Penang coach Zainal Abidin Hassan has been given the green light to select new recruits in order to beef up his squad for the second half of the Super League season.
“I have been given the full support from the management (headed by President, Zairil Khir Johari) to select my choice of new players,” said Zainal.
“Zairil has agreed for me to have three new import changes. Two players were dropped due to their performances and one due to injury.”
Earlier two foreigners – Australian midfielder Diogo Ferreira and Hong Kong defender Andrew Russell -were dropped and now Brazilian defender Reinaldo Lobo is the latest casualty after an unfavorable medical report.
“Unfortunately, we’ve received the doctor’s report and the result was not favorable to the team as he will not recover in time when the league resumes.
“We have come to a conclusion that the only solution was to replace him.”
Only Papua New Guinean forward Nigel Dabingyaba, who is the team’s current top scorer with four goals, will be retained.
The 55-year-old veteran has snapped up three new foreign replacements after a dismal performance which saw them being placed at the bottom of the 12-team standings with six points after 13 matches.
The new imports are Gambian winger Sanna Nyassi, Philippines striker Mark Hartmann (main pix) and American Guamanian defender Brandon McDonald.
Apart from that, two local veterans – midfielder Azidan Sarudin and striker R. Surendran – have also been recruited to lift the spirits of the Panthers.
“We have recruited some experienced hands to give further morale to the team. The guidance from the seniors will definitely benefit the young players who are working very hard.
“We have a tough time remaining in the Super League so every point from the remaining nine games will be valuable for Penang.
“We will have to work twice as hard as we can’t afford to drop anymore points,” said Zainal.
So far two young defenders – Abdul Qayyum and Redzuan Subaidi – are the casualties to join in the croc klist. – BY ALVIN OH
