By FRANCIS XAVIER
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah FA U-19 and U-21 Selection Committee chairman Benedict Asmat is satisfied with the quality of the players who turned up for the first phase of selection trials that was held over three days at the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex.
More than 150 hopefuls attended the selection trials, which is for the State U-19 and U-21 teams for the 2018 campaign.
The Sabah FA Selection Panel was headed by Justin Ganai.
He was assisted by several coaches, including Sabah Rhinos head coach Jelius Ating, his assistant Burhan Ajui, Johnny Dominicus, Awang Sabtu Jamil, Billyton Vun Ket Ming, Matasan Ahmad and Jasrih Jabidin.
“There are quite a number of players who have got quality, but unfortunately we cannot take them all because we are only looking for players for two teams.
Furthermore, we still have players from the 2017 squads who are still eligible to play in the competition next year.
“Nevertheless, we will give them the opportunity to prove their worth at the second phase of selection trials, which will be held from Nov 28 to 30,” said Benedict when met on the final day of the selection at the Likas Stadium yesterday.
Benedict said their coaching panel will sit down in a day or two to finalise the list of players that will make it into the second phase of selection trials before they announce the selected players through local newspapers or via Short Message Services.
“The selected players will fight for berths in the teams with the current players.
It is going to be a tough competition for them, but we believe that this is a good sign for football in the state,” he added.
At the moment there are 32 players from the 2017 squad eligible for the U-21 side. Fifteen of them are from the 2017 U-21 team while another 17 from the 2017 U-19 squad.
The fifteen are Ranilson Batuil, Stanley Sulong, Mohd Radzi Saad, Hamran Peter, Fazile Jamileh, Eddey Ladius, Mohd Azmizan Rosli, Muhammad Zaki Sapri, Sullan Elvis Noh, Mohd Danishaizz Annuar, Mohd Jaylanie Kamaruddin, Yuseddy Yusiman and Abdul Raihan Rajum.
Those from the U-19 team are Junloyck Pini Andawat, Kelvin Pengiran, Prosper George, Evan Wensley Wenceslaus, Adi Ali, Mohd Aidil Shahrolmizan Asimin, Pican Piok, Mohd Shah Mizie Abdul Rahim, Arius Dius Jais, Shahrul Asnan, Beckham Rico Louisee, Ellend Child Henry, Mohd Suzairee Samail, Fedrick Fadzly Gusmia, Mohd Shariman Mukarim, Mohd Asri Rustam and Mohd Aidil Safee.
The current players still eligible to play for the U-19 squad are Joslan Aping, Gerald Gadit, Mohammad Syahmil Nizam Iqbal, Mohd Syukri Baharun, Mohd Aidil Muhimian, Mohammad Amirul Afiq Ali, Syafiq Ichwan Saiman, Muhammad Faqhrurazi Ahmad, Mohd Hizaz Mohd Lokman, Mohd Iqhbal Kassim and Leonardo Lisua.
Benedict said that apart from these selection trials, they will still be in the hunt for talented players at the Sabah Games, which will be held in Sandakan next month.
Sabah U-19 team manager Mohd Yassin Aman was also present at the selection trials.
