Foreign letdown
Negri plan to replace their two unreliable imports
PETALING JAYA: Negri Sembilan are contemplating replacing their foreign players.
Head coach Mohd Azraai Khor Abdullah said they will not hesitate to make changes during the second transfer window (April 2-16) if they find the foreigners on trial are better than the current ones – striker JeanEmmanuel Owona of Cameroon and centre-back Marian Farbak of Slovakia.
“Things have not been going well for Negri this season and, if there are better options, we will surely do the necessary to improve the team,” said Azraai from Seremban yesterday.
He said they badly need a central defender as their “backline is the weakest link”, having conceded 19 goals in 12 matches.
On Tuesday, Negri suffered their biggest home defeat of the season when they went down 4-2 to Lions XII at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi.
Azraai said his immediate aim for the second-half of the season is to strengthen the team.
“We will have to catch up with the leaders and to do that, we must be better for the second-half. It was a pity that our regular centre-back Norhafiz (Zamani Misbah) is injured and we are left in a lurch,” said Azraai.
Lanky G. Mahathevan has come in for the injured Norhafiz and partners Farbak in central in defence for Negri. However, Mahathevan’s performance has been inconsistent despite having an outstanding game in the seasonopening Charity Shield match against Kelantan, which they won 2-1 in January. Owona was the hero scoring both the goals.
However, Owona’s behaviour has earned the wrath of Azraai, who has issued an ultimatum to the Cameroon hitman to buck up or ship out.
“We cannot afford to have our regulars missing matches due to suspensions.
“He (Owona) cannot be getting into unnecessary brawls all the time,” said a disappointed Azraai.
Owona sat out Negri’s last two matches due to suspensions against Kuala Lumpur, which they won (2-1) and the defeat to Lions XII (4-2).
Owona was slapped with a twomatch ban and a RM3,000 fine for pulling Felda United goal keeper mohd Hamsani Ahmad’s ears and for pushing S. Sivanesan on the cheek in a Super League match at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi on Jan 21.
Negri’s campaign has been far from smooth. They have been beset by injury problems to key players – especially Norhafiz, who has been in and out for most of the season.
Negri are fifth in the standings on 18 points, trailing leaders Lions XII by nine points. Their FA Cup campaign is over after losing 2-1 to Johor FC in the first round in Paroi.