KUCHING: The crowds celebrated like they have won the championships after Sarawak edged Sime Darby 1-0 in the top of the table clash Friday night but for Sarawak coach Robert Alberts (picture) he was in a sombre mood.
When the media both from the locals and Peninsular press peppered him with questions for his post-match comments, he was tight-lipped.
When the section of the local press surrounded him over the win that gave Sarawak the top of the table position by overtaking Sime Darby, Alberts caught reporters by surprise when he blew his top.
He then vented his anger with a cutting of a newspaper in hand as he pointed to a report by one of the local newspapers.He did not mince his words when he said the report before the match made him look like a fool and a coach that is arrogant to suggest that if Sarawak beat Sime Darby, they will be crowned the champions.
Demanding an apology or else he will not speak to that particular newspaper again which, according to him, in front of all the media gathered quoted him without even speaking to him.
“I demand an apology or I will not speak to that newspaper again.
This report made me look like a fool as I never spoke to any of the reporters who wrote it. The report is not even true – far from it – as we still have to play tough matches like PDRM and Johor.
“I never failed to be open to reporters all the time as I find time for them to call me or speak to me on the field.“This report implies Sarawak will be champions once they beat Sime Darby.
“You think any coach would have said that? There are difficult matches still ahead of us and for the next match against PDRM played in a unplayable field, it is almost impossible to play good football much less win.
“The report makes me as if I’m an arrogant coach who thinks it is so easy.
Champions now? Far from it as we still have matches to go and keep on winning and if we lose, we will be in trouble.
What coach will say that? “A Semenanjung-based paper never gave any space to Sarawak in their report even though we had proven we could win as they are all writing on Sime Darby and nothing else,” he added.
Source: New Sarawak Tribune
