Zainal is the head chef

Coach wants to prove the saying that ‘too many cooks spoil the broth’ wrong

PETALING JAYA: Melaka want to prove the adage “too many cooks spoil the broth” wrong.

Head coach Zainal Abidin Hassan said the signing of many experienced players in the team would not affect the team’s performance in the Super League.

The Mousedeers, who finished seventh in the last Super League season, have signed several experienced players including two former national team skippers – Muhammad Shukor Adan and Safiq Rahim.

The other six are Mohd Razman Roslan, Mohd Raimi Md Nor, R. Gopinathan, Mohd Nazrin Mohd Nawi, Saiful Ridzuwan Selamat and Wan Amirul Afiq Abdul Rahman.

“I brought these players to make environment in the team more competitive and also instil the spirit of teamwork.

“These experienced players can guide and motivate the younger players. Melaka need to get back on the winning track, and they have what it takes to ensure that happens,” said the former Selangor and Pahang coach.

Shukor, Safiq, Razman and goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat have captained their previous clubs, and there have been questions on who would assume the leadership in the team.

For Zainal, the question of captaincy is not essential but the responsibility of the senior players to guide youngsters is much more important for the team.

“These players can guide the team equally. Safiq, Shukor, Raimi and Razman are fantastic footballers, who can still do the job in the Super League.

“There is no such thing as too many cooks spoil the broth in this team.”

As for foreign players, the club are assessing two players from Serbia and one from South Korea. They have been given a oneweek trial.

Zainal said the club are looking for a lethal foreign striker but has urged his local charges to take up the challenge of being consistent scorers.

“We need our locals to put on their shooting

Prized catch: Former national team captain Safiq Rahim has been signed up by Melaka for the new season. boots. I have speedy wingers in Gopinathan and Nazrin, and they will be tasked to frighten defenders with their pace and also score goals.”

The team have also signed Zharif Md Desa from Penang, M. Kavishkumar (Tokai FC), S. Deevan Raj (PKNP), Noor Ubaidullah Rahman (Penang), Wan Shukri Wan Ahmad (MISCMIFA) and Oscar Wong Tse Yang (Hong Kong Rangers) to bolster the squad.