Hurt Rhinos can’t hide it
Sabah forced to accept their exclusion from Malaysia Cup
IT’S shattering news and Sabah will need to be as tough as Rhinos to deal with it. Being forced to pull out of the Malaysia Cup just sums up the football team’s sad season, says captain Rawilson Batuil. And being an empathetic leader, he has advised his teammates to accept the harsh reality and move on.
PETALING JAYA: Sabah captain Rawilson Batuil describes a decision to prevent them from playing in the Malaysia Cup as harsh but one that they have to accept.
The Rhinos did not get the clearance from the National Security Council to play in the Malaysia Cup starting on Nov 6 due to the conditional movement control order which was extended until Nov 9 in the state.
There have been growing number of Covid-19 cases in the Borneo state.
Rawilson said their exit from the Malaysia Cup summed up their poor season.
“We are sad that we are not able to participate in the Malaysia Cup. We have to accept the National Security Council’s decision for our own safety. Instructions have to be followed, no matter what,” said the 26-year-old centreback.
“Honestly, this year has been tough on the team. When the movement control order was imposed, we could only train at home.
“We didn’t have any friendlies while the peninsular sides played several friendlies before the Super League resumed.
“Right now, we just have to accept the fact that we would not be playing any more football this season.”
Coach Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto admitted that he was shocked over the last-minute decision as his players were getting ready to play their last Super League fixture against UiTM tomorrow at the Hang Jebat Stadium in Melaka and also the Malaysia Cup.
“The players had already packed their stuff and did their swab tests but were told they could not fly out. It’s a big disappointment,” said Kurniawan.
“But the National Security Council would have evaluated the situation and we have to abide by their decision. We’ve to accept the fact that the Covid-19 problem in Sabah is quite severe.”
The Malaysian Football League (MFL) chief executive officer Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan said there would not be any changes in the format of the Malaysia Cup in the absence of Sabah.
“The application for exemption for the Sabah team was not approved,” said Ghani.
“Their postponed Super League match will not be played and their opponents UiTM have been given a 3-0 victory.”
UiTM, with the three points gifted to them, go up to sixth spot with 17 points in the 12-team Super League standings. Selangor, who have a better goal difference, finish fifth while Sabah remain 10th.
“The compulsory self-quarantine period of 14 days (if the Sabah team had arrived at KLIA yesterday) would have exceeded the date of the first round (knockout) match of the Malaysia Cup on Nov 6.
“Therefore, the team drawn to meet Sabah will be given a 3-0 victory and a place in the quarter-finals.”
The draw for the Malaysia Cup will be held on Nov 1. The first round will be held from Nov 6 to 8, followed by the quarter-finals (Nov 12-13), semi-finals (Nov 17) and final (Nov 22).
The players had already packed their stuff and did their swab tests but were told they could not fly out. It’s a big disappointment.
Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto