MFL need to review M-Cup fixtures – Henry
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Tambadaus team manager Henry Saimpon has called for a review of the Malaysia Cup fixtures due the growing number of Covid-19 cases, particularly in Sabah.
He said the team has been badly affected since sport activities were not allowed following the re-inforcement of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO).
“The team preparation has certainly been affected...while our players are only able to work on their fitness from home, most of the other teams are able to train outdoors.
“We are at a disadvatage because we will go into the (M-Cup) competition without proper preparation,” he said here yesterday.
Henry went on to say Sabah too still needed to play UiTM FC in the re-scheduled Super League match at Shah Alam on October 31 but on current condition, things are not favouring the Tambadaus.
“After our last league game against JDT (Johor Darul Ta’zim), we have not been able to have a proper training session due to the CMCO.
“It is very worrying. The match against UiTM may be academic but not the M-Cup...we need to be at our best for the tournament,” he said.
Towards this end, Henry hoped that the Malaysian Football League (MFL) would review the M-Cup schedule. He said,”May be postponing the M-Cup is the best option.”
For the record, Sabah have already secured their place in the Super League next season and the match against UiTM, which has already been postponed twice due to Covid-19, will do them no harm regardless of the result.
Sabah on nine points are assured of at least a 10th placed finish and a victory against UiTM could lift them up to ninth in the 12-team league standing.
As for the Malaysia Cup, the first round matches are scheduled for November 68 and to be followed by the quarterfinals on November 12-13, semifinals on November 17 and final on November 22.