KUALA LUMPUR – Sri Pahang team manager Datuk Dollah Salleh is on cloud nine with the progress shown in this season’s Super League, citing that his team are on the right track for a top-three finish.
Dollah, who won 81 caps and scored 33 goals for Malaysia, was a club legend for the Elephants during his playing days from 1991 to 1996, scoring 76 goals in 125 appearances for the club.
The 60-year-old national football legend also had two stints as head coach of Sri Pahang (2010-2013, 2017-2021) before being promoted to be the club’s team manager in 2022.
Speaking to Scoop, Dollah said he was impressed with how the new signings, made by head coach Fandi Ahmad in the last transfer window, had managed to swiftly adapt to the team’s system.
Fandi joined Sri Pahang last year following successful coaching stints with the Young Lions, Pelita Jaya, Johor Darul Ta’zim and the Singapore national team.
The 61-year-old former Singapore national striker was once the most prolific player in his country, earning a total of 101 caps and scoring 55 goals between 1979 and 1997.
For the record, Sri Pahang had been on a player-signing spree with deals for Sean Selvaraj, Adam Nor Azlin, centre-back Aleksandar Cvetkovic (Serbia), Kuvondik Ruziev (Uzbekistan) and Manuel Hidalgo (Argentina).
“So far, I’m happy with the performances shown by the players, especially the new signings in the Super League, and we are pleased with our good start.
“Things are working well under coach Fandi. He always ensures that he brings out the best in the players and does his job efficiently. He’s a no-nonsense coach and will not think twice to kick out a player if they are not committed to the club.
“So far, all the players are really committed, and it can evidently be seen through their performances on the pitch. The atmosphere within the team is amazing, and we can see all of them treating the club as a family more than as colleagues.
“I’m confident that with the squad depth and potential that we have, there’s no doubt that we can finish in the top three this season,” said Dollah when contacted.
Sri Pahang currently rank fifth in the Super League after securing four points from two games.
Last season, Sri Pahang finished fifth in the Super League with 46 points.
The Elephants will take on Penang in the first round of the FA Cup on June 14. – June 12, 2024