KUALA NERUS – Terengganu FC coach Tomislav Steinbruckner is facing an injury crisis even before the Malaysian Football League season has kicked off.
With just three days to go before TFC play their season opener, Steinbruckner is reeling under pressure to replace three key players, and of the three, two will be out of action for at least three games.
Steinbruckner said his three main injured players were imports Ivan Mamut and Matthew Steenvoorden, as well as Akhyar Rashid – who has yet to recover from the injury and trauma he had suffered during a robbery and assault last week.
The only consolation for the coach is the return of star defender Azam Azmi after a long lay-off due to an injury suffered while playing for the national team in March.
“Overall I’m satisfied with how we work. A few players are out because of injuries but the rest are all set for the first match. Steenvoorden will not be around for one month, Ivan is also out for a long time. I think both will be out for three rounds (games).
“For Akhyar, I think he will be back after the first match against Perak FC on Saturday. He is still not fit and has some problem with his head and a little bit of a trauma due to the unfortunate incident,” he said when met after a training session at the Gong Badak Sports Complex, yesterday.
TFC will be hosting Perak FC in their opening Super League match at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium on Saturday.
“I watched some of their (Perak FC) friendly matches. They played much better than last season. So I’m expecting a tough game on Saturday,” he said. – May 8, 2024