ROMERO SET TO SURPRISE

Dollah could unleash new signing against Kedah in FA Cup final

REPORTS BY AJITPAL SINGH ajitpalsingh@nst.com.my

ARGENTINE Yamil Romero could offer an element of surprise for Pahang when they take on Kedah in the FA Cup final at Shah Alam Stadium on Saturday. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder was registered by Pahang yesterday at the expense of former Nigerian international Chinedu Dike, who was released due to poor form.

Dike was used mainly as a second half substitute by coach Dollah Salleh, with the 30-year-old scoring three goals for the east coast side.

A former Boca Juniors B and Club Atletico Juventud Unida player, Romero was tested for the first time in the 5-0 thrashing of FAM Cup side Shahzan Muda in a friendly in Kuantan on Tuesday. He scored two goals.

Dollah said the Argentine has excellent skills and scoring touches, and also fits well as a second striker.

“However, I do not want to jump to any conclusion at this stage on whether he will play in the FA Cup final. My first impression of him is good but I am still evaluating his form,” Dollah told Timesport yesterday.

“There are a lot of things that I need to assess as he is a new signing. We need to check his fitness level before we can push him harder in training.”

Romero’s impending M-League debut in the FA Cup final may give Pahang an added boost as Kedah do not have any information on the player’s abilities.

The match fitness of centre-back Heo Jae Won is also a concern for Dollah following a minor hamstring injury the South Korean suffered in the FA Cup semi-final return leg match against Negri Sembilan on April 30.

Jae Won scored a goal but lasted only 54 minutes before being replaced by Afif Amirudin in Paroi.

“Jae Won’s quick decision to signal to the bench when he got injured in Paroi offers him a good chance of playing in the final. His hamstring injury could have been worse had he continued playing.

“He did not show any signs of discomfort when I tested him for 20 minutes against Shahzan Muda. I think he should be okay for the final,” said the former international.

Pahang’s Brazilian top scorer Matheus Alves is also recovering from a minor knock.

“Alves’s availability for the final is crucial. I took a precautionary measure of not playing him in the friendly yesterday. He is responding well and looks fit,” Dollah added.