Hard to carry on: Kelantan players (in red) struggling to stop Kedah’s Ebenezer Assifuah during a Super League match on Jan 10. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Kelantan are in financial dire straits and could lose more key players soon.
Some sources claim that coaches and players of the Golden Deer have not been paid their salaries for four months.
The club have been in a shaky position after losing Myanmar striker Aung Kaung Mann and the South Korean cast of centreback Kim Lik-hwan, winger Bae Kyeong-hwan and forward Jung Byung-ju.
It got even worse when their captain and Palestinian international midfielder Oday Kharoub decided to leave for Libyan club Al-Ahly Benghazi.
Now, it’s learnt that Brazilian striker Washington Brandao, Palestinian forward Layth Kharoub and Czech Republic defender Michal Jerabek are discussing with the management on whether they should stay on.
All that paints the bleakest picture for Kelantan, but assistant coach Rezal Zambery Yahya is not losing hope of saving the team.
He intends to turn a disadvantage into an advantage as he sees the current crisis as an opportunity for the young local players to showcase their talents in the Super League, with only seven games remaining in the season.
“We will now rely on our local players to make the most of the remainder of our league campaign,” said Rezal.
“I’ve told the local boys this is the time for them to step up and show their quality and value. Of course, playing without the imports will be tough but we have to move forward.
“The local players are motivated to prove themselves and they have the best opportunity to do that now.”
Kelantan have had a torrid season as they are currently bottom in the 13-team league with seven points from seven matches.
They next face Perak at the Manjung Stadium on Jan 26.
Kelantan, however, are not the only club struggling with financial issues this season. Kedah have also lost several key players due to unpaid wages, with some claiming that they have not been paid for almost nine months.
Then there are also Kuala Lumpur, who also owe their players a few months’ wages.
