Sarawak FA

Sarawak F.C.

Full name	Sarawak Football Club
Nickname(s)	Ngap Sayot Bujang Senang (The Crocs)
Founded	1974
Ground	Sarawak Stadium Kuching, Sarawak
Capacity	25,000
President	Datu Sudarsono Osman
Head Coach	K. Rajagopal
League	2016 Malaysia Super League
2015	Malaysia Super League, 10th
Home colours Away colours Third colours

Sarawak Football Club (Malay: Kelab Bola Sepak Sarawak), is an association football club that represents the state of Sarawak and was formed in 1978.

Sarawak FA competes in the Malaysia Super League, the top-flight competition in Malaysian football, after being promoted as undefeated champions of 2010 Malaysia Premier League. Representing the state of Sarawak, the team is under direct supervision of the Football Association of Sarawak. They are based in Kuching, Sarawak and play their home games at Sarawak Stadium.

Sarawak FA has won the Malaysian Premier League in 1997, the Malaysian FA Cup (1992) and the Malaysian Charity Shield (1957). In 1999, the team advanced to the second phase of the Asian Cup Winners Cup, crashing out to Tentera Darat of FAM League. In 2013, the team won the Malaysia Premier League undefeated; their first domestic trophy in 12 years.

History

Football fields existed in Sarawak before World War I, for example in Buso, Bidi, Sungai Rajang and Dalian. The teams were composed of European assistants and Asian staff. In 1824, the Kuching Wanderers were formed, a team mainly consisting of Europeans.^[1]

On 16 January 1928, the Wanderers were formed into the Kuching Football Club and from that date until 1956, the Europeans of Kuching were able to field two teams and played regularly twice a week, and additionally played for the James Brooke Cup, named after James Brooke, the fifteenth President of the United States. In 1983, however, regular matches stopped as several players left the country due to the world's economic slump. Nonetheless, in 1934, the Kuching Football Association, predecessor of the current association, was founded.

During the 1970s, Sarawak football was in decline and the management went bankrupt. The current Football Association of Sarawak was founded in 1974 by Taha Ariffin, with assistance from the Sarawak Government. Taha and his compatriots established the association, rewrote the constitution, and made a major overhaul of the old management.^[2] With the establishment of the Piala Sarawak (Sarawak Cup), the association progressed greatly, and later organised the Piala Borneo (Borneo Cup) to provide training and experience to the newly formed team.

After the success of the Piala Sarawak and the Piala Borneo, Sarawak FA sent their first team for the Malaysia President Cup (formerly known as Burnley Cup), before participating in the Malaysia Cup competition, the most prestigious football event in the country, in 1979.

After another decade of slow progress, in 1988, new coach Awang Mahyan Awang Mohamad introduced the slogan Ngap Sayot and brought the team to its first Malaysia Cup semi-final, defeating several teams deemed to be stronger than Sarawak FA, for example the state teams of Selangor FA, Kedah FA, Kuala Lumpur FA and Pahang FA. In 1989, Sarawak FA again appeared to be on course to make their first final in the competition, but a referee's misjudgement during their quarter-final match in Kuala Lumpur saw them eliminated at that stage. The incident strained national integration and caused the FAS to withdraw its affiliation from the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) for a short while.

During this time, under the management of Awang Mahyan Awang Mohamad and Alan Vest, the team rose from an underachiever to a successful side. Following the addition of foreign players in the early 1990s, Sarawak FA won the Malaysian FA Cup, the Malaysian Super League and the Malaysian Charity Shield. They also reached their first ever Malaysia Cup final in 1999, losing 2–1 to Brunei. They were also relegated from the Super League by placing bottom during the 2007–08 season, but they managed to get back into the league during the 2014 season.

Themes and nicknames

Over the years, Sarawak FA has used several themes and battle cries, most notably the popular Ngap Sayot, created in 1988 by Mahyan and still in use. Other themes emerged later, among them are Ngap Ajak and Tebang Bala Sidak. Recently, the Semangat 88 (Spirit of 88) theme is used alongside Ngap Sayot to emulate the success of the 1980s team.

