Daily Express
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Rhinos have signed Australian Joel Chianese to fill up the fourth foreign import quota in the team.
The announcement was made by team manager Datuk Seri TC Goh on Thursday at the Likas Stadium.
"I am very happy to announce that Sabah Rhinos have successfully signed a contract with an Australian as our fourth import for the season.
"His name is Joel Chianese from Auckland City Football Club of New Zealand and we believe his presence with help us to strengthen the team's attacking power," he said with the presence of Sabah Football Association (Safa) Secretary General Alijus Sipil and assistant team manager Rahman Zakaria.
Goh also disclosed that they will utilise the open window which begins from April 1-28 to review the status of some of the local players.
"We are reviewing the current players in the team both local and from the Peninsula to see if they are still suitable for the team in the remaining season.
"And at the same time we are also looking for local players from here and the Peninsula who can fit into our style of play because our main aim is to strengthen the team."
Meanwhile, 25-year-old Joel said he is looking forward to play for Sabah after his stint with Auckland City FC did not work out as planned.
"I was signed with Auckland City to play in the AFC Champions League and for whatever reason it fell through during the registration time and before that I was with Sydney FC.
"I am really looking forward to this opportunity and it has been fantastic with the boys and my housemate Eamon (Zayed) has been looking after me as well and I am ready to play for Sabah and give my best."
Despite only being here for a few days, he is confident that with Mike Mulvey at the helm, the team will do well in the league.
"I am enjoying my time here and Mike seems to be able to bring out the best from the team. I think the result will be forthcoming in the next few weeks, that is for sure."
In another development, Goh also announced that Mike Mulvey will swap places with Justin Ganai starting April 1.
"As technical director of Sabah, Mike has significantly made a strong impact to the team with head coach Justin Ganai based on the last two victories here at the Likas Stadium.
'Therefore I also would like to announce here that for Sabah Rhinos to achieve better performance, Mike and Justin will swap positions in the sense that Mike will become the new head coach of the team.
"Meanwhile, Justin who is more experienced on the local players as well as the President Cup squad will be given the task as technical director."
He added the two will continue to work together as a team for the next match.
"Mike and Justin are to work together in the match against T-Team in Kuala Terengganu and we hope the combination will continue to produce positive results."
