On right path: Ott Manuel and Co are in the Malaysia Cup semi-finals after shaky start. - Terengganu FC
PETALING JAYA: It has been a hell of a ride for Manuel Ott with Terengganu this year.
From a shaky start to a sizzling finish, the 32-year-old Ott from the Philippines is just contented that the Turtles had found their momentum back after going through many changes.
They ended the year by assuring their place in the semi-finals of the Malaysia Cup and will take on Johor Darul Ta’zim in the first leg on Jan 17 at the Sultan Mizan Stadium in Gong Badak, Terengganu.
In the Super League, they are lying in the fourth spot behind JDT, Selangor and Sabah and will be out for a top three finish when the league resumes next year.
Ott admitted they had to deal with the departure of Croatian coach Tomislav Steinbruckner in October and also foreign players like Dutch centreback Matthew Steenvorden and Croatian midfielder Marin Pilj.
“We had a long pre-season and started well but then kind of hit a low in the middle, but we are getting back on track under coach Badrul (Afzan Razali),” said Ott, whose first stint with Terengganu was in 2022.
“The departures of coach and players impacted our consistency and our current coach Badrul had to deal with it in the first few games.
“It’s always challenging to find consistency as a team after a change in coaching staff plus players leaving within the season.
“Probably, the toughest part of this long season is just to be mentally ready when it matters.”
He said Badrul had lifted the spirit of the team.
“It hasn’t been easy for coach Bad to come in since this wasn’t the squad he had planned at the beginning of the season, but we are starting to get an understanding of his ideas and picking up results,” said Ott.
“The mood in the squad is better since the coach took over. There is a healthy conversation exchange with coach Badrul and that’s probably why the atmosphere is better.
“He is always open to suggestions from players and tries to find the best solution for the team.”
Ott believes the team will return from the break stronger.
“Everyone knows the quality of JDT. The Malaysia Cup is a knockout game so you will never know what can happen, but I do know that we will give our best and try to give them a good challenge. “
