Sabah, Pahang, Brunei for Datuk Saravanan Cup in Labuan

Labuan: IT will be "Big Time" football here from December 12th to 14th when premier league team from Pahang, DPPM Brunei and Sabah, fight it out in the inaugural "Datuk M Saravanan, Deputy Federal Territories Minister Invitation Football Tournament," that will be held at the Labuan Sports Complex Football Stadium. Saravanan is also the MIC FT Liaison Committee Head.

The tournament is organised by MIC Layang-Layang Branch head, Suresh Muniandy and Labuan Ferry Corporation Sdn Bhd, is the main sponsor of the event.

The winner stands to pocket the top cash prize of RM5,000 with the runners-up collecting trophies. Additional prizes are for Best Player, Goalkeepeer, striker, defender, midfielder and for fair play.

Suresh said that it was planned to hold the tournament on an annual basis and would welcome others to be joint sponsors.

According to Operations Director of LFC Shamsul Sahari, the purpose of the sponsorship was to enable Labuan to enjoy good and interesting football by proven teams.

He added that the company also felt it was a social obligation to promote sports. He said the opening ceremony for the tournament would be by Papar Member of Parliament, Datuk Rosnah Shirlin while the closing by Saravanan.

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Last chance for hopefuls

KOTA KINABALU: The Rhinos’ hopefuls will have the last opportunity to impress the Sabah FA selectors when they take on the ex-Rhinos in a friendly match scheduled for Saturday at the Likas Stadium.

The FA will be using the friendly to have the final look at all the players before they name their squad for the 2009 season.


“This is also a venue for us to have a glance at our squad for the new season. It will also enable us to know how far the team have come in their preparations,” said Rahman Zakaria.

“Since we are taking on all of our ex-players, we hope the current squad can gain something from the match.

“And once we have finalised the squad, then we will go full swing in our preparations,” the Rhinos’ team manager added.

“There is not much time left because the new season is expected to kick off in early January,” Rahman admitted.

At the moment there are about 21 hopefuls seeking a place in the State squad.

With the “loyal 12” players from last season’s squad likely to have their contracts extended for another season, that means there are between 10-13 vacant slots left in the team as the FA is looking at a squad of between 22-25 players for the new season.

The “loyal 12” are Rosdin Wasli, Zainizam Marjan, Zulamri Muhammad, Hardy Charles Parsi, Irwan Jamil, Mohd Salawi Jasad, Henry Parsi, Azrul Ejati Damsah, Zuraindey Jumai, Harold John, Mohd Radzi Hussin, and Mohd Farid Saibun.

Among those hopefuls who are likely to get the nod are Zaykiel Leong, Billyton Vun Ket Ming, Gasili Pengalot, Mafry Balang as well as Mohd Fariss Azlan from Kuala Muda Naza.

With the exception of Mohd Fariss, the rest of the players are no strangers to the team, as they are either ex-Rhinos or ex-Reserve League players.

Zuneral Lalah, Clarrey Tabad, Restu Emat, Rezuan Aman Khan, whom are also ex-Rhinos also stand a chance to don the Rhinos colours once again.

There are also several new faces as well as from the Reserve League who have been impressive during trials.

Among them are a 22-year-old striker Alto from Keningau.

Kinabatangan man Hamidin Amat, who had a short stint with Sarawak, is also in the frame for the State team.

Those from the Reserve League and Under-19 squad trying their luck are Taufik, Sylvester Saini, Andrew Adan, Nazly Puasa and Azuan Aman Khan.

There are also a few more new faces eager to play for the State team.

For the record, the deadline for registration of players for the new season is on Dec 1.

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Duo staying put

KOTA KINABALU: Midfielders Zuraindey Jumai and Mohd Radzi Hussin have received lucrative offers from other states, but Rahman Zakaria insists they are not going anywhere!

The Rhinos’ team manager said none of the current players from last season’s squad who are currently training with the team will be going anywhere.

