POLICE coach Dollah Salleh, who has been told to rest for two to three weeks after undergoing heart surgery to insert a stent last Tuesday, just cannot stay away from his first love – football.
Dollah is defying the doctor’s order to rest, and wants to oversee his charges in their second round FA Cup match against Penang Water Supply Corporation FC (PBAPP FC) tomorrow.
“The team left by road this morning. I will fly to Penang on match day. I am in good shape,” Dollah told Sports247.my.
“I want to be with the team for the match. The morale of the players for this important match is high. At stake is a place in the quarterfinals and I want to be part and parcel of the team.”
This is the first time Police have gone beyond the round of 32 in the competition since they competed in 2011.
The Cops have shown good form in the Premier League under Dollah – winning both their opening two matches convincingly – beating title contenders Johor Darul Takzim II (3-1 away) and Penang (5-1 at home) to top the table.
The former international was operated just hours after seeing his team whip Penang.
In Dollah’s absence, his assistants Fauzi Pilus, Azman Adnan and Nazrulerwan Makmor conducted the training.
“We may be on the top of the league, but the FA Cup is a different ball game. Moreover there is no second chance and we need a win to stay alive in the competition,” added Dollah.
“PBAPP are also unbeaten thus far in the league and held experienced sides like Felda United (1-1) and Negri Sembilan (0-0). I find them tough nut and we will have to be at our best if we want to advance to the quarterfinals.”
PBAPP coach Yunus Alif meanwhile is ready to take his newly promoted side, which is only three years old – to new heights.
Yunus said, “We have nothing to lose. The pressure is on Police to deliver…as they have foreign players in their side. This makes them the favourites to win.
“We have a young team. My players have shown great determination and discipline in our matches so far and I expect them to do the same against Police.”
