should be okay in another one week or so,” added Khairul.

Ebby and David were among the seven players dropped recently.

The rest are Clarrey Tabad, G. Jeevanatham, S. Suresh (both local imports), Felisberto De Oliveira Jr and Dragic Dalidor (both foreign imports).

But the team management had a change of heart and recalled both David and Ebby. In the case of Clarrey, he will be given a chance to prove his worth by attending trials with the team.

As for Salvester, he parted ways with the team towards the end of last season (on mutual agreement) due to work commitment.

There is also still no new development on P. Rajesh and Munir Amran, whose places in the team are still uncertain.

Those retained for the new season are Rosdin Wasli, Zainizam Marjan, Ronny Harun, Bobby Gonzalez, Azrul Ejati Damsah, Hardy Charles Parsi, Mohd Radzi Hussin, Zulamri Muhammad, Henry Parsi, Harold John and Irwan Jamil.

The contract of three local imports, Chow Chee Wing, Ahmad Tharmini Saiban and Rezuan Muhammad Radzy will also be extended. However, Ronny Harun as well as Chow Chee Wing were no where to be seen during the training.

But Khairul said: “Chow together with Wong Sai Kong (the Rhinos would-be new signing – local imports) were here last week. I believe they will be back and join the rest soon.”

Besides Wong Sai Kong, the Sabah FA is also eyeing former national midfielder Rezal Zambery Yahya.

As for the foreign players, the FA is eyeing former Inter Milan midfielder Ze Elias.

Nigerian striker Charles Obi has also been retained. However, his fate with the team will depend on the recovery of his broken arm that received eight screws following a car accident.

The other two players – Henry Soimpon and Burhan Ajui – have been offered coaching jobs by the FA.

Young goalkeeper Selawi Ahmad Jasad was also seen training with the team.

Read More

ADIOS RONNY

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah FA is unaware that its player Ronny Harun is deserting the team to join treble winners Kedah for the new season.

Its Executive Secretary Harry Baking said that they have not received any word from Ronny nor Kedah about the matter.

“It’s news to me,” said Harry when contacted to comment on a national newspaper – Berita Harian – report that the former national defender will don Kedah colours for the new season.

“It is normal procedure that if any player or team that wish to sign a player from elsewhere, the player or the particular team need to notify or inform the employer of the said player.

“In this case, Ronny is still a Sabah player because his contract will only end at the end of this month. And it would be wrong for him (Ronny) to start training with Kedah when he is still contracted to the FA.

“On the part of Kedah, it is not right for them to allow Ronny to start training with the team where they are fully aware that the player is still under contract with his previous team.

“But I don’t have to elaborate further on this matter because we don’t know how true the said report is. But if it is true, we will deal with it professionally according to the book.

For the record, Ronny is among the 14 players that have been retained by the Sabah FA for the new season.

And if it is true that he is currently training with Kedah while he is still contracted to the Sabah FA, he could be in hot soup and could even be suspended for the upcoming season for breach of contract.

Harry went on to say that they will not try to stop any of its players from joining other teams in the country.

“There is no point of retaining players who have no heart to play for the State. It is our principle only to sign players who are willing to sacrifice and commit themselves to the State team.

In its edition yesterday, Berita Harian, quoted the Kedah coach Azraai Abdullah that they are putting high hopes on their two local import signings – Ronny and Zainol Fitri of Kelantan.

Azraai went on to say that Ronny could have donned Kedah colours two seasons ago but due to family problems it did not materialise.

For the record, Ronny is among the highest paid local players in the Sabah team, where he is believed to receive a monthly income in the region of RM12,000.

Read More

SABAH FA EYEING EX-BRAZILIAN WORLD CUPPER

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah FA is about to make their second biggest foreign signing ever by eyeing former Brazil World Cupper José Elias Moedim Júnior.

The former Inter Milan star, popularly known as Zé Elias played for the Brazil national team from 1995 to 1999 with 22 caps under his belt.

He was also part of the Brazil squad that won a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, United States.

Zé Elias is a much-travelled professional, and besides having had a stint with the Italian giants, he also played for at least nine top clubs around the world such as Bayer Leverkusen (Germany), as well as top Brazilian outfits Santos and Corinthians.

His last club was a top Cyprus outfit AC Omonia, and now he is believed to be attached to La Liga outfit Levante of Spain.

The Sabah FA Executive Secretary Harry Baking yesterday confirmed to the New Sabah Times Sport that they are in talks with the 31-year-old midfielder.

If this turns into a reality, Zé Elias will be the second biggest signing ever made by the FA after the late David Rocastle.

The former England star donned Sabah colours for two seasons (1999-2000) before the FA of Malaysia decided to bar foreign players in the M-League. However, Harry refused to comment further on the negotiations, pointing out that it is still pretty much in the preliminary stage.

“It is still early to go into details as we are still in the first phase of negotiations. Nevertheless, we are serious to bring in an experienced player such as Zé Elias,” said Harry.

“What I can say now is the talks between the two parties are progressing smoothly,” he added.

Zé Elias began his professional career with Corinthians in 1993. He was one of the youngest ever players who played for the club.

Upon his debut for Corinthians, he had yet to reach his 17th birthday.

He played for the club until 1996 before looking for greener pastures where he signed for Bayer Leverkusen.

Following his impressive form for the German side, Zé Elias was snapped up by Italian giants Inter Milan after one season with Bayer Leverkusen and teamed up with countryman – three times FIFA World Player of the Year – Ronaldo – at Inter.

He played two seasons with Inter before joining Bologna. After a short stint with the Italian outfit, he signed for Greece’s Olympiacos.

He spent one season with the Greek outfit before heading back to Italy playing for Genoa.

After a season with Genoa, he returned home and played for another Brazilian top side Santos where he played alongside Real Madrid’s star Robinho.

He played for Santos from 2004 to 2006 before making a short stint with Ukraine’s Metalurh Donetsk.

After that he went back home and joined Guarani before signing for AC Omonia.

Read More