IS ‘FREE’ TO GO
Coach gets release letter from Kedah to join FAM
coaches in the M-League and has led Kedah to several successes since joining them in April, 2014. Among his achievements were the 2015 Premier League and the 2016 Malaysia Cup crowns.
“I am happy that I have received my release letter but also sad because I have many memorable memories with Kedah.
“I am rejoining FAM as I feel Malaysian football will progress to the next level under Tunku Ismail.
“I heard news that I may be given the caretaker role for the opening Asian Cup qualifying matches against North Korea (June 8) and Lebanon (June 13) but frankly I do not know much about it,” said Cheng Hoe, who conducted his last training session with the Kedah players on Friday.
After receiving his release letter from KFA on Saturday, Cheng Hoe had a heart-to-heart talk with the Kedah players.
“I told them that coaches come and go. Some were upset as they thought I will be staying for a little longer.
“I reminded them that they must always give their best in training and matches. Most importantly, they must give full cooperation to caretaker coach Nidzam Adzha.”
Several fans showed their displeasure after Cheng Hoe tendered his resignation on March 31 “I hope the fans will understand and not get upset. I am leaving because the nation need my services. Kedah fans have been fantastic throughout my tenure. These memories will always be part of me,” Cheng Hoe added. wickets in the first innings.
Forces won their first match of the competition on Saturday when they defeated Penang by 43 runs in Georgetown but the hosts exacted revenge yesterday with a seven-wicket win to secure their semi-final berth as Justin Frew scored a match-winning 72 runs.
Despite the double defeats, Selangor had secured second place in the standings for a second year in a row, ahead of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia with the two teams to square off in Saturday’s semi-final.
UKM will be aiming to reach the final again after last year’s defeat to KL while Selangor are looking at redemption after unexpectedly losing to Sarawak in the 2016 quarter-finals. Devinder Singh