New Sabah Times
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Football Association will unveil its new-look squad for the new season at the latest by November 15, its Secretary General, Alijus Hj Sipil said yesterday.
Once they finalise the squad, Alijus said the team, which is under the watchful eyes of David McCreery, will be undergoing pre-season intensive training, which include a training stint at the Out Bound School, Kinarut, motivation session and fitness test among others.
He added that they also plan to send the team for a pre-season tour to a neighbouring country.
“We are currently working out on the overseas tour, and if everything goes according to plan, the team will be playing a few friendly matches during the tour,” said Alijus.
On its open selection trials that was cut short from an initial three days to two days, he said that the turnout from local footballers was pretty much encouraging.
“During the trials, we also tried a few foreign players as well as local imports from Peninsular Malaysia.
“In fact, our head coach was quite impressed with one player, who played for Pahang this season,” he said without revealing the identity of the said player.
“There is a big possibility that he will be added to the seven local imports, who have agreed to don Sabah colours for the new season.
On the last slot for a foreign player, Alijus said they will decide on the matter in the next few days.
“We will have to have a good look at more players because there are more coming in the next few days,” said Alijus, while convinced that they will have the squad for the new season by Nov 15.
The FA has already agreed to tie Welsh defender Rhys David Weston for the other foreign slot.
