Sukma football team manager eyes gold in Perak
KUCHING: Sukma XIX football team manager Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman is confident that the 20- member squad can shoulder the responsibility in Sarawak’s mission of winning gold in Ipoh, Perak in September.
The Tupong assemblyman said the team line-up had its strengths with players picked from the Premier League, President Cup, Youth Cup and Kuching FA teams.
“We have also called up players attached to various football clubs but it was unsuccessful because they are tied to their contracts with their respective clubs.
“Nevertheless, I believe the selected players are able to carry our challenge and realise our hunt for the gold medal in Ipoh,” he said when met during the opening of fast with Kuching Division Football Association ( KDFA) on Tuesday.
Fazzrudin, also KDFA president, said the squad had commenced training from June 5 to 10 at Stadium Negeri, Petra Jaya while the centralised training will be carried out after the President Cup and Youth Cup competitions.
“We will intensify the training regime af ter the Hari Raya Aidil fitri to ensure that our players are well prepared. I want them to be more focused as we do not have much time left,” he added.
“As for the exposure, we will be having two friendly matches with FAM Cup teams PJ Rangers and Selangor United in August.”
The selected players are Shaiful Wazizi Mohamad, Andy Nicolas Nipen, Aquilla Abdul Rahman (goalkeeper), Stevenson Unggah, Rudy Racha Ragai, Willy Meling Rabbit, Rivaldo Adrill Wilson, Muhammad Firdaus Fauzi, Mohd Zainuddin Bohri (defence), Awang Syahriman Awang Ahmad, Mohammad Adif Salim, Mohd Nur Aliff Kepli, Sulaiman Jamali, Mohammad Yunus Hasan, Hendry Amir Simon (midfield), Amirul Iqml Bolhi, Gibson Billy, Amar Muaz Zamri, Muhammad Yazid Ahzhar dan Georgi Kinkladze Tom (attack).
The four reserve players are Ahmad Uzair Zaidil (goalkeeper), Abdul Rahman Ismawi, Mohd Fazarul Mahathir (defence) dan Amir Amri Salleh (midfield).
The of f icials are Iswandi Ali Hassan ( assistant team manager), Ahmad Fairuz Mohd Yunus ( head coach), Ibrahim Mantali, Zulkarnain Poasa, Nizam Mahmud ( assi stant coaches), Mohd Azley Abdullah (goalkeeping and fitness coach), Gary Nyelang ( physiotherapy), Iswandi Fauzan ( logistics) and Awang Addin Awang Sufian (coordinator).