Daily Express
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Rhinos have signed two local imports from Super League side Kelantan on the final day of the transfer window on Tuesday.
Head coach Mike Mulvey named Mohd Rozaimi Azwar Mat Noor and Faizol Nazlin Sayuti as the two new members in the team in their challenge for promotion this season.
Both the players are from the Kelantan President Cup squad and are in their first season with the senior team. Faizol was the captain of the team that won the 2013 President Cup title and he had a training stint with English Championship side Blackburn Rovers.
The two are to replace Taufiq Abd Haq and M. Yoganathan who were released by the management with the former now playing for Melaka while the latter is still without a team at the moment.
Mike said he was impressed by both players in their first training session with the team on Monday evening at the UMS Stadium.
"They looked good in training. I like them, they looked athletic and they looked like they have good touch on the ball.
"It is always difficult when you bring in new players but I received recommendation from a close friend and we had a chat with George Boateng (Kelantan ex-coach) and we got advise on these players, and everything they said about them is true."
He said the recruitment of the duo is to strengthen the midfield department.
"They are both midfield players and one of them can play at the back as well.
"Basically in my team everybody are attackers and everybody are defenders and that is the way I look at it so they can contribute going forward and they can contribute defensively.
He said he did not want to put too much pressure on the players and wants them to first feel at home with the squad.
"I think it is always unfair to put expectation on new players and obviously they are expectations but you don't want to put too much pressure on them.
"I just want them to enjoy it and be accepted by the fans as they are here to play for Sabah."
He also disclosed that the two new players will be in the team to face JDT II tomorrow (Friday).
