KUCHING: Sarawak captain Ronny Harun will miss tonight’s FA Cup quarter-final first leg match against Terengganu at Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium in Kuala Terengganu, head coach David Usop revealed on Thursday.
The Kampung Long Pasia, Sipitang, Sabah-born defender suffered an injury to his left ankle during an international friendly match against the Philippines recently and has still not completely recovered.
“Risking Ronny, risking a serious injury for someone, I wouldn’t contemplate that, not an injury that could risk his career,” according to David.
“The defender will have to wait until he is being fully recovered, hopefully in time for the Super League 2017 campaign at Selayang Municipal Council Stadium on April 8,” he added.
32 years-old Mohd Hairol Mokhtar is set to be preferred to start in the central-defense in replacement of injured defender.
The returns of the experienced central defender after serving a seven-month suspension by the Disciplinary Committee of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) is much anticipated.
Meanwhile, David has revealed that Sarawak have dual missions tonight – to win and score more away goals – before the return leg of the FA Cup quarter-final match against the Turtles at State Stadium in Petra Jaya on April 21.