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AT A RECENT TRAINING SESSION … Wathiq (left) and Rahman. There will be several changes to Sabah’s line-up when they take on Melaka at the Likas Stadium tonight.
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3rd July, 2009
KOTA KINABALU: The Rhinos’ Head Coach Wathiq Naji Jasim is facing the axe!
It was reliably learnt that Wathiq, who is one of the most decorated coaches in the Middle East, has been given an “indefinite leave” from his duty by his employer – the Sabah FA.
Indications are that the Iraqi will unlikely be on the Rhinos’ bench when they take on Melaka in a Premier League clash at the Likas Stadium tonight as the New Sabah Times Sport understands that Assistant Coach Mohd Asyraaf Fong Abdullah has been named as the caretaker of the team temporarily.
In fact, Asyraaf, a FA of Malaysia “A” Licence holder, has been seen taking over the Rhinos’ daily training in Likas here for the last few days.
While the Sabah FA office refused to comment on or confirm the matter, but the FA is expected to issue a statement today, an indication that Wathiq is on his way out.
The Rhinos are currently languishing fourth from bottom in the 13-team standings and are in danger of being relegated to the FAM Cup League, which is considered as the country’s third league after the Super League and the Premier League, and is being competed by all club sides harbouring hopes to see top flight action.
Rahman Zakaria when contacted was also tight-lipped when asked to comment on Wathiq’s position in the team.
However, he stressed that they will do anything to improve the team.
He also revealed that there will be a slight reshuffle to the line-up facing Melaka.
Rahman hinted that there are also likely to be changes to certain positions of the players, which is a clear indication that Wathiq plays no part in the team’s preparations ahead of the Melaka date.
Among those that are expected to play different roles tonight are flanker Billyton Vun Ket Ming and Wong Sai Kong.
Wong is no stranger to playing different roles in the team as he is seen as one of the utility men in the squad, but for Billyton, it will be kind of strange for him as he is expected to start as the left-back, while Mohd June Azral Lalah on the right.
Wong meanwhile will be at the heart of the defence together with Gasili Pangalot.
Skipper Rosdin and Joey Ryan Gundok will be at the heart of the engine room.
Julamri Muhammad is Asyraaf’s likely choice to play on the right side of midfield while Leopold Alphonso Otong on the left with Zaykiel Leong and Zainizam Marjan in attack.
Rahman also revealed that nippy Reserve League striker Azran Askaran is expected to make his Premier League debut tonight.
The Keningau lad has been included in the Rhinos’ start list ahead of Selyvister Saini.
For the record, Wathiq is one of the most high-profile coaches to have guided the Rhinos.
Glancing at his background, he received a Grade A Certificate for Professional Football Coaching in 1978 from the German Football Association (DFB) in Frankfurt, Germany. In 1967, he was awarded a Higher Diploma in Football and Sports Science from the German University of Physical Culture and Sports, which is better known as Deutsche Hochschule für Körperkultur und Sport (DHfK) in Leipzig.
This university was later attached to the University of Leipzig after the German reunification on 3rd October 1990. In 1961, he completed his undergraduate study and received a Bachelor of Science degree from Baghdad, Iraq.
Wathiq attended many professional courses such as in Cologne in 1973, London in 1969 and Germany in 1983.
But when the vastly experienced and knowledgeable Wathiq cannot help Sabah’s cause, it makes one wonder what actually is wrong with the team!
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