All out fans support
KUCHING: Newly-formed Sarawak United team are enjoying overwhelming support from local football fans who put high hopes on them to do well in the league.
A check on the team’s Facebook page found that the team’s fan club has hit 2,600 members, who all wished Sarawak United good luck in the league.
All of them wished to see Sarawak United bring back Sarawak football glory which came about during the reign of legendary coaches Awang Mahyan, English coach Alan Vest and Netherlands coach Robert Alberts.
For the record, Sarawak Ngap Sayot team under Mahyan made it to the Malaysia Cup semifinals in 1988.
Under Vest the team won the FA Cup in 1992, Premier League title in 1997 and the Charity Shield in 1998.
In 1999, the team entered the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup Winners’ Cup after beating Ho Chi Minh Customs of the VLeague by 5-2 on aggregate in the first round and Yangon City Development of Myanmar Premier League 4-0 on aggregate in the second round but crashed out to J-League’s Kashima Antlers on aggregate.
Sarawak made their first Malaysia Cup final in 1999 under Abdul Jalil Rambli but lost 1-2 to Brunei.
In 2013 Alberts led the team to lift the Premier League title, their first domestic trophy.
A Sarawak United Fans Club member Samson Mangang, 53, hoped Sarawak United could bring back the glory of Sarawak football.
“Sarawak won the FA Cup, Premier League and the Charity Shield under Vest and Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) under the late Datuk Taha Ariffin from 1992-1998.
“Everybody was very happy, the stadium then was always full. We had great players like Jalil Rambli, Pengiran Bala, Roslan Ismail, Affendy Julaihi and Australian imports in the likes of John Hunter, Jeff Curans and towering David Evans.
Samson said he wouldn’t want to miss Sarawak United’s first match at home.
“They must play hard and fight for a place in the Super League. It would bring back our football glory,” he urged together with Masri Rie and Alexander Radi.
Three other fans Elden Roeland, 26, Aeries and Meruan Sayau wanted the players not only to win the Premier League title but also gain promotion to the Super League.
“With a pool of good local and import players undoubtedly Sarawak United would be a strong team and do well in the league,” added Meruan.
Joshua Kana hoped the team’s management could take good care of the players’ welfare, especially with regard to their salaries. Mohd Ashraf Abdullah, 29, said with good players and an experienced coach Sarawak United could gain promotion.
“It’s also the dream of Sarawakians to see that the team bring back the Malaysia Cup across the South China Sea,” enthused Mohd Ashraf.
Lesley Jua believed that with strong support from everyone the team would certainly perform to expecteations.
On the other hand, Stanly Ipkiss said it was too early to praise the team.
“However, win or lose, the team deserve our full support. It was disappointing to see that less than 100 people watch Sarawak playing at the State Stadium last year.
“That shouldn’t be our attitude. Let us give the team our full support, not only when they win matches,” stressed Stanly.
Amin Aini called on all local fans to come to the stadium and give their support to both Sarawak United and Sarawak FA teams.
“We want our stadium to be filled with our supporters. Whichever team win, the titles would still bring pride to the state.
Eder Rozy was happy that besides the state government, several corporate bodies also supported the teams financially.
