JAKARTA - The coach of the Malaysian Super League team Sabah FC, Ong Kim Swee highlighted Persija midfielder from Mali, Makan Konate, ahead of the second meeting of the teams in a friendly match at Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium, Bekasi, tomorrow starting at 16.00 WIB.
Konate, who had played for Malaysian club Trengganu FC and temporarily was the only foreign player at Persija, said Ong had abilities that could potentially endanger his team.
"I know that Persija currently only has one foreign player who has played in Trengganu. He is a good and important player for Persija," Ong said in a virtual press conference before the match, quoted from Antara.
Makan Konate has played in Trengganu FC II in 2016 and Trengganu FC in the Malaysian Super League in 2021.
During his Trengganu FC costume, Konate scored one goal and six assists. In the middle of the 2021-2022 Indonesian League 1 season, Persija brought Konate with a contract duration of 1.5 seasons.
At Persija, in just 14 games, the 30-year-old attacking midfielder has scored seven goals and provided two assists.
Even so, Ong Kim Swee emphasized that it was not only Makan Konate who had good abilities at Persija. The local players in the Kemayoran Tiger squad are believed to also have a similar performance.
"I know the local players at Persija also have good quality. So we will not be wary of only certain players, but all those who are sent by Persija tomorrow," said the 51-year-old tactician.
Ong also asked his foster children not to underestimate Persija, which is still in the early stages of preparation for the 2022-2023 Indonesian 1st League. The “Tiger Kemayoran” squad is also not complete as new foreign players have not joined yet.
Sabah FC itself has already undergone the 2022 Malaysian Super League season and is now in second place in the standings.
"If we think the game will be easy, then we can feel the consequences," said Ong.
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