Sarawak fans upset Sarawak FA failed to play all imports against Sabah FA
February 25, 2019
The Sarawak FA fans have expressed their displeasure over the defeat of Sarawak to rivals Sabah FA.
However, even more displeasing to them is the fact that Sarawak had not played all four of their import players in the starting line up despite having the duo available for the match.
Their displeasure stemmed from the fact that both Muamer Salibasic and Rian Firmansyah were only starting from the bench during the match against Sabah last Saturday with Sabah playing with three imports after one was declared injured.
For Sarawak, Rian and Salibasic weren’t declared injured, and it was simply a tactical move by head coach Anai Igang to play his first eleven without the duo.
It was however reported after the match that Salibasic wasn’t match fit and is struggling with an old injury.
Salibasic plays best as an attacking midfielder or striker, while Rian plays as a midfielder or winger.
Both players were substituted in later in the game and their contribution towards the game only aggravated fans echo that all import players should play from the start.
Salibasic when introduced in the 80th minute made instant impact by assisting Sarawak’s only goal of the match.
His contribution towards the goal made fans even more agitated, knowing that Salibasic might have done more if he played from the start.
This therefore puts Anai in a difficult situation to defend his tactical approach towards one of the most important games for Sarawak fans because nothing beats defeating your neighbors, and in this case Sabah.
Some other fans are also starting to wonder if Sarawak should have signed Salibasic and Rian in the first place.
To these group of fans, import players should play given that they should be better than the local Sarawakians players, an are usually paid higher than the rest of the Malaysian players.
Their stand on the matter does have grounds because import players, regardless of team, is expected to deliver, and it is a waste to sign a foreign player only to have him benched.
If the import players are always not starting, it makes no sense to keep them, unless they can always deliver as a super-sub and win games for Sarawak.
Sarawak play UKM next in the Liga Premier.
This article is brought to us by our Sports Writers Club resident columnist – Cyril Dason.
