PETALING JAYA: The departure of Datuk Ong Kim Swee was a hard pill to swallow but it’s all part and parcel of football, says Sabah goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat.
When Kim Swee left the Rhinos at the end of last month, Khairul admitted that it left an impact on the team.
But there was no point in wallowing in the past.
“We were quite affected when coach Kim Swee left, but as players, we have to be professional.
“We know that players come and go, and the same goes for the coaching staff. What we are doing now is focusing on our team and also following the new coach’s instructions,” he said.
Slovakian coach Marin Stano was appointed as Sabah’s head coach for the remainder of the Super League season after Kim Swee chose not to extend his contract with the club.
Kim Swee had taken over the gaffer role at Persis Solo, a football club in the Indonesian League.
Khairul clarified that he had no intention of leaving the club and following Kim Swee to Indonesia, citing his 35-year-old age as a factor in remaining in Sabah.
Meanwhile, Khairul said he feels relieved that Sabah have made their way into the Malaysia Cup semi-finals.
Sabah ended their second leg quarter-final match against Kuching City with a goalless draw but it was enough to see them through as they entered the match with a 1-0 lead on aggregate.
“We are all very excited about that and it’s one of our best results.
“I feel it’s a very good chance for us to go far, of course, we want to make it to the final. We just have to take it step by step,” he said.
