Selangor on shopping spree; Raja stays neutral about Malaysia Cup final
Selangor having failed in their ‘mission 33’ to wrest
the Malaysia Cup after last winning it in 2005, have not wasted any time
in preparing for the new season.They have already signed former Selangor player Mehmet Durakovic as head coach, after having failed to secure B. Satianathan.
FA of Selangor deputy president Datuk Mokhtar Ahmad confi rmed the appointment of Australian Durakovic earlier this week and also disclosed he will be bringing two players with him — a midfi elder and defender.
Mokhtar said talks have also been held with national striker Safee Sali while they are also on the lookout for a goalkeeper coach. The three goalkeeper coaches in the race are former Selangor and Czech World Cup custodian, Karel Stromsik, former national goalkeepers Khairul Azman Mohamed, currently with Johor Darul Takzim and Selangor’s Azilsham Ibrahim, now with Pahang.
“Safee has indicated his interest in playing for Selangor, but he will have to sort out his status with JDT and his loan status with Pelita Arema and come clean with the releases.
Read more here.
Meanwhile, national coach K. Rajagobal expects an exciting battle on the pitch on Sunday, but as a neutral, he is not going to pick a winner.
“In a Cup fi nal, everything is even. Even experience and past results do not matter. It is a whole new ball game,” said Rajagobal, who won four Malaysia Cup medals with Selangor since the first of six finals appearances in 1978.
“Kelantan as defending champions have the experience of playing four in the last five seasons, all which come to nought. Pahang may be the rookies with a majority of the players not having had the experience of a Cup final, but that does not matter.
“The Cup final will charge the players up in a different way and it will be anybody’s game. “What I am looking forward is an exciting and entertaining game which benefits Malaysian football.
Read Raja stays neutral in today's Mailsport.
HD says: May the best team win this Sunday! p/s: I had predicted Kelantan to edge Pahang 2-0 in the final, as published in Mailsport.
Is Raja, coming to nought as a coach?
ReplyDeleteOne can wonder why Raja, prefers to staying neutral when asked to pick the winner for this Sunday Malaysia Cup final.
Knowing pretty well that Kelantan possess the experience and the ability required, it should be easy to pick the winner - unless there is going to be a magic show, to prove otherwise.
Be prepared for some antics by the match officials or even the Kelantan players which can be questionable, leading to the result.
Given the benefit of doubt, to Pahang, Raja, should fairly know what is the right thing to say - Staying neutral is not good enough for a coach at his level - Easily said and satisfied, like always.
We are not having AFC final, to feel difficult to pick the winner,...
after all, its only the Malaysia Cup final - poor standard footballing. Maybe i'm hash, but i still give the advantage to Kelantan - is that so difficult.
There also could be other reasons for Raja, to stay neutral. - not difficult for us to figure out what's the contributing factors.
Well, this is what Malaysian football is all about. Pretentiousness has become a norm due to the high stakes offered on most matters in our daily life for many, if not all.
HSKL says: Stay relevant and connected in our wisdom.