The Malaysia Super League is back! After what appeared to be a monumental hiatus, all the excitement and drama that we usually get from the country’s top league is already underway with Johor DT defeating Pahang to lift the Charity Shield last weekend. And if you thought last year was brilliant, be prepared to watch things escalate to a whole new level this year. With Johor DT pushing forward in their expansion plans, other teams trying to keep up and match the Southern Tigers, and the fiasco involving television rights for the league; there’s so much more to expect this year. That being said, FourthOfficial.com will be unleashing a series of club previews over the next five days and we’ll take a look at all the teams that will be strutting their stuff in the Super League this year. Next on the list is Sarawak FA
SARAWAK FA
Manager: Haji Mohammad Abu
Head Coach: Robert Alberts
SQUAD LIST
GOALKEEPERS: Fadzley Rahim, Aidil Mohammad, Iqbal Suhaimi
DEFENDERS: Ronny Harun, Mazwandi Zakeria, A. Varathan, Ramesh Lai, Dzulazlan Ibrahim, Hairol Mokhtar, Dzulfadli Awang, Ivan Fatic
MIDFIELDERS: G. Mahathevan, Sabri Sahar, Ashri Chuchu, Nazri Kamal, Shahrol Saperi, Joseph Kalang, Dalglish Papin, J. Parthiban, Shreen Tambi
FORWARDS: Ronald Hikspoors, Ikhwan Izzat, Ryan Griffiths, Billy Mehmet
2014 STATS
Malaysia Super League: 7th
Malaysia FA Cup: Quarter Final
Malaysia Cup: Group Stage
ANALYSIS
2015 was a topsy turvy year for Sarawak FA. They came into the Super League on the back of an impressive season in the Premier League, but inconsistency got the better of them for most parts of last season. But in 2015, things could actually far more delicate. A mass exodus of players took place during the off-season with the likes of Junior Eldstal, S. Chanturu, Gabor Gyepes and Muamer Salibasic all departing the club. But Robert Alberts acted quickly in securing the signature of Billy Mehmet to add firepower upfront. G. Mahathevan was also snapped up, though there are valid questions as to whether he’d be good enough to replace Junior Eldstal at the heart of their midfield. But one interesting signing that they’ve made is the acquisition of J. Parthiban, who is on loan from Perak. The talented youngster displayed his abilities on several occassions with Perak last year, and could actually turn out to be a breath of fresh air with the Crocs.
That being said, pre-season results and performance hasn’t exactly been solid. Robert Alberts himself admitted that the team is still struggling to develop an identity and strengthen the chemistry that exists between the players. Sarawak fans though, will take heart from the fact that they’ve got two strikers who can bang in the goals on their day. Question is, will the ammunition be good enough?
VERDICT: Strugglers
List of Club Previews:
1. Kelantan FA
2. Terengganu FA
3. Perak FA
4. PDRM FA
5. ATM FA
6. Selangor FA
7. LionsXII
8. Felda United
9. Sime Darby
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