Happy coach Sathia sees Selangor making giant steps in new season

PETALING JAYA: The first two weeks of Selangor’s pre-season training has B. Sathianathan smiling.

Players would usually loathe pre-season as it demands full physical strength and fitness, but in the Red Giants’ case, the players have shown great attitude and character even when the going got tough.

The former national trainer said that the presence of new players like Brendan Gan, Nicholas Swirad and Norhakim Hassan has pushed the younger players in the team to do well.

“First of all, I like their attitude. Players like Brendan and Swirad are very professional. It rubs off on our younger players. This is what we are looking for, an experienced player who gives a good example to the young boys,” he said.

“Last season, I did not see the young boys doing extra. This time, I see them doing so and there are reasons behind it. The team character is essential.

“I know what I went through last season, and it was quite tricky. I pointed it out to the management, they believed in me, and they have done what they could for the team. We will not be the best in everything, but we are doing things we were supposed to do many years ago.

“This is Selangor. I understand the pressure, they have added good players. We have to deliver. It is not only me, the players too. In the last two weeks, they have looked good, they have been working hard. And I am looking forward to the season.”

For Sathianathan, the difference between his preparation for the 2019 season and the 2020 season is that he arrived late last season.

“This season I have no excuses, I have got the players that I wanted, the management gave me what I wanted. I wanted more, but I am satisfied now.

Johor Darul Ta’zim owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, in a video posted by his club’s official social media site, said Selangor would be one of the favourites to win the league as they have a bigger budget and have made some key additions to the side.

But Sathianathan takes a different view

“I do not think we have a high budget. If you look at the players, I do not think so.

“I work according to the budget given. Do not forget that we have a lot of budget channelled for development.

“This is the first time Selangor have done this. They are looking into development.

“For the first team, it’s the same budget as before. My salary has not been increased, there is no budget increase.

“All the players who stayed never asked for a raise because they know the economy is not the same as before. Teams like Perak, Kedah and Petaling Jaya City have recruited well.

“It’s JDT that put the standard up. If we cannot emulate them, we can try to be as near as possible.

“That is why the league is exciting. If only one team dominate the league, it would not be exciting.”