Despite having to play without their central defender Gabor Gypes, Sarawak are determined to stop Super League leader Terengganu from walking away with a win at the State Stadium here tonight.
Gyepes who has played crucial roles since he joined the Crocs this season will be on a one match suspension after receiving his second yellow card during the match against Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) last Saturday.
His replacement Mohd Hairol Mokhtar will play alongside Rony Harun, Mafry Balang and Ramesh Lai Ban Huat.
Sarawak head coach Robert Alberts in confirming that Hairol will replace Gyepes, admitted that Gyepes’ absence would be sorely missed but was confident that Hairol who missed the last three matches was equally capable.
Besides Gyepes, Alberts is expected to field the same line-up that drew 1-1 with JDT, which means new signings Ray Griffith (Australia) and Hassan El Mohamad (Lebanon) would be given another opportunity to stamp their mark in attack.
The Dutchman said: “Yes we can beat them (Terengganu) provided we play strong attacking football and able to stop their counter attacks.”
Alberts warned his players to avoid making mistakes, adding that even a small mistake can prove costly for the Crocs to collect all three points at home.
He said Terengganu are a strong team, fast in their counter attacks and able to capitalise on the opponent’s mistakes.
Hairol who is eager to be fielded after he missed three last matches due to hamstring injury, said he was fully fit for the match.
“If I am fielded tomorrow it will be a good opportunity for me to help my team to win the last match in the first round of the Super League.
“I hope I can put up a good performance to repay my coach’s trust in me,” said Hairol, who played in the national team under Datuk K. Rajagobal
Source: BERNAMA
