Cup before Deepavali for coach Gunalan
PETALING JAYA: Deepavali celebrations will take a backseat for Selangor coach K. Gunalan this year.
As Deepavali falls on Saturday and the Malaysia Cup final against Kedah the next day, Gunalan has practically no time to think about the festive occasion.
“Winning the Malaysia Cup is a dream for any coaches and players. I won the Cup as a player on three occasions (from 1995-1997). Now, I want to win it as a coach. I’m really all hyped up for it,” said Gunalan.
Besides Gunalan, defending champions Selangor also have two Hindu players – midfielder S. Veenod and winger R. Gopinathan - in the team.
“Like me, Veenod and Gopi are fired up to win the Cup. They are working hard in training.
“I will keep my Deepavali celebrations simple by spending time with my family in the morning. Later in the evening, it’s back to training,” said the 51-year-old Gunalan.
Since taking charge of the team following the sacking of Zainal Abidin Hassan in August, Gunalan has managed to turn Selangor’s fortunes around.
He steered Selangor to a fifthplace finish in the Super League as well as reaching the Malaysia Cup final for the second straight season.
Selangor, however, may be without prolific Argentine striker Mauro Olivi for the final at the Shah Alam Stadium.
Olivi returned to action in the last Super League match against champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) last week after being out of action for a month due to a calf injury. But the 33-year Olivi hurt himself again in the 2-1 loss.
“Olivi is doubtful so we have to look at other options. The good news is the other players have done well when Olivi was sidelined. I don’t really have to crack my head too much on his replacement.
Youngster Adam (Nor Azlin) has done well. I believe he can deliver when called upon,” said Gunalan.