Desperately seeking Mendoca still hopeful of finding new club

PETALING JAYA: Brazilian playmaker Sandro Mendonca (pic) is still hopeful of a last hurrah in Malaysia before drawing the curtain on his career after failing to secure an extension with Sarawak United.

The 38-year-old is determined to find a new team in the Malaysian League before the first transfer window closes on Feb 22.

“I know I can still help Malaysian football, on and off the field. I’m upset I can’t continue my stint with Sarawak but I hope another opportunity comes,’’ said Mendonca.

“I want to retire with dignity and respect, in front of fans in the stadium.”

A disappointed Mendonca gave an account of why the extension with Sarawak did not happen.

“I was negotiating with the president and at his command, the management called me and we came to an agreement.

“So I travelled to Malaysia and during the quarantine, the president called me and it seemed like everything had been arranged.

“I was waiting for the contract and getting out of quarantine to go to Kuching to sign the deal as agreed but it didn’t happen.

“I was shocked and very disappointed because we worked hard and sacrificed a lot throughout the year to get Sarawak into the Super League.’’

Mendonca helped Kedah win the Premier League in 2015, Malaysia Cup in 2016 and the Charity Shield and FA Cup in 2017.

He then played for Selangor from 2019 to 2020, where he played 38 games and scored 14 goals, before joining Sarawak United last year and was instrumental in helping them to win promotion to the Super League.