PETALING JAYA: A thumping win has come on the proper time to revive the spirits of a Kuala Lumpur soccer group beset by off-field issues.
An 8-0 thrashing of M3 membership Langkawi City of their FA Cup first spherical encounter on the Cheras Football Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday has introduced again the grins.
Fakhrul Aiman Sidid scored a double (thirteenth and twenty ninth minutes) whereas J. Partiban (fifteenth), Zhafri Yahya (forty fifth), Giancarlo Gallifuoco (73rd), Hadin Azman (76th), Paulo Josue (86th) and Kevin Koubemba (89th) acquired their names on the scoresheet too.
Bojan Hodak’s group, slowed down by talks of unpaid wage, performed with nice freedom and pleasure to attain freely to guide a spot within the second spherical.
But earlier than the match, there have been talks that the membership didn’t pay their workers and players for 2 months (January and February) and this was confirmed when Kuala Lumpur Football Association (KLFA) president Khalid Abdul Samad revealed the matter in the course of the affiliation’s congress yesterday.
It can also be learnt that Khalid and chief government officer Stanley Bernard Samuel may very well be compelled to depart the membership attributable to inside politics however a dependable supply within the membership quashed the rumours.
“The stories are aplenty but the salaries will be paid. We will be okay. The CEO is handling the matter and we should get through this period,” stated the supply.
“We will pay the January and February dues during the international break. Everything will be back to normal before they take on JDT in the Super League. This break is important to strengthen our financial position.”
Hodak admitted there was a delay however stated the administration contacted the players and workers often to maintain them up to date.
“If you do not pay the salary, there will be a problem but we are always briefed. Even last year, we were paid late a few times but everything was manageable. If they (management) communicate regularly, that is fine, so far it’s fine,” stated the Croatian.
As for the FA Cup match, Hodak was pleased with the group’s first clear slate of the season.
KL performed out a 3-3 draw with Selangor and misplaced 2-3 to Kedah of their first two Super League matches.
“It’s good to see our defence holding out well. And I am also glad that many players got on the scoring list. It’s a good sign,” he added.