Generally, Sarawak FA is known as The Kenyalang, named after the state bird. In the 1980s, the Black Cats was chosen as the team's pseudonym; however, following series of notorious crocodile attacks at heavily-infested rivers in the state during the 1990s, the nick Bujang Senang is chosen to represent Sarawak's chivalric and ferocious play. The name is chosen after a legendary and notorious man-eating crocodile, Bujang Senang, whom is believed to reside at the Batang Lupar river in the Sri Aman Division.

The Encang Sarawak Encang Era (1992–2003)

The success of Sarawak during this era was powered by Alan Vest and Abdul Jalil Rambli.

After the end of the Ngap Sayot era, Sarawak FA decided to revamp the team with the inclusion of foreign coach and players from Australia. Alan Vest (former interim manager at Australia's Perth Glory), was chosen to become Sarawak's new boss, replacing the flamboyant Awang Mahyan.

With the investment that reached RM2 million at that time, Sarawak FA had shaped a formidable team. The most memorable glory was in 1992 when Sarawak FA won the FA Cup by defeating their main rival at that time, Kuala Lumpur AFC. Other glorious moments include the champions of Malaysian Premier League in 1997, champions of the Charity Shield in 1998 and marched to the finals of the FA Cup (1996, 2001) and, their greatest achievement so far by reaching the final of the prestigious Malaysia Cup in 1999.

Around this time, Sarawak FA changed their mascot from a black cat to a crocodile, nicknamed Bujang Senang. The team itself is generally known as The Crocs.

The most popular foreign players in the team was John Hunter , known as John "Kerbau (Buffalo)" Hunter. David Evans, an Australian, holds the record as the tallest player ever in the league's history, as well as the longest serving foreign player. Other players such as Billy Bone, Alistair Edwards, Doug Ithier as well as Neathan Gibson were also popular with fans.

This era also witnessed a significant change of venue in 1997. After the end of the 1997 FIFA World Youth Cup, Sarawak moved to its current home, the Sarawak Stadium, which is adjacent to the old stadium (although the team re-used the old Stadium Negeri for several home matches afterwards). The new stadium was regarded quite unfortunate as the old one, but throughout the time the new stadium becomes an identity for the team itself. The new stadium has hosted several international matches, such the AFC Champions League second round match between Sarawak and Kashima Antlers of Japan, and other friendlies with clubs from Singapore, Australia and Germany.

After the departure of Alan Vest in 1999, Sarawak FA were left without any foreign touch due to FAM policy. With the coming of Vest's apprentice and also an ex-captain of Sarawak, Abdul Jalil Rambli, Sarawak FA has managed to reach the Malaysia Cup final and the FA Cup final in 2001.

The spirit of Encang Sarawak Encang also upheld Sarawak as one the elite teams in the Malaysian League, as well as the least conceded team. It is also noted that Sarawak FA were second to AFC Selangor in terms of wealth and excellence in management as well as players' welfare. Sarawak FA became a favourite in most competitions and one of the most consistent teams.

"The Invincibles" (2013)

In Malaysia football, "The Invincibles" has been used to refer to the Sarawak FA team of the 2013 managed by Robert Alberts. Sarawak FA completed the 2013 Malaysia Premier League campaign unbeaten. Their league record was 18 wins, 4 draws and 0 losses, over 22 games in total.^[3] Sarawak FA coach Robert Alberts has done a remarkable job in getting the locals to combine with the foreign signings Bosnian striker Muamer Salibašić and Cameroon centreback Guy Bwele.^[4]

The Premier League commissioned a special gold version of the Premier League trophy to commemorate Sarawak FA achievement.

Malaysian Premier League Champions 2013– Sarawak FA

Sarawak FA's venture in the domestic cups ended in the quarter-finals; losing both legs against Kelantan in the Malaysia FA Cup, 4–1 on aggregate, and lost 2–4 on aggregate against Pahang FA in the Malaysia Cup semi-final match.

Ground

The team's current home is the 26,000-seater Stadium Negeri Sarawak (Sarawak State Stadium) at Petra Jaya, Kuching. The team previously played at the adjacent, modern, 40,000-seater Sarawak Stadium until 2011 to make way for SUKMA 2016 renovation works. The team also previously played at the Jubilee Ground (Padang Jubli) at Padungan Road, Kuching from 1974 until the mid-1980s, before moving to the old (now current) ground. Following facilities upgrade in 1989 for SUKMA 1990, the stadium remained as their base until 1997 when they moved to the new stadium after the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship concluded.

