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Wednesday April 30, 2008

Perak hit by hepatitis

By LOGANATH VELLOO

PENANG: Hepatitis has struck down Perak players and it has thrown the spanner in the works of the team's preparation for a crucial AFC Cup Group E match against New Radiant of Maldives in Ipoh tonight.

Four key players are out and team officials are worried that more players would be afflicted in the coming days.

Of the four, Perak coach Steve Darby said that former international Mohd Nor Ismail (pic) was in the worst condition. The striker is bedridden in hospital and has been put on drips.

Blood tests for hepatitis also turned out positive for midfielders Ahmad Shahrul Azahar and Danial Fadzly. And Darby has described the two players as being like “dead men walking” and they have zero chance of taking the field tonight.

The fourth player, goalkeeper Mohd Hamsani Omar, turned up unwell for training yesterday and was ordered to head to hospital to have his blood sample taken as well.

To compound matters, striker Khalid Jamlus is undergoing a knee operation today.

“Although we have not pinpointed the exact source, we believe that the players came down with hepatitis after consuming contaminated food during one of our recent away matches,” said Darby in Ipoh yesterday.

“Khalid was having problems with his knee and it was thought best for him to undergo surgery now. We wanted to get the injury sorted out before the Malaysia Cup begins.

“With the five seniors out, I have no choice but to fill my bench with the untested Under-20 (President's Cup) players for tonight's game.”

Perak, who are in second spot in Group E on seven points and they need a win against the Maldives' side in their penultimate preliminary round match to keep their quarter-final hopes alive.

They will be away against leaders Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), who they trail by three points, on May 14.

Hong Kong side Kitchee are third on four points and New Radiant prop the group on one point.

“Despite taking the field with a depleted side, it is crucial for us to get a victory against New Radiant. We want to head to Singapore with a fighting chance to make it to the last eight,” said Darby.

“But New Radiant are no pushovers. They held SAF to a draw in Singapore in their last game. Although we beat them 3-1 in Maldives, we had to rely on breakaways to score. I expect another tough encounter in Ipoh.”

The other Malaysian side in the competition, Kedah, take on Victory FC in Group D in Male today. A simple win over Victory would be enough for Kedah to progress.

The five group champions and three best second-placed teams progress to the quarter-finals of the second-tier AFC club competition.

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