The Malaysia League is now on a long mid-season break to observe the month of Ramadan and the preparations for the National team.
With over 50 days of ‘rest’, questions from the Sarawak camp start to arise about the status of the current Sarawak import players.
With no official statement from the management of Sarawak FA on the appointment of a new coach for the team, the future of four foreign players, namely Davide Grassi, Gilmar da Silva Filho, Junior Aparecido and Ndumba Makeche in the Crocs is becoming a hot topic among fans, especially with the June transfer window set to open soon.
Under K Rajagobal, suggestions were strong that Gilmar and Davide are likely to get the axe, but both players have performed admirably under interim coach David Usop.
In fact, Gilmar had found the back of the net twice under the guidance of David, hence creating a hot debate online of whether he should be retained to prove his worth.
Davide’s role at the heart of Sarawak defences does look questionable too under Rajagobal, but as seen during both matches against Perak, Davide was instrumental in making crucial interceptions while at the same time able to move forward in attack.
Both Junior and Makeche seem to be ‘safer’ compared to Davide and Gilmar, but there has also been doubts if Sarawak could acquire ‘better’ strikers, which also might result in Gilmar also being dropped. There are also suggestions that Sarawak badly needs better midfielder presence as chances created from the centre have been lacking.
Despite all the speculation, and the fact that the transfer window is set to open soon, it is still anyone’s guess who will be retained by David, or the new Sarawak coach.
Either way, fans of the Crocs are hoping the new player would have an immediate impact upon his signing because if the current Liga Super standings was to be used as a measurement, the Crocs are in dire need to start climbing the table to avoid any possible drop into the Liga Premier next season.
