KUALA LUMPUR, Mac 8 – Former international Sharbinee Allawee gave a good account of himself in goal to help Sarawak United to a 2-0 win over Kelantan United FC in their opening Premier League match at the Hang Jebat Stadium in Melaka on Sunday.
Terengganu-born Sharbinee was a last-minute signing by Sarawak United coach E. Elavarasan to tighten things up in the last line of defense.
The vastly experienced Sarbinee turned out to be a wise buy by the East Malaysian hopefuls as the team is eyeing a promotion to the Super League next season.
Sarawak United next plays Perak II and this is considered a tough one because the match will be played in the late afternoon. Perak II is also riding high with a 1-0 win over Kelantan FC in Kota Bharu in their first match.
It will be a test of character for both teams at the Perak Stadium in Ipoh on Wednesday. Elavarasan also revealed that he will rotate his foreign imports in the first couple of matches due to several factors.
Topping the list is that players Sandro Mendonca and Uche Agba were late arrivals and only had a couple of training sessions after serving quarantine due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Sandro a Brazilian midfielder came on as a substitute in the last 15 minutes of play against Kelantan United.
Uche scored Sarawak United’s second goal via a penalty after 32 minutes after Christie Jayaseelan had given his team the lead in the 12th minute.
”It is an afternoon match and the current hot and humid weather conditions will have a bearing on the players. Perak II not only won against Kelantan FC but also played the match in the afternoon,” said Elavarasan after the team’s workout at the MAHSA University grounds on Monday.
Sarawak United left for Kuala Lumpur at around 2am on Monday after the match against Kelantan United.
”Sharbinee had a good game despite joining the team late. Taylor (Regan) and Mat Yo (Norshahrul Idlan Talaha) were in the thick of the action and so was Lee Chang-Hoon. We could have scored more in the second half if we had been sharper with the chances.”
Elavarasan gave credit to the team for winning the first match of the season. ”This is important (to win the first match) as it is usually difficult to play the first match,” added Elavarasan who is into his second season with Sarawak United.
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