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RUSDI SUPERMAN..

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Soccer: Wicks gets Moroccan spice


Tuesday, April 21, 1998

By S. Navalan

TUE: With Alexander Freeman out for at least two months after fracturing two of his ribs, Selangor will temporarily sign Moroccan striker Mohamad Fadali to fill up their foreign quota for the Premier One season.

But Mohamad Fadali must be ready to play a different role. Instead of scoring goals, he may have to create them.

Selangor coach Steve Wicks is impressed with the workrate of Azman Adnan and Rusdi Suparman and said he has no intention of breaking up this partnership.

Since Wicks persisted with the all-local strikeforce of Azman and Rusdi, Selangor have been unbeaten after a poor start, when they were defeated 3-1 by Sarawak in the opening match of the season.

In the last three matches, Selangor beat Pahang 1-0 while drawing with Brunei and Penang, both with 1-1 scorelines.

Wicks, happy with the performances of Azman and Rusdi, said Mohamad Fadali will probably go in as a direct replacement for Freeman, who had been playing as the back-up striker and in a playmaker's role.

"Mohamad Fadali had done well in training. Now we are giving him a chance to prove himself with us. I believe if he continues to do well, then the Selangor management may make a decision on him when Freeman is fit again. Until then, we just carry on with what we have," said Wicks.

The former Moroccan youth international joined the Selangor session last week and was impressive despite being given a hard time by the other players.

What's impressive about his game is his talent for finding space and opening up the game for the other players as was evident in training.

Mohamed Fadali, however, must wait for another week before he can don the Selangor colours.

He is only expected to sign today and must serve a seven-day residential period before he can be fielded.

That means Selangor will have to play Kuala Lumpur at Shah Alam Stadium on Saturday with only two foreigners, Jeff Hopkins and Mehmet Durakovic.

KL, who have drawn three out of their four matches, will be at full strength and Brazilian striker Adilson Roque, who has rejoined them, will be available for the Klang Valley derby. Roque had been dropped by KL before the start of the season.

"Matches against KL have always been tough. It's not going to be any different on Saturday. But we have a good chance to climb the table if we can beat KL," said Wicks.

"I think the players realise this and I know they will be going all out to win the match. They are just as hungry for our second victory this month."