“None of them will be leaving the team, including Zuraindey and Mohd Radzi,” said Rahman, when met at the Rhinos’ friendly match against a local side, Beverly FC on Sunday.

“I have spoken to both players, and they admitted receiving offers from another team. But they are not going anywhere. They have expressed their loyalty and will be staying put with the team,” he added.

Both Zuraindey and Mohd Radzi admitted to have been lured by Super League outfit Perlis.

They are the latest players to have been lured away from the Rhinos after flanker Azrul Ejati Damsah and goalkeeper Harold John, who has caught the eyes of Johor.

The foursome played a big part in the friendly game on Sunday – a clear indication that they have no plan to seek greener pastures elsewhere at least for the new season.

“I don’t think they have the heart to desert the team as they realise that this is the time the team needs them the most after what had happened. The current players are those who have shown their loyalty to the team since day one,” said Rahman.

The Rhinos experienced an exodus of players at the end of last season where more than half of the first team squad left.

However, only one Sabah-born player deserted the team – Bobby Gonzalez, who is believed to have signed for DPMM of Brunei.

The other two Sabahans – Eddie Gapil and Salvester Sindeh – who have no intention of leaving – have been forced out.

They are likely to be called by their employer Police for the new season. Unless their services are not needed by their employer, then there is a big possibility of them donning the Rhinos’ colours once again.

Among those players who have left the team are Ahmad Tharmini Saiban (joining Johor), Mohd Nafuzi Zain (Kelantan), Mohd Munir Amran, Chow Chee Wing (both signing for Felda United), Hishamuddin Othman (Kuala Lumpur) and Wong Sai Kong (Sarawak).

And most of the players who have left the team are first team players under former coach Croatian Drago Mamic, whose contract has not been renewed by the Sabah FA.

And the players who have decided to stay with the team are skipper Rosdin Wasli, Zainizam Marjan, Zulamri Muhammad, Hardy Charles Parsi, Irwan Jamil, Mohd Salawi Jasad, Henry Parsi, Azrul, Zuraindey, Harold, Radzi, and Mohd Farid Saibun.

Meanwhile, those who are tipped to make it into the state squad are Gasili Pengalot, Mafry Ballang, Zaykiel Leong as well as several new faces.

The FA is expected to announce its squad by month end.

Meanwhile, the FA’s hope of going for an-all Sabah side may not materialise after all.

They realise they are short of experience at the backline and may look elsewhere to backup their defence.

At the moment a former Kuala Muda Naza defender – Mohd Faris – has been tried out and he looked impressive in his first appearance for the team in the friendly.

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Loyalty pays off for 12 Rhinos

KOTA KINABALU: The 12 players from the 2007/08 squad who have not shown any indication of going elsewhere for the new season will be rewarded for their loyalty to the team.

Yesterday, the Sabah FA Executive Secretary Harry Baking said that these players are almost certain to be retained for the new season. However, Harry said that it doesn’t mean that they can take things for granted as the FA will not hesitate to get rid of the rotten apples. “We are delighted to see that these players have decided to stick with the team. I can say that their place in the team is as good as secured. “But then again, like the rest of the players, they will still have to prove that they deserve a place in the team. “There is no point of having players who don’t want to improve and fight for the team.

“Since we are banking on an all-local side for the new season, we really hope to see these players lead by example because they have been in the team for quite a while now,” said Harry.

Commenting on those who have left the team, Harry said that there is no point of stopping them from leaving as they have no heart to play for the team. “Since they are no longer interested to play for Sabah there is no reason for us to stop them from leaving. We wish them luck with their new teams, and on our part we will try our best to build the team around our very own homegrown talent.

“We believe we have local players who are more than capable of spearheading our challenge,” said Harry. On the current hopefuls currently training and undergoing trials with the team, Harry said that some of them have impressed the team officials. “We are going to play several more friendly matches and we will have a good look at them, but I believe there are a few of them who could easily fit into the team.

