Finally, it’s back. The new season of the Astro Malaysia Super League. Malaysia football has been on a bit of a high the past couple years; winning the AFF Suzuki Cup for the first team in 2010 and retaining the gold for football in the SEA Games. Beating Indonesia in the final on both occasions, the icing on the cake. The former success being the catalyst for Astro’s big money sponsorship of the league, RM120 million for 2011-2014 broadcasting rights of the league on top of an additional RM100 million on promotional activities, and signs of good things to come. Singapore’s under-23 team will be joining the MSL on a 5 year contract with Malaysia’s under-23 team playing in the S-league.
Sarawak are back in the big leagues after facing relegation in 2008. Welcoming the country’s best teams in Selangor and Kelantan will be a welcoming sight. Are we ready though? Having watched Sarawak in play against Sabah in two friendlies, I am slightly pessimistic. Sarawak managed to get a 1-0 win and a 0-0 draw and while it may seem like good results against a seasoned MSL team, the performances were patchy and resembled the old uninspired Sarawak of late. Sarawak are still unable to hold on to possession for long periods of the game and still have no idea what to do with the ball when they do.
Coach Robert Alberts is no stranger to success, having won league titles in Malaysia with Kedah, Singapore with Home United and Indonesia with Arema FC. I am curious that with his ability, why hasn’t he fixed the fundamental flaw in the team? It can be hard to win games on a regular basis even with a lion’s share of possession in games but it’s even harder to do it without. Long balls are excellent for counter-attacks but require speedy direct players who can take on the last defender. Sarawak has no such player. Zamri Morshidi might have an eye for goal but he lacks the pace to outrun defenders or even latch on to wild goose chases he often finds himself in.
The good news is that Sarawak look to finally have a capable keeper since Mazlan Wahed. Saiful Amar Sudar, signed from Selangor FC, looked sharp and reliable. In the first friendly against Sabah, he kept them at bay with a few good saves and was good with his distribution. Guy Bwele, signed from Coton Sport FC de Garoua, showed signs that he will be key to Sarawak’s survival. He gave a spirited performance and a fighting attitude to regain possession and fleet footwork to keep it. He’s listed as a defender but operated well as a defensive midfielder. He is my man to watch this season. K Ravindran, a former Harimau Muda A, did well to make space for himself throughout the game but couldn’t hold play up as well as he should have. There is a reason he was part of the elite youth team of Malaysia but sadly, he hasn’t shown it. Another one yet to prove himself, Cameroonian Kalle Sone signed from CS Otopeni. On paper, he looks an intriguing player having graduated from the Vitesse Arnhem academy. The same academy that Tijjani Babangida came from. Kalle missed the friendlies through injury.
I am looking forward to seeing Selangor and Singapore XII take on Sarawak but it’ll be a home-coming of sorts for Sarawak’s current best export, Joseph Kalang-Tie when he comes to town with his current team, Terengganu. So much to look forward to for local football.
First Round Fixtures
January
- 10th – KL (H)
- 14th – Sabah (A)
- 17th – Terengganu (H)
- 21st – Selangor (A)
- 26th – Negeri Sembilan (H)
February
- 7th – Perak (A)
- 11th – Felda (H)
- 14th – Johor (A)
March
- 3rd – T-Team (H)
- 17th – Singapore XII (H)
- 31st – PKNS (A)
April
- 7th – Kelantan (A)
- 14th – Kedah (A)
Good to see a blog on Sarawak. Good luck to the team on their return to the Super league