Turtles eager to get all-clear from Covid-19 to begin training

PETALING JAYA: Terengganu players are waiting anxiously to go through swab tests for Covid-19 before they can resume training.

Terengganu coach Nafuzi Zain said everyone from the team had returned to Kuala Terengganu except for winger Faris Ramli, who is expected to report for training from Singapore soon.

All team sports can start training starting tomorrow but under strict standard operating procedures.

And Nafuzi is hoping for all to be cleared from their swab tests so that he can get straight to business.

“We will evaluate the players’ conditions after the swab test results are out. Then, I will formulate a training programme for the players.

“I believe the non-contact training will be a good start for us to get back to football,” said Nafuzi.

“Everyone will be starting from zero in training after going through three months without any footballing activities.

“They did their own training during the long break at their homes. It only helps to maintain their physique but it won’t be enough to play football at an elite level.”

The Malaysian Football League (MFL) have proposed for the Super League to resume on Sept 1 with one round to be played, leaving seven matches left to decide the final standings of 2020.

Terengganu are currently placed eighth in the 12-team table with four points following a win, a draw and a defeat.

The Turtles have a match in hand after their March 14 game against Petaling Jaya City was called off due to stadium unavailability.

Nafuzi said the chase for Super League glory has changed from a marathon to a sprint race and teams could not afford to drop points any more.

“We have an extra game in hand but if the Super League resumes with only seven matches, every game will be crucial and dropping points can be disastrous,” said Nafuzi.

The 41-year-old coach added that the tight round of fixtures and five substitutions per match would give all the players in the squad a chance to play.

“We have a number of youngsters in the team and they will get a chance to play.

“They need to be confident and enjoy their game, there’s no point for them to put pressure on themselves,” he added.