Sarawak futsal head coach confident ahead of SUKMA semi-finals

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Head coach Mohd Faizal Zamri expressed optimism for his futsal team’s future following Sarawak’s 3-1 victory against Federal Territories (FT) in the 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA 2024) futsal event.

“Alhamdulillah for this win; this is what we wanted — to bring Sarawak to the podium,” he  told the media during a press conference after the match at Samarahan Indoor Stadium today.

Faizal acknowledged that the first goal came from a mistake by the opposing team, but he remained focused on Sarawak’s strategies.

He noted that despite facing challenges from FT, including a well-organised defence, the team’s ability to adapt during timeouts helped shift the momentum in their favour.

Additionally, he said the substitution of key players, such as Mohd Aedel Izzwan Iswandi and captain Mohamad Azrin Shahmin Jefery, proved crucial in maintaining defensive strength and leadership on the court.

Young talent Mohamad Nazwan Airil Mohamad Haykal, at just 16 years old, also showcased his skills and confidence at the match.

 “To overcome my nervous, I played confidently,” he said.

His performance, along with contributions from top scorer Awang Irfan Syahreeza Awang Ahmad, who attributed his success to the support of fans, has set a positive tone for the upcoming semi-final against Perak.

As they prepare for the upcoming crucial match against Perak on Wednesday (Aug 21), Faizal is aware of the challenges ahead, especially facing a team that recently secured a significant win.

However, he remains confident in his squad’s ability to rise to the occasion, bolstered by the unwavering support of Sarawak’s fans.

“The presence of the audience provides motivation, especially with the chants of ‘Ayuh ayuh ayuh Sarawak ku hari ini kita mesti menang’, truly ignites our spirit,” he said.