KUCHING: Mohd Farhan Abdullah @ Anai Igang has been appointed as head coach for the Sarawak Football Association (FAS) recently.
The Belaga-born footballer of Kayan decent has spent the last 37 years either as an athlete on the field or a coach off it, plotting the fortunes of his team from the sidelines.
Sarawak Tribune met with the soft spoken coach at a local hotel, here, to get an insight into his personality and his plans for the Crocs this coming season.
Anai, as he is fondly referred to, said he has set up his team of coaches and training began with 26 out of the 40 scouted locals in the squad before the final trimming after their training matches in West Malaysia.
The players were scouted by a panel made of legendary figures in Sarawak football such as Awang Mahyan, Pengiran Bala and Safri Amit and all of them were very talented which made it very difficult for the selection committee to decide.
The team will be managed by FAS president Datuk Posa Majais and Anai will be at the hot seat as head coach for the first time.
Anai is no stranger to the Sarawak team, having assisted Robert Alberts from 2008-2010 and continued as assistant to coach Hj Zaki from 2010-2011 and coach Robert Alberts from 2011-2015.
He obtained his C licence in 1996 while still playing for the Maksak team and graduated to the B licence in the year 2000 and finally obtained his A licence in 2011 under the tutelage of Lim Kim Choon.
His track record as a coach is limited but impressive. Under his guidance the Bintulu team became champions of the Sarawak Cup five times and runners up five times.
He said the current crop of players are mostly inexperienced but have a lot of talent and potentials.
Led by four experienced players Bobby Gonzales, Benedict Martin, Abdul Rahim Abdul Razak and Daglish Papin Test, they will be leaving for West Malaysia on January 17 for three test matches where the final team line-up including four import quotas will be decided.
Anai was cautious with expectations saying that the squad should be seen as a team in development because although as individuals they are very talented, they are nevertheless a new team and need a lot of grooming.
He was happy that this new team represent the whole of Sarawak because the boys come from all over the state and he urged for patience from the fans so that the team can blossom. He is certain that with support of the fans and proper grooming the team can achieve something this season.
“The aim is for the team to qualify for the Super League. Our fans will not have it any other way and we will strive towards that but we also have to be realistic and understand that they are an entirely new team and it will take time to get there.”
He was grateful to FAS and its executive committee for putting the trust in him and giving him the opportunity to shine on the bigger stage. FAS policy in looking towards new talents, be it in him as head coach or the young talents, should be seen as a brave one for the future of the sport in the state.
Sarawak Tribune also spoke to Robert Alberts in a phone interview yesterday and the latter had only praises for Anai.
“I am delighted for coach Anai and I wish him all the best. I think he can help Sarawak achieve results and qualify for the Super League. I knew him as a disciplined and hard working coach with excellent management.”