Among those who have decided to stick with the Rhinos are skipper Rosdin Wasli, Zainizam Marjan, Hardy Charles Parsi, Harold John, Henry Parsi, Irwan Jamil, Md Farid Saibun, Md Radzi Hussin, Md Salawi Ahmad Jasad, Azrul Ejati Damsah, Zulamri Muhammad and Zuraindey Jumai. Those players who have opted to look for greener pastures are Bobby Gonzalez, Ahmad Tharmini Saiban, Chow Chee Weng, Hishamuddin Othman, Md Nafuzi Md Zain, Munir Imran and Wong Sai Kong.

In the case of Eddie Gapil and Salvester Sindeh, they are likely to be called up by their employer Police for the new season. Among those players who are set to make a comeback into the state team are defender Md Reithuddin Awang Embran, Gasili Pengalot, Mafry Ballang and Zaykiel Leong to name a few.

Rezuan Aman Khan, Vun Ket Ming @ Billyton as well as several more players from the Reserve League and Under-19 squad are trying their luck with the team. Meanwhile, Harry also revealed that they are likely to announce the team’s coach in the next couple of days. “There is one or two minor things that we need to look into. Once everything is settled, we will make the announcement. I think it is going to be done by this weekend or the latest will be early next week,” said Harry.

At the moment, the Rhinos are currently training under assistant coach Burhan Ajui. Iraqi Wathiq Naji, who is the hot favourite to take the Rhinos’ hot seat, was also seen at the team’s training scene the last two days.

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Foreign-local combination …

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah FA may opt for a foreign-local combination to take charge of the Rhinos next season.

Although at press time everything was not very clear, but there is a possibility of having a foreign-local combination in managing the Rhinos.

When met at the Rhinos’ friendly match at the Likas Stadium on Thursday night, the Sabah FA officials were tight-lipped when asked to comment.

Nevertheless, they assured that they would announce the name of the man to take charge of the team within this week.

Among those present at the friendly were acting President Datuk Lawrence Gimbang, Treasurer Joehari Datuk Ayub, Secretary General Alfred Lojiton, team manager and Supreme Council member Rahman Zakaria and the FA’s Executive Secretary Harry Baking.

But if the foreign-local combination is not going to materialise, then Iraqi Wathiq Naji is the hot favourite to take over the Rhinos’ hot seat!

He is likely to get the nod as the FA has little options as far as their search for a local coach is concerned.

Wathiq was also seen at the friendly, alongside former Justin Ganai, who is also in the frame for the job.

Mohd Asyraaf Fong Abdullah, who also applied for the post, was nowhere to be seen. He was believed to be outstation.

The FA is looking for a man to lead the team after deciding not to renew the contract of its former coach, Croatian Drago Mamic.

And the FA is looking for someone with strong leadership … in short a fighter, and Wathiq seems to fit the bill.

Wathiq, 68, has vast experience in the game, having guided his country to the World Cup in 1986.

And he is no stranger to the Malaysian soccer scene having had a one session stint with Kuala Lumpur in 2001. Furthermore, he has been based in Malaysia for quite sometime. In fact in 2000, he also got the nod to coach Perak, only to find out that Karl Weigang was the man the Perak FA named as their coach.

The former Iraq midfielder also succeeded in guiding Iraq to the Olympic Games in 1980.

For the new season, where Sabah will be playing in the Premier League for the fourth consecutive season, they will be banking on all-Sabah players.

The new season is scheduled to kick off in early January.

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Rhinos go local

KOTA KINABALU: The Rhinos will be spearheaded by local talents next season after the Sabah FA decided to go local as they try to bring the Sabahan spirit back into the team.

The FA acting President Datuk Lawrence Gimbang said they will use all local players for the new season that is scheduled to kick off in early January next year.

Gimbang said it is timely for them to make such a move, pointing out that it is for the betterment of the team.

“We have just decided that we will go all local next season. And we want them to play for the State with full commitment,” he said, after chairing the FA’s team management committee meeting at its office in Likas on Monday night.

