Tall order for new coach to get Perlis out of rut

Saad faces a formidable task of turning the fortunes of Perlis around and lifting them off the bottom of the Premier League table.

The former Perak coach and player was confirmed yesterday as a replacement for Razip Ismail, who quit after Perlis were mauled 5-0 by Kuantan last Friday, leaving them with just two points from eight matches.

Although they sit bottom of the standings, Perlis are only two points away from safety with 10th-placed Sabah on four points and the Malaysian Indians, currently embroiled in match-fixing allegations, on three points.

Syamsul’s first match in charge will be Saturday’s FA Cup third clash against Super League side Sarawak in Kangar, where he is expected to ring the changes.

While Razip has been blamed by fans for Perlis’ poor start to the season, matters were not helped by haphazard planning by the management.

There was no team to speak of when Razip was first appointed in December with the coach forced to recruit players who were unable to find employment elsewhere.

Perlis FA (PFA) president Datuk Rozabil Abdul Rahman said Syamsul will be given the opportunity to bring in new foreign and local players when the midseason transfer window opens in May.

“The PFA management views seriously the performance of the team in the Premier League and have identified the need for desperate action to revamp the strategy and coaching position,” said Rozabil yesterday.

“The appointment of Syamsul as coach is the first step to rehabilitate the Perlis team before further action to be taken during the transfer window.”

Syamsul, 42, was Perak coach until June last year before resuming his previous assistant’s post upon the return of KarlHeinz Weigang.

Razip left after nine matches in charge in all competitions which saw Perlis win once, against Police in the FA Cup, and draw with Forces and Universiti Teknologi Mara in the Premier League.