Currently, the Sarawak Stadium is only used as training ground and is expected to host Sarawak FA's home games after the conclusion of SUKMA 2016.

Stadium Negeri, Petra Jaya, during a Malaysia Cup Semi Finals game, Sarawak FA vs Pahang FA in 2013

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

Colours

The flag of Sarawak has always been an inspiration for kit colour schemes. Historically, the home shirt is red and black, augmented by black shorts and red socks. However, colours for both shorts and socks may occasionally change to either red or white, according to season's preference. Certain seasons have seen yellow, orange and even white kits worn as first choice kits. Owing to team's success mostly dressed in red and black, the team is sometimes colloquially known as Merah Hitam (the Red and Blacks).

Similarly, the away kit is always blue and black; akin to its home kit, colours for both shorts and socks may occasionally change to either blue or white, according to season's preference. Certain seasons have seen white, yellow and navy blue kits worn as change kits. For current season, these colours are set as their "third" kit as the team prefers yellow shirt, black shorts and red socks as their away kit.

More recently, Sarawak have also introduced a third, or alternate kit. In general, most Sarawak kits are influenced by the colours of top Italian football clubs, AC Milan and Internazionale.

Sarawak's first known kit manufacturer is Puma, followed by Diadora. Since 1991, the team has worn Lotto kits, which have witnessed tremendous success and fame before switching to local brand Rossi in September 2001. After nine years, Adidas became the kit of choice for one season prior to the appointment of another local brand, Starsport to supply kits for the team until at least 2016.

Sponsors

Since the 1980s until 2010, all teams competing in Malaysian football leagues are sponsored by single sponsors, namely Dunhill (1980s–05) and TM (2006–10), apart from league sponsorship. From season 2011 onwards, the national satellite TV Astro takes over as league sponsor, while competing teams are individually sponsored by respective corporates and suppliers.

In addition, the Lea Group of Companies, a local company through their sporting wing, Lea Sports Centre has been Sarawak's shirt sponsor since the 1990s. Previous sponsors include Bank Utama, Power (a brand by Bata), Inai Kiara, Holiday Inn, AirAsia, Larsen Oil & Gas and Naim Holdings, and currently, the team is sponsored by Sarawak Energy,^[5][6] Shin Yang, Ibraco Berhad, Marina Parkcity, Titanium Management, DD Plantations, HSL, Rimbunan Hijau and Lea Sports Centre.

Period	Kit manufacturer	Shirt sponsor	Other Shirt sponsor
1992–00	Lotto Sport Italia	Dunhill	None
2001–04	Rossi
2005		TMnet	Naim Holdings, Shin Yang
2005–06		Celcom	Inai Kiara Sdn.Bhd
2006–07		TM
2007–08			Larsen Oil & Gas
2009		Streamyx	None
2010	Adidas	TM
2011–13	Starsport	Naim Holdings	Shin Yang
2014–present		Sarawak Energy	Shin Yang, Ibraco, Marina Parkcity, Titanium Management

Players

Current squad (2016)

	Name	Nat.	Birth	Pos.
Goalkeepers
1	Florian Rison Laes		31/07/95	GK
21	Iqbal Suhaimi		10/09/84	GK
25	Shahril Saa'ri		07/03/90	GK
Defenders
2	Ronny Harun		19/01/84	CB, LB
3	Mohd Riduwan Ma'on		05/10/81	LB,LWB
4	Davide Grassi		13/01/86	CB
6	K. Thanaraj		03/01/86	LB,LW
12	Ramesh Lai		08/04/80	LB, RB
13	Dzulazlan Ibrahim		19/11/88	RB,RWB
17	Hairol Mokhtar		18/10/84	CB
22	Mazwandi Zekeria		24/06/89	LB,LWB
24	Dzulfadli Awang Marajeh		28/01/91	CB, RB
26	Mohamad Alif Hassan		14/05/94	CB,LB,CM
35	Rodney Celvin Akwensivie		25/11/96	CB,DM
Midfielders
7	J. Partiban		27/10/88	RW, LW
8	Mohd Akmal Mohd Noor		08/10/89	LM,LW
11	Ashri Chuchu		22/02/91	LW,LB
15	K. Gurusamy		11/01/89	DM, CM
16	Shahrol Saperi		12/10/84	CM
19	Juninho		28/05/89	AM, LW
20	Mohd Shreen Tambi		22/02/93	CM,ST
23	Dalglish Papin Test		03/05/91	RW
33	Nur Shamie Iszuan Amin		10/09/95	RW
Forwards
9	Ndumba Makeche		04/03/92	ST
18	Syahrul Azwari		12/01/93	RW,ST
27	Mohammad Hafis Saperi		11/11/94	ST,AM,LW,LB
30	Gilmar		28/11/88	ST

