By FRANCIS XAVIER and UMESH RAJAN
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Football Association (Safa) have beefed up its squad with the signing of Serbian attacker and Korean defender as the new season looms. Luka Milunovic and Park Taesu were unveiled by Safa Acting President, Datuk Peter Anthony on Tuesday during the team’s training session at the Likas Stadium, near here.
Also present during the unveiling ceremony were Safa Secretary General, Andrew Majangkim and team manager, Henry Soimpon. Luka, 26 is the second Serbian in Sabah’s line-up this season alongside Roduljub Paunovic while Park, 29 is the third import as the Tambadau continue their search for the fourth import. According to Paunovic, Luka, who is likely to be deployed behind strikers, is a big name back home.
After all, he is a Serbian former Under-21 international. Back to Peter, he stated that they are currently eyeing another attacker to strengthen the team’s chances of Super League promotion this season. When commenting about the signing, he told reporters that both players signed a one-year deal and are set to make their Premier League debut against Johor Darul Ta’zim II (JDT II) at Likas Stadium this Saturday.
“We have agreed to sign the two players after lengthy discussions with the team management and coaches where right now we only need to find one more import to complete our import quota. “Park who last year played with Korean club, Hwaseong FC, has already been with the team for several weeks including our pre-season tour to the Philippines while Luka arrived from Melaka United,” he said.
Peter continued that Sabah will have to make do with only three imports for the opening match this weekend for the meantime. “We have to settle for what arsenal we have at the moment but I believe the Tambadau have what it takes to go up against JDT II this Saturday,” he added. Meanwhile, Peter also explained that the mascot changes from Rhinos to Tambadau which is a local slang for gaurs in Sabah, as part of the team’s re-branding.
“As Safa went through a major management change, we needed a new identity hence the Tambadau branding came through…I believe with the new branding, our team will grow even stronger. “Other than that, we agreed to switch our traditional home jersey colour from red to white this season with the hope it will change the team’s luck,” he said.
Daily Express
Sabah rope in two new imports
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Premier League side have been strengthened by two new foreign imports before the season-opener against JDT II this Saturday here at Likas Stadium.
Sabah Football Association (Safa) acting president Datuk Peter Anthony disclosed the news at the Likas Synthetic Pitch where the team were having a training session on Tuesday.
“As I had said earlier, despite the association being in a tough situation at the moment, we decided on the importance of import players to the team and today we would like to announce the signing of two players.
“In defence, we have Park (Taesu) from South Korea and also Luka Milunovic from Serbia who is an attacking player. We may add another later as we are still searching for a striker.
“But with the opening match against JDT II set for this Saturday, we may have to use what is available for the time being,” he said.
The new imports may most likely see action this Saturday according to him.
“These two new imports have received the approval from FAM (Football Association of Malaysia) and they are eligible to play this Saturday.
“So with our existing import (Rodoujub Paunovic), we may feature three imports in that match but it is also up to the coaches to decide whether they are in the right condition to play, and if they do then they may get to start the match.”
He also touched on adopting ‘Tambadau’ as the team’s new mascot this season.
He also touched on adopting ‘Tambadau’ as the team’s new mascot this season.
“There is no major issue on this as Negeri Sembilan who used to adopt a deer as their mascot has also decided to change and adopted a rhino this season.
“We have been using Rhinos for a long time now and there was no improvement, and who knows by adopting Tambadau, it may bring good luck to the team. That’s all.”
Meanwhile, 29-year-old Park Taesu who last played for Hwaseong FC in his home country and 26-year-old Luka Milunovic who was a Melaka United player last season have signed one-year contracts with the management. -GL Oh
