Alberts happy to take ugly win

Sumber: Borneo Post

Sarawak coach says result more important than style

KUCHING: Sarawak head coach Robert Alberts is happy his team edged Selangor PKNS 2-1 on Friday night even if they had to do it the ugly way.

He said it was always good to play attractive football but the bottom line was the result.

The first half of that home match was dour goalless affair with both sides struggling to create chances.

The goals came early in the second half when Sarawak captain Joseph Kalang Tie’s long range effort put the crocs ahead.

However, before the celebrations over that goal ended Selangor PKNS captain Mohd Fauzan Dzulkifli equalised to silence the crowd.

The match seemed to be heading for a draw until Muamer Salibasic, who has been plagued by injuries since January, finally scored his first goal of the season in the 80th minute.

After the match Alberts said the players did what they were told to do – keep the play tight and fight for every ball.

“We managed to secure the three points and to me that is a job well done. Everybody worked hard to win and we did it,” he added.

However, the win came with a price as team captain Joseph and Mohd Rashid Aya will miss the next match against Perak after accumulating three yellow cards and have to serve the mandatory one match ban.

Joseph, who has just returned to the Crocs’ starting lineup against Selangor PKNS after a spell of injury was obviously frustrated and showed his feelings by storming off the pitch after the final whistle.

Alberts seemed unperturbed by the absence of his two first team players as he believed Sarawak had adequate cover for both of them.

“Ashri (Chuchu) can fill in for either Joseph or Rashid’s roles and we have the others in the team who are also capable of doing that job in the midfield too. 

We can cope with their absence,” he said.

Sarawak’s next match against Perak will be played on Friday next week (May 23) at the Perak Stadium in Ipoh before the Super League takes another three-week break.