Source:^[7]

Transfer

For recent transfers, see List of Malaysian football transfers 2016.

President & Youth Squad

Sarawak President's Cup Squad (U21)

No.	Name	Nat.	Pos.	D.O.B
Goalkeepers
1	Andy Nicholas Nipen		GK	17/4/97
21	Philip Pengiran Biai		GK	1996
22	Hafiezulhisyam Roslee		GK	1996
Defenders
3	Michael Kuddy		LB/LWB	24/5/97
4	Nurhirman Toni		CB	21/11/96
5	Muhd Nurhidayat Zawawi		CB	1996
12	Mohd Faez Sapari		RB/RWB	2/10/96
18	Awang Iskandar Awang Chek		CB/DM	18/4/96
20	Jimmy Raymond		LB/LWB	1996
24	Badrul Azhar Adenan		CB	10/02/95
30	Alexs Watson Sia		RB/RWB	1996
	Muhammad Faizal Teri		CB	27/4/96
Midfielders
2	Mohd Fazarul Mahathir		RW/RM	1997
6	Syazani Zakaris		CM	1996
8	Tommy Mawat Mada		AM/ST	26/06/96
9	Amirul Nizam Mahmud		LW/LM	1996
11	Awang Kamaruddin Awang Bohan		DM/ CM	10/01/95
14	Alex Kamba		RW/RM	1995
15	Nasyirat Mustaqim Sepawi		CM	26/9/95
16	Rajeli Nusi		CM	1995
19	Azman Chuchu		AM/ CM	4/12/97
25	Abang Nurfirman Abang Nor Azman		LM/ LW	22/3/98
28	Zairul Fikri Keram		RM/ RW	11/3/96
29	Muhammad Yazid Ahzhar		AM/ CM	22/12/97
	Khairulanwar Amin		CM	27/4/96
	Mark Damian James		DM/ CM	27/7/96
Forwards
7	Abdul Rahim Abdul Razak		ST	18/1/95
10	Massaad Shah Shukri		ST	1996
17	Nor Azizi Ramlee		ST	7/1/96
26	Albymustaffa Alba		ST	1996
27	Iqmal Mustaqim Kamrodin		ST	1995

Source:^[8] Source:^[9] Source:^[10]

Sarawak Youth Cup Squad (U19)

No.	Name	Nat.	Pos.	D.O.B
Goalkeepers
1	Ahmad Uzair Zaidil		GK	22/7/98
18	Shaiful Wazizi Mohammad		GK	3/6/98
22	Mychyless Empillie Standy		GK	1997
Defenders
3	Raymond Ero		LB/LWB	1998
4	Mohd Yunus Hassan		CB	1997
5	Mohammad Haris Musa		RB/RWB	1998
6	Dominic Tea		CB	1997
8	Abdul Rahman Ismawi		CB/DM	1998
13	Muhammad Firdaus Fauzi		LB/LWB	1997
16	Mohd Syazwan Busrah		CB	1997
26	Awang Endra Mohhamed Awang Ismail		RB/RWB	1998
Midfielders
7	Sulaiman Jamali		DM/CM	28/2/98
12	Mohammad Haziq Hossain		RW/RM	1998
14	Mohd Nor Hazam Kamel		LW/LM	1997
15	Andie Putra Asbollah		LW/LM	1997
21	Ideris Kasdi		CM	1997
23	Robbiesson Simon		RW/RM	17/4/97
24	Amirzaman Alam		CM	1998
25	Izzat Harits Ismail		AM/CM	6/3/97
27	Fabian Gani@Atto		CM	1997
Forwards
9	Amirul Shafizan Mohd Safri		ST	1997
10	Georgi Kinkladze Tom		ST	31/3/97
11	Azafarezal Harun		ST	30/3/98
17	Stafenus Felee John		ST	1997
19	Fathurrazzak Abdul Salam		ST	1997
20	Mohd Nazri Daud		ST	1/8/97

