KOTA KINABALU: Over 100 hopefuls turned up for the Sabah Football Association open selection trials held at the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex Field C in Likas yesterday.
However, quality wise, it was far from encouraging as most of them are not up to the Malaysian Super League standard, at least according to Sabah head coach Justin Ganai, who headed the FA’s selection committee panel.
While pleased with the good response, Justin could not help but openly admit that he hardly saw any potential players that are good enough to be roped into the State senior squad for the new season.
For that reason, Justin cut short the trials to a mere one day, instead of the scheduled two days.
Among the notable names that attended the first day of trials were former State players Joey Ryan Gundok, Azrul Ejati Damsah, and Mohd Farid Saibun.
Leopold Alfonso Otong was also seen at the selection scene, so as several former Reserve League players, including the much traveled Sanjos Sundawat.
Sanjos, 30, braved himself to look for greener pastures after failing to get a place in the State senior team after his Reserve League days (2003).
He joined Johor FC in 2004 before signing for Kuala Lumpur the following year.
In 2006, he moved to Sarawak before joining Police. After two seasons with Police, the Keningau lad signed for Selangor in 2009 before moving to the now defunct KL Plus.
This season, he played for the demoted Perlis.
While reluctant to elaborate further, Justin said only about two players impressed him during the trials.
Justin added he will call the duo, Mohd Farid Saibun and an unknown striker from Kota Marudu Raynol Masaat, 24, to join the rest of the 15 players that have been retained for the new season.
However, Justin said they still have to prove themselves in training if they harbour any hope to make the State squad.
For the record, Farid Saibun last played for Sabah in 2010.
Sabah will begin their pre-season training on November 14.
Meanwhile, it is believed that all local players from this season’s squad have been retained for the new season.
If the rumour proves to be true, then skipper Md Reithuddin Ag Emran, Rosdin Wasli, Zainizam Marjan, Mafry Balang, Julamri Muhammad, Zuraindey Jumai, Shahrul Azhar Ture, Razlan Oto, Radzi Mohd Hussin, Alto Linus and Sumardi Hajalan will have another shot in spearheading Sabah’s challenge.
Goalkeeper Syed Adney Syed Hussien and K. Thanaraj are also believed to be retained while the first choice custodian Azizon Abd Kadir’s fate in the team is still uncertain.
The FA is yet to officially announce the list of the players they have retained for the new season, and the same for four players that have been dropped, whose names are still being withheld
But one thing that is certain is that Mohd Fariss Azlan Mat Isa has signed a permanent deal with the State squad.
2 comments:
ur an idiot..
kbai~
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