PETALING JAYA: An unexpected flu bug has hit the Selangor camp.
The whole team, including head coach B. Sathianathan, are either down or recovering from flu.
For Sathianathan, this development does not augur well ahead of his team’s match against the newly-promoted side Petaling Jaya City at the Petaling Jaya Stadium today.
“I’ve no idea where it came from, but the doctor has advised us not to share water bottles and immediately sanitise our hands when we shake hands,” said Sathianathan.
“A few of our key players – Abdul Halim Shaari and Rufino Segovia – are back in training, but Taylor (Regan) and Antonio (German) (pic) look doubtful for the match against PJ City.”
Selangor had a cagey start to the season when they were held 1-1 by another newly-promoted side Felda United last Sunday.
Knowing K. Devan’s capability as a coach, Sathianathan has urged his players to be careful of PJ City’s counter-attacks.
“PJ City are powerful in defence and quite potent when it comes to counter-attacks. Any side that trains under Devan will be disciplined,” he said.
“Our positioning during the match must be good, and I’ve told my players to be disciplined when facing a side like PJ City.”
The former Felda United coach also lavished praises on PJ City’s South Korean midfielder Bae Beom-geun, but has a plan to stop the 25-year-old from being the orchestrator in the midfield.
“When I was coaching the Armed Forces, he came for trials but wasn’t selected. However, he stayed on with us to train and then left to play in Belarus,” said Sathianathan.
“He is one of the most prominent midfielders in the league right now, and we have to keep a close eye on Bae. Also, the two Brazilians (Pedro Henrique and Giancarlo Rodrigues) will be dangerous.
“They have yet to score, but Devan always has an eye for good players. I’m sure these two towering strikers will produce the results.”
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/football/2019/02/09/influencing-factor-selangor-at-a-disadvantage-in-tie-against-pj-city/#xdZZxUh8eluRfm0q.99