Kelantan are back in the hunt for a goalkeeper after their request to have Khairul Fahmi Che Mat for the Malaysia Cup group matches was turned down by the FA of Malaysia.
Team manager Azman Ibrahim, who received confirmation on the matter from FAM secretary general Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad on Sunday, said the team had no choice but to look for a replacement goalkeeper.
"At the moment, only Shahrizan Ismail is fit enough to play as Halim Napi and Norhadi Ubaidillah are still recovering from injuries," Azman said at a Hari Raya reception at his residence in Kota Baru on Sunday.
"At the moment, only Shahrizan Ismail is fit enough to play as Halim Napi and Norhadi Ubaidillah are still recovering from injuries," Azman said at a Hari Raya reception at his residence in Kota Baru on Sunday.
"Khairul Fahmi will not be available for at least four matches and it is too big a risk to play without a good reserve keeper on the bench."
Azman said one of the reserve Olympic squad goalkeepers could be available to play for Kelantan in Khairul Fahmi's absence.
"But we have not decided on any particular goalkeeper just yet as we are still looking for the best on-loan goalkeeper.
"But we have not decided on any particular goalkeeper just yet as we are still looking for the best on-loan goalkeeper.
"Chances are, we should be able to survive without Khairul Fahmi for at least first four matches but that is only if nothing happen to Shahrizans early in the tournament."
Kelantan, who are Malaysia Cup defending champions, are drawn in Group C with Johor FC, Felda United and Sarawak.
"We are not in any hurry to bring in a replacement goalkeeper as we do not have a deadline to meet. We will probably decide after our match against Sarawak on Tuesday (today).
"What we have here is a special case and we have permission from FAM to sign up a goalkeeper of choice any time before or during the Malaysia Cup competition," he said.
Meanwhile, captain Badri Radzi said even without Khairul Fahmi, Kelantan are ready to defend the Malaysia Cup they won for the first time last season.
"I am not trying to be cocky and with due respect to the other teams, I just feel that Kelantan are good enough to go all the way again," he said.
"With new on-loan signings Azammuddin Mohd Akil and R. Surendran adapting well, we ought to be stronger than before."
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