Karathu Expects All Players To Pull Their Weight

14 Mac, 2015

PETALING JAYA: Press and harass the opponents.

That’s what no-nonsense Perak coach Datuk M. Karathu wants his men to do when they lose the ball.

This is the kind of commitment and determination he is demanding from his players as he seeks to keep up their impressive start to the Super league season.

“Football is about defending and attacking. It’s about work rate and if the players don’t pull their weight ... the team will suffer,” said Karathu ahead of their home match against Police at the Perak Stadium in Ipoh today.

The 71-year-old, who led the silver state to their inaugural FA Cup title in 1990, hopes that his low-profile team will continue to make waves with their discipline and commitment on the field.

“I don’t like to see players walking on the pitch when they lose the ball. They have to be mentally strong to win it back. As long as players listen to instructions and maintain a high work rate ... we should achieve something,” said Karathu, who is back coaching Perak for a fourth time.

“As a coach, I have seen many ups and downs ... how top teams go on a downward spiral the moment they become complacent.

“There are no stars in the Perak team. It won’t be easy to maintain this form but consistency is necessary if we are to win honours.”

Karathu began his coaching career with the Perak Burnley Cup squad in 1971 and has handled many teams, including the national youth teams (1991-92) and the Sri Lanka national squad (1999-2000).

His fourth coaching stint with Perak seems to be working well, thus far. After four matches, his team share top spot with Felda United. Both teams have eight points but Felda top the standings on goal difference.

It’s been an encouraging start for a team who finished ninth in the Super League last season and have not won a silverware for more than a decade since lifting the FA Cup for the second time in 2004.

Karathu is aware that the season will only get tougher for his young squad, with a large number of President’s Cup (Under-21) players in the fray.

Among them are Ridzuan Azly Hussham, Khairul Asyraf Sahizah, Raffi Nagoorgani, Norhakim Isa, Hafiz Ramdan and Ahmad Sukri Hamid.

His task will be made more difficult as his two key regulars – Brazilian striker Chad Souza and skipper Nasir Basharuddin – are still nursing ankle injuries.

Original source - Eric Samuel, Star Online www.thestar.com.my