KUCHING: Sarawak are keeping their expectations measured at the 2026 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) Selangor, with the focus firmly on navigating the group stage before setting their sights higher.
Football Association of Sarawak’s (FAS) President Datuk Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman said strategy would play a crucial role as Sarawak prepare to face Sabah and Terengganu in the football competition.
“We are confident going into SUKMA this time because some of the teams we will face are teams that we have played before in the President’s Cup.
“We are in a group with Sabah and Terengganu, so strategy will play an important role. We have to be careful in the group stage and focus on the right matches,” he said.
Fazzrudin said Sarawak would also use the group stage to assess their opponents, particularly Sabah and Terengganu, whom he described as strong sides.
“We will have the opportunity to watch both teams before they meet us, so we can study how they play and prepare accordingly.
“Our target is to progress to the quarter-finals, but anything beyond that will be a bonus,” he told Sarawak Tribune during the team’s training session at the Sarawak Energy Sports Complex here recently.
He said the squad’s youthfulness could work in their favour, with the SUKMA experience expected to help the players develop further.
“The players are young and most of them are still eligible for the next SUKMA. So, our target is actually the next SUKMA,” he said.
Fazzrudin stressed that Sarawak would not look too far ahead, with their immediate priority being to negotiate the group stage before turning their attention to the knockout rounds.
“We want to get through the group stage first. Once we reach the next round, then we can really feel the carnival atmosphere and push all out,” he said.
Sarawak will face Sabah on Aug 13 at 4 pm before taking on Terengganu at the UKM Stadium on Aug 15, also at 4 pm.