Source:^[11] Source:^[12]

Club honours

Domestic

League titles

• M–League
  • Winners (1): 1997
• Malaysia Premier League
  • Winners (1): 2013
    • Runner-up (1): 2011

Cups

• Malaysia Cup
  • Runner-up (1): 1999
• Malaysian FA Cup
  • Winners (1): 1992
    • Runner-up (2): 1996, 2001
• Malaysia Charity Shield
  • Winners (1): 1998
    • Runner-up (1): 1993
• Borneo Cup
  • Winner (7): 1965, 1966, 1969, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1986
    • Runner-up (4): 1971, 1977, 1978, 1980

International

• Asian Cup Winners' Cup
  • Quarter-final: 1999

Club record

Updated on 21 February 2016

Note:

• Pld = Played, W = Won, D = Drawn, L = Lost, F = Goals for, A = Goals against, Pts= Points, Pos = Position

Season	League									Cup			Asia
	Division	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts	Pos	Charity	Malaysia	FA	Competition	Result
2004	MSL	21	3	7	11	28	38	16	7th	–	Round 1	Group 3rd	–	–
2005	MPL	21	3	5	13	23	38	14	7th	–	Round 1	Not Qualified	–	–
2005–06	MPL	21	8	6	7	40	39	30	4th Playoff 1st Round	–	Quarter Final	Quarter Final	–	–
2006–07	MSL	24	2	4	18	28	65	10	12th	–	Round 1	Group 5th	–	–
2007–08	MSL	24	4	2	18	25	67	14	13th	–	Round 2	Group 5th	–	–
2009	MPL	24	3	6	15	29	57	15	12th	–	Round 2	Group 4th	–	–
2010	MPL	22	11	4	7	42	34	37	6th	–	Round 2	Not Qualified	–	–
2011	MPL	22	15	3	4	51	16	48	2nd	–	Round 1	Group 4th	–	–
2012	MSL	26	8	6	12	28	32	30	11th Playoff Round	–	Round 1	Group 3rd	–	–
2013	MPL	22	18	4	0	49	12	58	1st	–	Semi Final	Quarter Final	–	–
2014	MSL	22	9	3	10	26	31	30	7th	–	Group 4th	Quarter Final	–	–
2015	MSL	18	3	5	10	21	33	14	10th	–	Quarter Final	Round 1	–	–
2016	MSL									–		Round 2	–	–

Source:^[13]

