Robert Alberts Alberts believes Sarawak will return stronger next year after their dream run in the Malaysia Cup came to a crashing halt in Kuching on Saturday.
The Premier League champions lit up the competition with their exciting attacking football which produced a ton of goals and can hold their heads up high.
The State Stadium exploded when Bobby Gonzales gave Sarawak the lead in the first half after losing the semi-final away leg 3-1 to Pahang in Kuantan but were floored when Fauzi Roslan equalised against the run of play in the second half.
Sarawak wasted a glut of chances as Bobby could have had a hat-trick but Alberts said the spine of the team is there to build upon for a good show in the Super League next year.
“If the funds are available we could make Sarawak a better team. Football is undergoing a revival in Sarawak and the FA must make sure it’s available,” said Albert, who declined to say if he would remain in charge next year.
“To have a serious chance in the Super League, we need to invest to go higher. But I’m sure the FA will make the right choice.”
With the likes of Junior Eldstal, Joseph Kalang Tie, Hairol Mokhtar, Sani Anuar Kamsani and Ashri Chuchu having excelled this season, Sarawak just need a few reinforcements to be a real threat in 2014.
“We have shown that by going unbeaten in the league and only losing to Kelantan at home in the FA Cup quarter-finals,” said Dutchman Alberts.
“This team have a future with a great possibility to grow. We have to strengthen obviously, but the future is bright with the basics already here.”
While disappointed not to make the final, Alberts said he had no complaints about how Sarawak played despite missing a glut of chances.
“I can’t complain. The players worked hard and we should have scored a couple more goals,” he said.
“We tried the best we could and should have gone through but we didn’t. We did the right things, delivered the ball into the right space and it was just a matter of being a little bit faster and stronger.
“Bobby could have killed the game off today but he was not the only one to miss. We tried everything and at the end of the day, you have to score and that is the reality.”
Source: NST
