Money on Ong’s mind, even during the holiday season

PETALING JAYA: Sabah coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee is on holiday but is already looking at the finances.

No, he has not overspent on his holiday – he just wants to know how much he can spend on beefing up his team for the new season. But he may not have happy news.

For a second straight year, the Rhinos finished third in the Super League, with 54 points from 26 matches, after beating Kedah 2-0 at the Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu on Sunday.

The goals were scored by midfielder Irfan Fazail (seventh minute) and Brazilian striker Ramon Machado (43rd).

Next season could be a harder job as it is learnt that the club could reduce their budget.

“I have not thought about player signings yet because I have to discuss with the management on finances and what approach we can take,” said Kim Swee, who will continue coaching Sabah for another season.

“Once we return from holiday, we hope to know what we have and then plan. In terms of salary arrears, the new management are already solving it.

“We bounced back towards the tail end of the season to finish third again.

“I want us to maintain this performance because we will be playing in the AFC Asean Zone semi-final next year before the league starts in April.”

There will be some departures with veteran forward Amri Yahyah, now 42, leaving the club, with retirement likely on the cards.

Wingback Rizal Ghazali has revealed that his contract with the club is ending this month and he will return to a Peninsular Malaysia club.

“Some players will be leaving but I want them to celebrate first with the other lads. Incoming and outgoing are part and parcel of football.

“I know Rizal, Amri and Irfan (Zakaria) will be moving on as their deals have ended. We are maintaining 19 players and will top up with some local Sabahans.”

Some of the key players that will stay on are Ramon, Portuguese midfielder Telmo Castanheira, Brazilian centreback Gabriel Peres, Indonesian winger Saddil Ramdani, centreback Dominic Tan, midfielder Stuart Wilkin and striker Darren Lok.