KUCHING: The Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) made an abrupt uturn when eyeing foreign import players who are playing in the Australian League. It was against the FAS’s earlier wish to use one hundred percent local players in the squad. Undoubtedly, if Sarawak want to give a more competitive challenge, FAS must use foreign import services despite now competing in the Premier League.
According to FAS president, Dato Posa Majais, they are now in the process of monitoring players from Australia. “We need to use foreign import players in some positions,” stressed Posa. “Right now we are in the process of negotiations with the players, just waiting for their decisions,” he said.
“Everything will be decided around next week,” said Posa, who is into his second season at FAS helm. Currently, there are five players from outside the state who are participating in Sarawak squad training sessions.
They are Kevin Gunder (centre), Iqbal Suhaimi (goalkeeper), Mohd Firdaus Muhamad (goalkeeper), Mohd Sabree Mat Abu and Muhd Muzamir Abdul Hadi. Another candidate is a MalaysianAustralian player, Shazalee Ramlee who is also a former Pulau Pinang midfielder.
Historically, the Sarawak team have used import players from Australia several times. Among them were John Hunter, Davis Evans, Jeff Curran, Aloistair Edwards, PJ Roberts and some lesser-known players. A handful of them did bring success to Sarawak team. Among them are Hunter, Evans, Curran who helped Sarawak win FA Cup 1992 while Alistair led Sarawak to win the 1997 Premier League, which was the elite league.
