Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Perak Money Woes
It isn't just Indonesia where clubs have cash flow problems. In the Malaysia Cup Perak also seem to be running out of money as this report from The Star shows.
It’s a different ball game for Perak during training
By LOGANATH VELLOO
GEORGE TOWN: Most teams find competing in the Malaysia Cup to be a tough challenge.
But Perak consider the competition to be a breeze compared to what they endure in daily training.
Coach Steve Darby admitted that his major problem is to figure out how to bring the best out of his players in training.
Unpaid salaries from April have affected team morale. To make matters worse, the squad are not allowed to train at the Perak Stadium in Ipoh for the past two weeks because of unpaid stadium bills.
“I have no problem for the Malaysia Cup as real match atmosphere kicks in automatically and the players give their best. But it is a different story on the training ground,” complained Darby yesterday.
“They have many things on their minds. The real hard work is done in training and it is difficult when the players' hearts are not on the task.
“It does not help when we are forced to train on an awful pitch at a public park that does not have facilities like toilets or parking spaces. In fact, a few players have received parking fines.”
The Englishman, however, commended his players for sticking together and not allowing the financial woes to affect their performance on match days.
A 5-1 win over Armed Forces two days ago, coupled with Group C pacesetters UPB MyTeam's shock 1-2 defeat by Johor Pasir Gudang, have placed the Seladangs as contenders for a place in the quarter-finals.
With three matches remaining, Perak are in third spot on 12 points behind MyTeam (18) and Perlis (13).
Darby is confident that Perak, who are also through to the AFC Cup quarter-finals, can get past the group stage.
Perak take on Johor PG in Ipoh tomorrow followed by matches against MyTeam at home on July 18 and and away on Aug 2.
“To advance, we need to collect maximum points from the remaining three matches. And we need to hope for other results, especially those involving Perlis, to go our way,” said Darby.
Meanwhile, the future looks bleak for former national striker Khalid Jamlus, who is down with injury for the past eight weeks.
It’s a different ball game for Perak during training
By LOGANATH VELLOO
GEORGE TOWN: Most teams find competing in the Malaysia Cup to be a tough challenge.
But Perak consider the competition to be a breeze compared to what they endure in daily training.
Coach Steve Darby admitted that his major problem is to figure out how to bring the best out of his players in training.
Unpaid salaries from April have affected team morale. To make matters worse, the squad are not allowed to train at the Perak Stadium in Ipoh for the past two weeks because of unpaid stadium bills.
“I have no problem for the Malaysia Cup as real match atmosphere kicks in automatically and the players give their best. But it is a different story on the training ground,” complained Darby yesterday.
“They have many things on their minds. The real hard work is done in training and it is difficult when the players' hearts are not on the task.
“It does not help when we are forced to train on an awful pitch at a public park that does not have facilities like toilets or parking spaces. In fact, a few players have received parking fines.”
The Englishman, however, commended his players for sticking together and not allowing the financial woes to affect their performance on match days.
A 5-1 win over Armed Forces two days ago, coupled with Group C pacesetters UPB MyTeam's shock 1-2 defeat by Johor Pasir Gudang, have placed the Seladangs as contenders for a place in the quarter-finals.
With three matches remaining, Perak are in third spot on 12 points behind MyTeam (18) and Perlis (13).
Darby is confident that Perak, who are also through to the AFC Cup quarter-finals, can get past the group stage.
Perak take on Johor PG in Ipoh tomorrow followed by matches against MyTeam at home on July 18 and and away on Aug 2.
“To advance, we need to collect maximum points from the remaining three matches. And we need to hope for other results, especially those involving Perlis, to go our way,” said Darby.
Meanwhile, the future looks bleak for former national striker Khalid Jamlus, who is down with injury for the past eight weeks.
# posted by Me @ 5:30 AM 
