Stuck In A Rut
Assistant coach Luis Alcántara congratulated the visitors for their victory, but admitted that it was not good to let losing become a habit. "I don't want to be reminded of those bad old days where we headed into a friendly wondering how many we would concede. However, if it's any consolation, our strikers are building up their playmaking sense, which is becoming of great use in our competitive games."
There have been unconfirmed whispers that
Mohd Safri bin Mohd Kassim and
Chow Ying Lee may have been tapped up as future national-teamers, but neither player wished to comment on the speculations. Alcántara too kept mostly mum. "I am confident that they will get picked if they are good enough." was all he would say.
Niculae Stanca was up to his scouting again in the meantime, watching upcoming opponents SpartanSG oust Italian travellers Caposaragnano Spurs in extra time. Teenager Robbie Tan was carried off after a painful fracture in the 85th minute, but dangerous winger Lóránt Somogyi looked in top form despite carrying a knock.
"It's curtains for us if we don't get the three points, and we're without lu." Stanca said. "I will be counting on the likes of
Abdul bin Jantan and
Zhu Changchun to make up for his absence. Now or never!"
