It’s a waiting game for Pahang as transfer deadline looms
KUALA LUMPUR: Pahang coach Dollah Salleh is not hitting the panic button even though there are only six more days remaining before the M-League’s first transfer window shuts on Sunday.
The Elephants have three more empty slots for foreign players as their Gambia-born Malaysian international Mohamadou Sumareh has finally given the green light by the Malaysia Football League (MFL) to be registered as a local in the M-League.
The East Coast side have retained Singaporean Safuwan Baharudin and signed Indonesian Saddil Ramdani for the 2019 season.
Dollah said the team management are working hard on sorting out the paperwork for his new imports.
“We have players lining up to join us, but unfortunately it’s taking some time to sort out the papers,” said the former international after the MOU signing ceremony between Pahang FA and Al-Ikhsan Sports here yesterday.
“It’s not the ideal situation but we have no choice but to wait.”
Pahang started their tour of Bangkok with a 1-3 loss to Cambodian side Visakha FC on Jan 8, but bounced back to beat Chonburi 2-1 on Jan 10 before ending the tour with a goalless draw with Army United FC last Saturday.
The Elephants, who finished fourth in the 12-team Super League and won the FA Cup to cap a successful season, are expected to mount a stronger challenge this season.
“I would prefer to have the full squad in our pre-season training but it’s not a big issue for me.
“We still have time because the M-League only starts in February,” said Dollah.
“We just returned from our pre-season in Bangkok yesterday.
“We played three matches and the team showed improvement. I believe we will have no problem having our new signings adjusting to the team once they are here.”