KUCHING: Sarawak are on a mission to climb to the top of the table as they embarked on collecting points in the next three games starting with the match away against UiTM at UiTM Stadium at 4.45pm today.
After UiTM, they face an “easy” match at home against KL SPA Putrajaya FC whom they shared points in the first leg 1-1 draw and after that will tackle KL Pos Malaysian FC before the cruncher against rivals Sime Darby at home on May 10.
Sarawak coach Robert Alberts said they will not underestimate UiTM whom they whitewashed 5-0 at home in the first clash for they had changed players ever since with a number of new buys.
Sarawak, who will start the match without two of their key midfield stalwarts in foreign player Guy Bwele and Shahrol Saperi – both on yellow card suspension will not be short of options as he can fall back on new player Junior Eld’stal.
Also the return of Zamri Morshidi, who is equally adept at playing on the right wing and as a striker, has provided Alberts the extra options of pushing Joseph Kalang Tie from the wing to the centre of midfield.
If Alberts plays a 4-3-3 with three strikers upfront, he can have their new foreign playmaker Muamer Silabasic to partner Junior who will start for the first time after he only came in as a reserve in the last three matches.
“The return of Zamri gives me the extra options and when Guy Bwele comes back from suspension after sitting out his second match in the next match against UiTM we will also have Shahrol Saperi, Joseph Kalang and Junior to vie for the central midfield positions.
“Zamri is getting his fitness back plus his ability to play on the wing give us extra options in midfield while Junior now is ready to step into the team from the start.
“Looking at the results of UiTM who drew 1-1 with Kedah in the last match means we can’t underestimate UiTM even though we beat them 5-0 in the first leg at home.
“We have to work harder and like in the last match against Perlis we have to get the job done which will stand us in good stead when we face Sime Darby after facing UiTM, SPA and Pos Malaysia.
“While Sime Darby look unbeatable, we will have a good chance when we face them at home for they had a string of good luck in getting the results.
“In their last match against Johor in which they won 1-0, they were lucky to get all three points for they were hardly in the game as they had two tries and had one shot on target,” said Alberts.
The Dutch coach said the Bosnian player who lighted up the match in the 2-0 win over Perlis will be depended on as the inspiration for the team, especially in providing the supply upfront to strikers like Bobby Gonzalez and Azizan Baba.
Also on trial for his first start will be Eld’stal who is also good at his distribution but Alberts will also count on him to get the goals during the set pieces where his height will be a threat.
Source: New Sarawak Tribune
