DEFENDING THE DEFENDER: Sathianathan praises Reuben’s performance
THE harsh criticism of the national team’s performance in a 1-1 draw with Bahrain on Tuesday is unwarranted, according to former national coach B. Sathianathan.
Sathianathan is particularly indignant by pot-shots taken at right-back K. Reuben by media commentators and fans on social media and expressed sympathy for K. Rajagobal, his successor as national coach.
Armed Forces defender Reuben started the Asian Cup qualifier in place of Mahalli Jasuli, who was benched after conceding a penalty in a warm-up match against the United Arab Emirates a week earlier.
Unlike Selangor’s Mahalli, Reuben does not bomb forward as often and other than two passes which could have put his team in trouble, generally had a good game in what was his fourth start in seven senior international appearances.
“I am particularly cheesed off with this constant comparison between Mahalli and Reuben,” said Forces coach Sathianathan.
“If Mahalli had played, the right side would have been exposed because he would be going up all the time.
“People say that Reuben does not go forward and makes too many mistakes but he only made one. Maybe he was playing to the coach’s instructions (not to go forward).
“I would like to meet these people and give them a piece of my mind. But hats off to Raja. The team played well. We don’t have the quality of teams like Bahrain who can play short passes and a compact game.
“We cannot create play like this. He has done his best for the team and should be recognised for it.”
Turning to Forces’ Malaysia Cup semi-final first leg tomorrow against Kelantan in Selayang, Sathianathan said his squad are ready for the visit of the defending champions.
Forces lost 3-2 in last year’s Malaysia Cup final and would like nothing more than to dump the champions out of the tournament.
With the exception of defender Amiridzwan Taj Tajudin, who is suspended for two matches after being sent off against LionsXII in the quarter-final second leg, Sathianathan has everyone else available with Reuben and Fitri Omar returning from the national team to rejoin training.
“It’s going to be tough and I hope everyone will play to their capability,” said Sathianathan, who is widely linked with the vacant Selangor coaching position.
“It will be a challenge for me and the players to see how we can cope. I’ve decided that (Irwan) Fadzly (Idrus) will fill in for Taj because he has more experience playing at this level.”
Forces defeated Young Tigers A 2-0 in a friendly match on Saturday at Wisma FAM in Petaling Jaya with Marlon Alex James and Nizaruddin Yusof getting the goals while Irwan partnered Shukor Adan in defence.
Irwan has been filling the left-back position since recovering from injury and that slot will now go to Fitri, who will drop back from the left-wing role which in turn could be filled by Venice Elphi or S. Thinagaran.
Alternatively, Bruno Martelotto could go out wide, as the Argentine has done several times this season, with Rezal Zambery Yahya then returning to central midfield.
K. Reuben (left) in action against Bahrain on Tuesday. Pic by Goh Thean Howe