PETALING JAYA, 9 Sept – Pahang head coach, Dollah Salleh is at his wits end after the Elephants suffered two defeats in a row since the Malaysian Super League (MFL) resumed on Aug 28 – losing 3-2 to six-time champions Johor Darul Takzim (JTD) at home and 1-0 to rookies UiTM away.
When naturalized, Malaysian Mohamadou Sumareh “disappeared” from training without news and went AWOL things have not gone Pahang’s way.
The two defeats on the trot have taken its toll on Dollah who has his back against the wall with injuries to strikers Dickson Nwakaeme (Nigerian) and Ivan Carlos (Brazilian). Dollah is resigned to name his team for the home match against Police.
Nwakaeme is nursing a knee injury while Carlos is down with an ankle injury and their absence has left a big vacuum upfront.
”Nothing has gone right for us since the league resumed. We had bad games against JDT and UiTM although we were very much into the match. However, we made glaring mistakes which cost us dearly,” said Dollah when contacted in Kuantan on Wednesday.
“I have no choice but to play the youngsters in my match plans and strategies…but sadly they have not been able to perform. That’s my predicament.
“Apalah nasib Dollah,” lamented the former national coach who guided Pahang to second place in the league last season the semi-finals in the FA Cup and Malaysia Cup. Pahang won the FA Cup in 2018.
Former international goalkeeper Sharbinee Allawee made a horrendous mistake against UiTM from which scored the winner against Pahang. He could make way for another former international Helmi Eliza.
It has been a journey into the unknowns for the Elephants who are now in the eighth spot with six points from six matches. It is a do or die mission against Police this week and a win is very much needed to regain their confidence.
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