Defending Malaysia Cup champions Kelantan are in a bind – they have only two goalkeepers available for next week’s Malaysia Cup campaign.
First choice goalkeeper and national No. 1 Khairul Fahmi Che Mat is on national duty with the Under-23 squad for the Asian zone final round qualifying tournament for the 2012 London Olympics while reserve Norhadi Ubaidillah is recovering from a lung infection.
Khairul will miss the opening four matches in the group stage of the Malaysia Cup competition while Norhadi, who featured in the World University Games in China last month, has been told to rest for a month.
This leaves the Red Warriors with only Shahrizam Ismail and veteran Halim Napi to fall back on.
And this is a major cause of concern for team manager Azman Ibrahim.
“I am keeping my fingers crossed because we will have to survive with only two goalkeepers,” said Azman yesterday.
Second-choice goalkeeper Shahrizam is set to start for Kelantan when they open their Group C campaign against Sarawak in Kuching on Tuesday. The other teams in their group are Johor FC and Felda United.
But the biggest concern for Azman is that the 40-year Halim “has been a mere passenger in the squad since 2009 and has yet to feature in a single match in the last two years”.
“Halim has only featured in a couple of friendlies recently. He has not played a single competitive match from last season. It is a serious problem and we cannot afford any injuries in this department,” said Azman.
Kelantan, who have won the Charity Shield and the Super League titles, will start as favourites in the 16-team Malaysia Cup competition.
Coach Datuk M. Karathu has added more bite up front with the loan signings of Pahang strikers R. Surendren and Azamuddin Mohd Akil.
First choice goalkeeper and national No. 1 Khairul Fahmi Che Mat is on national duty with the Under-23 squad for the Asian zone final round qualifying tournament for the 2012 London Olympics while reserve Norhadi Ubaidillah is recovering from a lung infection.
Khairul will miss the opening four matches in the group stage of the Malaysia Cup competition while Norhadi, who featured in the World University Games in China last month, has been told to rest for a month.
This leaves the Red Warriors with only Shahrizam Ismail and veteran Halim Napi to fall back on.
And this is a major cause of concern for team manager Azman Ibrahim.
“I am keeping my fingers crossed because we will have to survive with only two goalkeepers,” said Azman yesterday.
Second-choice goalkeeper Shahrizam is set to start for Kelantan when they open their Group C campaign against Sarawak in Kuching on Tuesday. The other teams in their group are Johor FC and Felda United.
But the biggest concern for Azman is that the 40-year Halim “has been a mere passenger in the squad since 2009 and has yet to feature in a single match in the last two years”.
“Halim has only featured in a couple of friendlies recently. He has not played a single competitive match from last season. It is a serious problem and we cannot afford any injuries in this department,” said Azman.
Kelantan, who have won the Charity Shield and the Super League titles, will start as favourites in the 16-team Malaysia Cup competition.
Coach Datuk M. Karathu has added more bite up front with the loan signings of Pahang strikers R. Surendren and Azamuddin Mohd Akil.
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