Family and loving environment key to Perak’s success
PETALING JAYA: Perak coach Mehmet Durakovic (pic) is continuing his off-field close-knit-family approach to get the best out of the team for the 2019 M-League season.
Perak had several of their players including – Amirul Azhan Aznan, Brendan Gan and Shahrul Saad – settling down and starting a family.
Durakovic expects plenty of positive spill-over effect on his players.
“I believe in having family support and a good loving environment is important for players. Marriage and family adds more maturity and leadership to players,” said Durakovic yesterday.
“I got married very early in my career and it kept me grounded and work even harder for my family. It brought me to Malaysia and now I always share with my players on the importance of a family.”
“My approach is to always have a close-knit relationship within the team. I want everyone to get along well off field so the relationship on field will be stronger.
“This team go to meals together whenever possible and I think it’s a good way to forge a sense of belonging.”
Perak finally ended their 11-year wait to claim a silverware by winning the Malaysia Cup in October.
They are now expected to end Johor Darul Ta’zim’s reign as the Super League champions for five consecutive years.
The team will have all their players in training after the New Year as five of Perak’s players – goalkeeper Hafizul Hakim Khairul Nizam Jothy, defenders Amirul Azhan Aznan, Shahrul Saad, Nazirul Naim Che Hashim and midfielder D. Kenny Pallraj – were involved with the national team’s recent AFF Suzuki Cup campaign.
Their three Brazilian imports Gilmar Filho, Leandro dos Santos and Wander Luiz – have returned to training in good shape.
Durakovic added that there are plans for the team to have their pre-season abroad.
“The players who played for the national team are still on a break while the rest of the team are working on the fitness before we start our pre-season. We still have plenty of time to prepare for the season,” he said.