Playing in the afternoon may affect team’s performance, says Zaki

Kejap main petang, kejap main malam. Begitulah senarionya pada ketika ini. Apa pun, mungkin di negara kita sudah biasa dengan game pada malam hari. Semoga berjaya hendaknya pasukan negeri ku..:)

Petikan The Star, 3/2/2011..:-

A daylight glitch

COACH Zaki Sheikh Ahmad is worried that playing at 4.15pm could affect his team’s performance in the Premier League campaign.

“Playing at night and daytime are two different ball’s game but I just hope my boys can cope with it,” he said.

Zaki said in their first match against Penang in Batu Kawan, his players were exhausted and complained about the heat.

The “Bujang Senang” team will face Harimau Muda B at the State Stadium at 4.15pm on Feb 11.

“I would like to urge locals to come and support our team because we need their help to boost the morale of the players,” said Zaki, who is worried that the matches may be played in an empty stadium because most people would still be at working at that time.

Local fans are expressing their unhappiness over the fixtures of the home matches.

A diehard fan of Sarawak football team, Mohd Ariff, 24, said the time would definitely affect the turnout at the stadium.

“At 4.15pm most people are still working, so who will have the time to come to the stadium to watch the match?” he said.

Echoing Ariff’s view is his friend Desmond Tan, who is disappointed that he would be missing the match.

“I am working with a private company and my work finishes at 5pm. So it looks like I will miss the matches,” said Tan.

It is unavoidable for Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) to hold the matches in the evening for the next two months at the stadium as the floodlights are being repaired.

Meanwhile, arrangement is being made by the Sarawak Die Hard Fans (Sadiehaf) to bring their members to Kuching to support the State Premier League team when they face Harimau Muda B.

Sadiehaf general manager Hairul Faizee Sa’aidin said four buses would be used to bring the fans on Feb 10 from Miri, Bintulu, Sibu, Sarikei, Betong and Sri Aman Division.

He said each fan would be charged RM200 which will include transportation cost, accommodation and match tickets.

Hairul said the response has been very encouraging and hope that more would join the trip.

He said the purpose of bringing in supporters from other divisions was to give morale support to the players and the team.

Sarawak won their first match 4-0 against Penang at Batu Kawan Stadium on Monday.

With the win, which has been regarded as a morale booster for the team, the local fans are expected to return to the stadium to watch the “Bujang Senang” skuad facing Harimau Muda B.