KUALA LUMPUR – It has been ”smooth going” for 33-times Malaysia Cup champions Selangor since the Malaysian Football League teams were given the green light to resume training after complying with the standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the Health Ministry and the National Security Council (NSC) to check the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19).
However, the Red Giants, the 33-times winners of the Malaysia Cup, will only get down to ”field training” much later – June 22 to be exact – but head coach B. Satianathan is pleased with what he has seen of his players who have cleared have done the swab test.
Selangor has also put in place ring all the other standard operating procedures (SOP) as laid down by the Health Ministry and the NSC.
Satianathan is pleased to note that his players have been “very disciplined” in their self-training during the movement control order (MCO) which came into force on March 18.
”Frankly, Selangor players – both local and foreigners – gave me a surprise when I saw them. Several of them have added more muscle…which means they carried out their self-training programs diligently.
“This is a plus point for the team,” said Satianathan, a former national coach who also revealed that Nigerian striker Ifedayo Olusegun is still in Nigeria (Lagos).
“I have kept in touch with Ifedayo…he has been training on his own and is in good shape.”
According to Satianathan the Nigerian had returned home on March 16 after Selangor’s match against Kedah to visit his ailing mother. He was given permission to visit his mother as there was a two-week break in the league after the match against Kedah.
“This was before the government implemented the MCO due to Covid-19. Unfortunately, international traveling was also clamped down and Ifedayo is still stuck in Lagos.”
Satianathan added that efforts are being made with the relevant authorities to bring the striker back and the coach is hoping to get a “positive result” as Selangor keeps pace with leaders Johor Darul Takzim in the Super League.
The Red Giants are five points off the pace after four matches. Six-time Super League champions JDT top the table with 10 points followed by Perak in the second spot on eight points, Pahang third (six points) followed by Sabah, Felda United, and Selangor on five points each.
The league has been shortened to one round with seven more matches to play. The Malaysia Cup will be played on a knockout format.
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