New Sabah Times
KOTA KINABALU: Juil Nuatim sees there are plenty of potential players at the ongoing selection trials, which is being used to select the State President’s Cup Squad 2012.
The State squad Under-21 team manager said he was quite pleased especially with the size and height of the hopefuls.
“I’m quite surprised with what I saw. There are several players who have good size and height. I can see that they are quite talented as well. I have spoken to the coaching panel to have a good look at them,” said Juil, when met at the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex field B yesterday.
Around 70 hopefuls turned up for the two-day selection trials that end today.
However, Juil said they are not looking at only their size or height, but there are other criteria that need to be fulfilled.
“Anyway, I’m delighted to see that there are so many young players who are interested to join the State team, and I would like to wish them all the best.
“Some of them looked impressive and showed good skills, but those are not the only criteria that would help get them selected. Apart from skill and enthusiasm, we are also looking at body size.
“This is very important because football is a contact sport and ball possession is often determined by the profile of a team’s players. If they are too small then they would not be able to win challenges,” said Juil.
Among the 70 odd hopefuls, who came from all over Sabah, were 12 from this season’s squad.
There are another four from this season’s squad who are still eligible, but they have opted out either due to studies or work.
The 12 who have decided to stay with the team are Endre S. Tipay, Mohd Nazrin Ramli, Muis Mursalam, Bryan Thomas Simon, Mohd Adiafandi Dullah and Zul Mansshah Aling.
The others are Dendy Lowa, Zackkalani Antanom, Azuan Azmah, Didie Arizal Rahman, Robson Rendy Rining and Florencius Larim.
However, the fate of Muis and Florencius in the team is still unclear as both midfielders are currently studying at the Universiti Malaysia Sabah.
“We are still undecided on the fate of the duo. We need to talk to them first. Education is very important and we will not want to disrupt their studies,” said Juil.
Present to conduct the selection trials were head coach Johnny Dominicus and assistant manager, Matasan Ahmad and assistant coach Burhan Ajui as well as goalkeeper coach Awal Taham.
