MELAKA: The compatibility of Sabah FC's three new import players will be tested in three friendly matches, which will take place in Thailand starting Jan 28, says head coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee.
He said that his main line-up will leave for Bangkok on Jan 27 to play against visiting clubs from South Korea, Thailand and Denmark.
“These three matches are quite important to ensure we get a rhythm, especially with the presence of many new players in the Sabah FC team.
“Hence I hope that with the training in Thailand, I will be able to form a good combination before the other matches,” he said when met by reporters at his family's residence here Sunday (Jan 22) in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration.
Sabah FC signed three new import players – former Gremio Esportivo Brasil player, Gabriel Peres; former IBV club player in the Icelandic league, Telmo Castanheira; and former Kelantan import player from Nigeria, Jacob Njoku – in early January.
The presence of these three players thus strengthens the Rhinos, now with five import players, including Saddil Ramdani and Park Taesu, whose contracts have been extended.
Meanwhile, the 52-year-old coach admitted that he needed a little more time to strengthen the performance of his players, despite them having undergone training for three weeks.
“Basically, we need three to eight weeks of training to ensure the players are at a high enough fitness level.
“We hope players can continue training because every player in Sabah FC is important, given that this year we have to play many matches," he said. - Bernama
