In a Khor-ner
Negri bombshell leaves Azraai sad and shocked
PETALING JAYA: It’s all in the game for Negri Sembilan’s sacked coach Azraai Khor.
Azraai replaced German coach Jorg Steinebrunner on Feb 28 but five matches later, with only two draws and three defeats, the 65-year-old has been given the boot by the Negri Sembilan Football Association (NSFA).
The former international said he is saddened by the decision as he was in the midst of identifying new imports to sign during the M-League’s second transfer window ( May 7-June 3) to reshuffle the squad.
“It came as a shock to me because I was looking for players to sign in the transfer window but unfortunately, the management had other ideas. I’m a bit sad that I was not given enough time to turn around the fortunes of the team,” said Azraai, who had previously guided Negri to their last silverware – the Malaysia Cup in 2011.
“I had five matches and the players that I had to coach are not the players that I have signed. I think I have been treated unfairly but life goes on for me – this is the norm in Malaysian football where the team management can sack you suddenly.”
“I’m sad that these things are still happening in the M-League and I guess nothing will change as long as the team management are unprofessional. For now, I’ll be waiting for offers and if I get a good offer, I’ll take it.”
The Deer’s management has hired Portuguese Mario Lemos who becomes the third head coach to try to salvage their season.
The 34-year-old Lemos’ experience includes handling the Bangladesh national team, amateur South Korean club TNT FC and being assistant coach of Thai club Muangthong United. His first test in the Super League will be against Kedah at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi tonight.
Negri have dropped Latvian centreback Renars Rode and Cambodian forward Prak Mony Udom and replaced them with Brazilian Alex Moraes and Filipino Angel Guirado respectively. The team will also be boosted by the arrival of Australian-born Malaysian David Rowley.
The untested Lemos is facing an uphill battle to salvage Negri’s season as they are at the bottom of the 12-team Super League with only five points from nine matches.