This waiting game isn’t part of Sathia’s plan, MFL

PETALING JAYA: Selangor coach B. Sathianathan’s patience is running thin as he waits for the Malaysian Football League (MFL) to announce the dates for the 2020 M-League season.

The former national team coach said it would be difficult to plan his team’s pre-season training without the confirmed dates although the Red Giants have scheduled to begin their camp today.

“We will start our training tomorrow and all the players except for those who are with the national team will report for training on Dec 18, ” said Sathianathan.

“The national players have a longer break so they have enough time to return refreshed.

“We were told that the Super League will begin in the middle of February but now it may be at the end of February and there’s still no official announcement from the MFL yet.”

The Red Giants have confirmed that Nigerian hotshot striker Ifedayo Olusegun, Australian centreback Taylor Regan, and Brazilian creative midfielder Sandro Mendonca will remain for the 2020 season.

Spanish striker Rufino Segovia, who missed out the 2019 season due to injuries, is fully fit and will return to first-team duties next season.

Selangor have also signed highly-rated midfielder Brendan Gan and it is learned that the Klang Valley outfit have also snapped up versatile Singaporean Safuwan Baharudin to boost the squad as they look to at least clinch a silverware in the new season.

Last season, Selangor finished third in the 12-team Super League with 37 points.

They reached the semi-finals of the Malaysia Cup and the third round of the FA Cup.

“We have completed our ‘shopping’ early for the new season.

“Rufino told me that he’s fully fit and it’s like having a new player with the team, ” said Sathianathan.

“I will now work on getting the players to be on the same page, it will take some time and I hope the players can click together fast.”