No Dooley no problem as Pahang can count on Dollah to deliver

Good one: Yevhen Bokhashvili celebrating his goal.

PETALING JAYA: Is losing control in the dressing room the reason why Pahang coach Thomas Dooley was “rested” after just two matches into the Super League season?

It appeared that Dooley’s method did not go down well with the players, if what caretaker coach Dollah Salleh implied is true.

Dollah worked his magic in just his second match in charge by steering the Elephants to their first 2-1 victory over fellow strugglers Sabah at the Darulmakmur Stadium on Tuesday.

The homesters opened accounts through Ukrainian Yevhen Bokhashvili in the 55th minute before former Terengganu skipper Lee Tuck doubled the lead 15 minutes later.

Sabah’s Indonesian signing Saddil Ramdani pulled one back in the 80th minute but the Rhinos failed to salvage at least a point in the closing stages.

With the three precious points in the bag, Pahang moved up to ninth with four points while Sabah are 11th with just one point.

Dollah, who had two coaching stints with Pahang from 2010-2013 and 2017-2020, still commands the trust and respect in the dressing room despite having been redesignated as the team manager this season.

Dooley, a former United States international, was brought in after Pahang finished a lowly eighth last year.

Asked what he did to turn things around, Dollah said: “Nothing special. It was just like before.

“The players and myself, we treat each other like brothers and we can always chat freely. There’s no gap between coaches and players, but of course, they do show me respect.

“That’s my way of handling the players, I don’t want any of them to feel tense and discontent.

“When players go to the training ground or matches, they are all free to enjoy themselves. I won’t stamp my authority.”

Dollah has heaped praises on his foreign stars especially Lee Tuck.

“I’m very pleased, particularly with Lee Tuck. He was shaky in his first-two matches but showed improvement against Melaka (0-0), ” said Dollah.

“I told him to push himself even more to help the team secure the much-needed win and he managed to do just that.

“He’s definitely our man of the match.”

Dollah was also delighted with Bokhashvili who scored his first goal since joining from Indonesian club PS Sleman.

“He has a lethal finishing touch but currently he is playing at only 40 to 50% of his true capability.

“His fitness is still not there yet due to lack of competitive football.”