KUCHING: With fewer than three weeks remaining until the commencement of Liga Bandaraya, Hope FC is meticulously preparing under the astute leadership of player-manager Bryan Cheong.
The club has been actively engaging in a series of friendly matches to refine tactical strategies, sustain peak fitness levels, and evaluate prospective recruits.
Cheong elaborated on the club’s pre-season preparations, remarking, “Preparations have been good! We’ve been arranging friendlies with teams of varying levels to keep ourselves sharp.
“Our main focus is maintaining fitness and assessing new players who could strengthen our squad.”
Drawing from valuable lessons of previous seasons, Hope FC remains steadfast in its commitment to a consistent approach.
“We’ll approach every season the same way – playing our game and minimising mistakes.
“Last season gave us valuable experience, and we’re looking to put that to good use this time around,” he explained.
The friendly matches have been a crucial element of the club’s strategy, serving to test tactical setups, improve match fitness, and integrate new members into the team.
“These matches are part of our strategy. We’re using them to experiment with different tactics and ensure our squad is in top condition when Liga Bandaraya begins,” he noted.
Beyond the sporting aspect, Hope FC holds personal significance for Cheong; the club’s name honours his daughter and reflects the profound sense of camaraderie that has developed among the players.
“Building this team and forming a close-knit community of people I can call my brothers has been incredibly rewarding. It has provided an opportunity and space for the boys to socialise and express themselves,” he shared.
When asked to encapsulate his experience in one word, Cheong was unequivocal: “Rewarding.”
With Liga Bandaraya fast approaching, Hope FC is shaping up to be a formidable contender. Fans can expect an organised, determined, and tightly bonded squad, ready to make their mark in the upcoming season.
