Sure feels like southern comfort
Haresh Says, as published in Mailsport today.
IT was supposed to be a trip to Legoland. Instead, former Kelantan coach Bojan Hodak — who donned a Johor shirt — was seen seated next to football pundit Serbegeth Singh (aka Shebby) at the VIP area in Larkin Stadium during the Johor Darul Takzim (JDT)-Selangor match on Saturday night.
As Hodak and Shebby watched the Southern Tigers maul the Red Giants 4-1, fans pondered if there were moves to replace JDT coach Cesar Ferrando Jiminez after the FA Cup quarterfinal return leg match against Kedah at Darulaman Stadium tonight.
JDT seem uncomfortable being placed sixth in the Super League after five matches. With an interesting line-up — from the likes of former Argentinean international Pablo Aimar, Luciano Figueroa to national players Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, Safee Sali and Safiq Rahim — it is only natural to expect good results from the team.
Sources claimed the Croatian met Johor FA officials and it is “pretty much a done deal”.
So what’s the story Hodak? “I was supposed to take my son (Luka) to Legoland but there were no tickets so we couldn’t go,” he said.
“So I decided to watch a match at the stadium. I may visit Legoland this week instead.”
No deal signed? You just decided to go all the way to the Larkin Stadium to watch a match in a Johor shirt?
“Look, I’m a free man at this point in time. But as far as I am concerned, they have a coach at the moment so they are not free (no vacancy).”
What about rumours that you have already secured a spot there?
“People like to talk.” But why JDT, Hodak? “Why not?”
To be fair, many had asked him the same question when he took up stints coaching the now defunct UPB-MyTeam (2006– 2009) and Kelantan (2012-2013). He proved critics wrong by winning a string of trophies along the way. He was hailed in Kota Baru, after leading the Red Warriors to a treble in 2012, winning the FA Cup, Super League and Malaysia Cup. The east coast side retained their FA Cup title last year.
With the right money incentives and a star-studded cast, half the battle has already been won. All Hodak needs to do is just to manage egos. It is no walk in the park but he has done it before and passed with flying colours.
So would Hodak be the next JDT coach? Chances are likely.
Should he take it? That is a question only Hodak is able to answer.
However, Hodak has a more important task at hand – to ensure Luka visits Legoland this weekend before the five-yearold kicks up a storm and decides to boycott Johor for good.
The ball is in your court Hodak. Make the right choice.
IT was supposed to be a trip to Legoland. Instead, former Kelantan coach Bojan Hodak — who donned a Johor shirt — was seen seated next to football pundit Serbegeth Singh (aka Shebby) at the VIP area in Larkin Stadium during the Johor Darul Takzim (JDT)-Selangor match on Saturday night.As Hodak and Shebby watched the Southern Tigers maul the Red Giants 4-1, fans pondered if there were moves to replace JDT coach Cesar Ferrando Jiminez after the FA Cup quarterfinal return leg match against Kedah at Darulaman Stadium tonight.
JDT seem uncomfortable being placed sixth in the Super League after five matches. With an interesting line-up — from the likes of former Argentinean international Pablo Aimar, Luciano Figueroa to national players Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, Safee Sali and Safiq Rahim — it is only natural to expect good results from the team.
Sources claimed the Croatian met Johor FA officials and it is “pretty much a done deal”.
So what’s the story Hodak? “I was supposed to take my son (Luka) to Legoland but there were no tickets so we couldn’t go,” he said.
“So I decided to watch a match at the stadium. I may visit Legoland this week instead.”
No deal signed? You just decided to go all the way to the Larkin Stadium to watch a match in a Johor shirt?
“Look, I’m a free man at this point in time. But as far as I am concerned, they have a coach at the moment so they are not free (no vacancy).”
What about rumours that you have already secured a spot there?
“People like to talk.” But why JDT, Hodak? “Why not?”
To be fair, many had asked him the same question when he took up stints coaching the now defunct UPB-MyTeam (2006– 2009) and Kelantan (2012-2013). He proved critics wrong by winning a string of trophies along the way. He was hailed in Kota Baru, after leading the Red Warriors to a treble in 2012, winning the FA Cup, Super League and Malaysia Cup. The east coast side retained their FA Cup title last year.
With the right money incentives and a star-studded cast, half the battle has already been won. All Hodak needs to do is just to manage egos. It is no walk in the park but he has done it before and passed with flying colours.
So would Hodak be the next JDT coach? Chances are likely.
Should he take it? That is a question only Hodak is able to answer.
However, Hodak has a more important task at hand – to ensure Luka visits Legoland this weekend before the five-yearold kicks up a storm and decides to boycott Johor for good.
The ball is in your court Hodak. Make the right choice.
Dear Bro Haresh,
ReplyDeleteIf it happens, then Luka will get to see not only Legoland but Danga Bay and Istana Pelangi as well la bro !
JDT's catch is FAM's loss ! While FAM were interested in trying French cookies.....the wise ones in JDT,,,,must have seen BH's proven credentials (on the domestic front) and blending factor to chart their success.
After a jittery and nervy start, JDT appear to have found their cohesion.It will turn out to be entertaining with BH's guile and football brains.
All JDT needs to do now is to pack Figuero off. This guy is bringing shame and disrepute to the game. Malaysians don't want
to see such disrespectful characters. In all the games he has played thus far...his behaviour, especially towards our referees is not pleasant at all.As it is our football is in a bad shape already and foreign players should not sully it further with their on field antics towards match officials.
Also bro, harap JDT players will not be served with Venky's (Blackburn) eggs for sarapan pagi !!!!!!
Cheers
Peminat Sukan JB.