ZAINAL GETS TOUGH
Two foreign players axed as coach looks to salvage Penang's season
REPORTS BY AJITPAL SINGH ajitpalsingh@nst.com.my
AUSTRALIAN midfielder Diogo Ferreira and Hong Kong defender Andy Russell have been axed by Penang as coach Zainal Abidin Hassan looks to save his side from relegation.
Both players have been informed that their services are no longer needed.
Zainal has identified four players with one having played for a top Italian Serie A club, and a decision will be made when the mid-season transfer window opens on May 15.
Penang are in a similar predicament as last season, where they were also fighting to avoid relegation.
The team, who are currently 12th with only five points, avoided the drop on the final day of the league in 2016.
The Penang FA (PFA) have given Zainal the approval to replace two foreign players. Two others — Papua New Guinea forward Nigel Dabingyaba and Brazilian centre-back Reinaldo Lobo — are likely to be retained.
On Sunday, Penang suffered a 2-1 loss to Felda United in Georgetown for their ninth defeat in the league.
Argentine Lucas Cano (17th) and Norsharul Idlan Talaha (89th) scored for Felda while Penang replied through Dabingyaba (54th).
Since the arrival of Zainal in March, the team have mostly been relying on only one foreign player in Dabingyaba.
The PNG player is the only attacking foreigner in the squad while others are defensive signings.
They were signed by former coach Ashley Westwood before he was rested in March. However, Dabingyaba, who is Penang’s top scorer with four goals, is more suited for wide positions instead of playing as a striker.
“Russell is out due to a serious knee injury while Ferreira does not fit my plans. Basically, I need attacking-orientated foreign players to boost Penang,” Zainal told Timesport yesterday.
“One of my possible replacements is an ex-Serie A player who also featured in the Champions League. I hope to confirm at least one signing before our game against Kelantan in Kota Baru on
One of my possible replacements is an ex-Serie A player who also featured in the Champions League. I hope to confirm at least one signing before our game against Kelantan in Kota Baru on May 24.
ZAINAL ABIDIN HASSAN
Penang coach
May 24.
“I am looking for a striker and a midfielder. Dabingyaba is the only foreigner who starts regularly as the others are either injured or left out.
“The team are making progress but we need to boost our attack.”
In the defeat to Felda on Sunday, Zainal said his team were unlucky to lose as they created a lot of chances.
“The only thing lacking is we do not have a finisher. We have 10 more games left and the gap between us and the other teams is not big.
“I am confident that our impending new signings will change our fortunes,” Zainal added.