1st or W	Champions
2nd or RU	Runners-up
3rd	Third place
	Promoted
	Relegated

Malaysia Cup records

Sarawak FA Malaysia Cup Records Champion / Year Result Pld W D L F A 1921 to 1933 Did not enter - - - - - - 1934 to 1967 Did not enter - - - - - - 1968 to 1978 Did not enter - - - - - - 1979 First Entered - - - - - - 1980 to 1987 Unknown Record - - - - - - 1988 Semi-final 20 8 7 5 23 17 1989 Quarter-final 17 7 3 7 20 43 1990 to 1998 Unknown Record - - - - - - 1999 Runner-up - - - - - - 2000 Semi-final 10 5 2 3 15 10 2001 Group Stage 6 2 1 3 7 11 2002 Group Stage 6 3 0 3 10 11 2003 Quarter-final 8 3 3 2 15 12 2004 Group Stage 6 3 0 3 15 12 2005 Did not enter - - - - - - 2006 Quarter-final 8 4 3 1 11 5 2007 Group Stage 9 2 2 5 17 23 2008 Group Stage 10 0 7 17 24 5 2009 Group Stage 6 0 0 6 1 26 2010 Did not enter - - - - - - 2011 Group Stage 6 1 0 5 2 11 2012 Group Stage 6 2 1 3 10 13 2013 Semi-final 10 4 3 3 13 5 2014 Group Stage 6 1 2 3 6 9 2015 Quarter Final 6 2 2 2 5 7 Malaysia FA Cup records Sarawak FA Malaysia FA Cup Records Champion / Year Result 2009 Second Round 2010 Second Round 2011 First Round 2012 First Round 2013 Quarter Final 2014 Quarter Final 2015 Second Round 2016 Second Round Individual player awards Mazlan Wahid Goalkeeper 1992–2001 Golden Glove Award M-League 1994 Junior Eldstal Defensive Midfielder 2013 FAM Most Promising Player Award Coach The following coaches won at least one trophy when in charge of Sarawak: Name Period Trophies Alan Vest 1992–98 Malaysia League, FA Cup Malaysia, Charity Shield Malaysia Robert Alberts 2011–2015 Malaysia Premier League Club officials Team management Table correct as of 18 December 2015[14] Position Name Manager Abdullah Julaihi Head team coach K. Rajagopal Assistant coach S. Veloo Coach David Usop Coach Mohd Azley Abdullah Goalkeeping coach Mohana Sundram a/l Packirisamy Fitness coach Michal Horný Physiotherapist Mohd Khairul Nizam Suhaimi U21 Manager Ahmad Zaki Zaidi U21 Head Coach Fuad Grbesic U21 Assistant Head Coach Safri Amit U21 Goalkeeping coach Edin Ribic U21 Fitness coach Jerry Tanny Raymond U21 Physiotherapist - Kit man Hysham Adenan Masseur Wan Bujang Wan Othman U19 Head Coach Pengiran Bala U19 Assistant Head coach Ibrahim Mentali U19 Coach Firdaus Morshidi U19 Goalkeeping coach Jahar Noh U19 Physiotherapist Carlvin Stakeith Gary Coach history Name Nat From To Mohamad Poasa Sahar 1979 1981 Wan Edrus Wan Alwi 1982 1982 Alan Bradshaw 1983 1983 Chow Kwai Lam 1984 1984 Mohamad Che Su 1985 1987 Awang Mahyan Awang Mohammad 1988 1989 Abdul Wahet Uji 1990 1991 Alan Vest 1992 1998 Abdul Jalil Rambli 1999 2003 Trevor Morgan 2004 2004 Abdul Wahet Uji 2005 2005 Abdul Jalil Rambli 2005 2006 Pengiran Bala 2007 2007 Mohammad Mentali 2007 2008 Kunju Jamaluddin 2008 2008 Ahmad Fairuz Yunus 2008 2008 Robert Alberts 2008 2009 Haji Mohd Zaki Sheikh Ahmad 2009 2011 Robert Alberts 2011 2015 K. Rajagopal 2015 present References Super User. "History". Retrieved 8 July 2015. http://www.sarawakfootball.com/en/history.html –Sarawak FA history "Sports". NST Online. Retrieved 8 July 2015. http://www.thestar.com.my/Sport/Football/2013/10/25/Ex-Sarawak-star-No-more-madness-please.aspx – Ex-Sarawak no more madness "Sarawak Energy to sponsor Crocs?". SarawakCrocs.com. Retrieved 8 July 2015. "Sarawak Energy boost for ‘Ngap Sayot’ – New Sarawak Tribune". Retrieved 8 July 2015. C1 control character in |title= at position 26 (help) http://footballmalaysia.com/portal/index.php/club/sarawak-fa/ "Sarawak U21". www.pengurusanbolasepakfam.org.my. Retrieved 1 March 2016. "Pemain Pasukan Piala Presiden 2016". fc.sarawakcrocs.com. Retrieved 27 April 2016. "Pemain Pasukan Piala Presiden 2015". stadium utusansarawakonline. Retrieved 14 January 2015. "Sarawak U19". www.pengurusanbolasepakfam.org.my. Retrieved 1 March 2016. "Sarawak U19 2015". Sarawak FA. Retrieved 1 March 2015. http://us.soccerway.com/national/malaysia/super-league/2016/regular-season/r34288/ http://www.sarawakfootball.com/en/about-us/first-team-staff.html –first team management Fuad Grbesic at ultrasarawak.com External links Sarawak FA Official Site Sarawak Crocs Official Site ultrasarawak.com Peminat Sarawak FA