KOTA SAMARAHAN: Sarawak’s futsal squad have shed their underdog image and emerged as a formidable contender for the championship title in the 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA).
Team manager Zambia Gobel expressed confidence in Sarawak’s ability to compete at the highest level, crediting the team’s underdog position as the driving force behind their determination to showcase the talent and prowess of Sarawakian players.
“Being seen as an underdog fuelled our spirit. We wanted to prove our worth and instil confidence in our team and supporters.
“Futsal in Sarawak is not just a sport but a competitive force, regardless of how we’ve been perceived in the past. Today, we’ve proven that Sarawak are a team to be reckoned with, and we’re ready to challenge any opponent in SUKMA,” he said.
Zambia said this during the final pre-match press conference held at the Kota Samarahan Indoor Stadium’s media room today.
Sarawak are set to face Selangor, one of the tournament favourites, in the futsal final this afternoon. The Sarawak team secured their spot in the final with an impressive 7-3 victory over Perak on Wednesday (Aug 21), while Selangor booked their place by defeating Penang 3-0 in the semifinals.
Sarawak captain Mohamad Azrin Shahmin also echoed the team’s confidence, citing the rallying cry ‘Agi Idup Agi Ngelaban’ as a source of inspiration for the squad’s relentless pursuit of excellence on the court.
“Believing in our individual skills and our collective strength, we’re going all out in the match against Selangor today.
“To our supporters, come and join us at the Kota Samarahan Indoor Stadium. Without you, we are nothing,” Shahmin said passionately.
He urged fans to fill the stands and give their support.
The much-anticipated final is scheduled for 3 pm, with Sarawak aiming to cap off their journey with a historic victory on home soil.