He went on to say that the FA of Malaysia (FAM)’s decision to do away with the foreign players next season is indeed a blessing in disguise as they will have the opportunity to bank on the local talents.

“The move (by FAM) is a blessing in disguise and we will fully utilise the local players to carry the Rhinos’ challenge in the coming campaign.

“We will not sign any local imports from the Peninsula or anywhere else,” he said.

Also present were Secretary General Alfred Lojitan, Treasurer Joehari Datuk Ayub, Executive Secretary Harry Baking and Team Manager Rahman Zakaria.

Meanwhile Joehari, a former team manager, added that the decision augers well with the efforts to bring back the spirit of Sabah among the players.

And Joehari is confident that a State team with an all-Sabahan line-up will be equally capable of spearheading the State challenge in search for glory in the domestic football scene.

He said Sabah did it in style during the time of ‘King’ James Wong and Hassan Sani and that it is possible for a repeat of the same achievement.

“We have more than enough players to form a good team … several of them have come back to the current training squad and we will welcome more.

However, he said that there are procedures to be followed and there will be no automatic choice.

“Each and every one of the players must fight and prove their worth … those who fit into the team’s criteria will be selected,” he said.

The State squad comprising existing players, former players and those from youth teams are currently undergoing pre-season training under acting coach Burhan Ajui.

Among those ex-players who are keen to make a comeback and have been training with the State squad are Gasili Pengalot, Mafry Ballang, Zaykiel Leong, Vun Ket Ming @ Billyton and Rezuan Aman Khan to name a few.

In a related development, Gimbang said that they will name the coach for the State team within this week.

“We have shortlisted our candidates and we will interview them and will hold another team management meeting before we name our man,” said Gimbang.

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Working against the clock

KOTA KINABALU: The exodus of senior players has left the Sabah FA with nothing but a lot of rebuilding work to do in preparing its team for the new season.

With only about two more months or so left before the new season kicks off, there is not much time left for them to get the team ready ahead of the kick off which is expected to be early January.

At the moment, the Rhinos’ preparations are far from encouraging with assistant coach Burhan Ajui given the “heavy” responsibility of taking charge of the team since they began their preparations early this month.

The FA’s scheduled team management meeting on Monday is in fact a much-awaited moment as a lot of decisions will be made. Among the hot topic that needs to be addressed urgently is the hiring of a new coach.


The hiring of new players as well as their preparation plans will also be on the agenda.

For the new season, all of the local imports have left the team.

Defender Ahmad Tharmini Saiban has signed for his home state Johor, while Munir Amran and Chow Chee Wing are believed to have been signed by Felda United.

Hishamuddin Othman is joining Kuala Lumpur, while Mohd Nafuzi Zain is signing with Kelantan.

Wong Sai Kong is almost certain to join Sarawak.

Bobby Gonzales is believed to have signed for Brunei, while both Salvester Sindeh and Eddie Gapil’s future in the team is still uncertain as the duo are likely be called by their employer Police.

With the FA of Malaysia’s ruling to do away with the foreign players, it has left the Rhinos to do without more than a dozen of their regular faces for the new season.

The only seniors left in the team now are Zainizam Marjan and Rosdin Wasli.

The rest are the three young goalkeepers namely Irwan Jamil, Harold John and Mohd Salawi Jasad.

There are also rumours that Irwan and flanker Azrul Ejati Damsah are being lured by Johor.

Zuraindey Jumai, Mohd Radzi Hussin, Zulamri Muhammad, Mohd Farid Saibun, Henry Parsi, Hardy Charles Parsi are among those sticking with the team.

And those expected to make a comeback into the state team are Gasili Pengalot, Mafry Balang, Joey Ryan Gundok, Zaykiel Leong and Vun Ket Ming @ Billyton.

Restu Emat, Rezuan Aman Khan, Mohd Zuneral Lalah, Mohd Reithuddin Awang Emran, and Ian James Wong have also been seen training with the team.

There are also a few more players from the Reserve League and Under-19 squad as well as a few new faces training with the team.

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