Three-point deduction a blessing in disguise - Melaka skipper

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 -- Melaka United skipper Mohd Razman Roslan feels that the three-point deduction imposed on the team -- for failing to settle the remaining salary arrears to their players and officials as scheduled -- has been a blessing in disguise.

Since the Malaysia League (M-League) resumed last month after being suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kancil have notched two straight 1-0 wins -- over Perak in Ipoh on Aug 28 and Terengganu FC at home on Saturday (Sept 5).

Those two wins have pushed Melaka to fifth in the 12-team Super League standings with nine points from six matches (four wins and two losses).

“Perhaps some will say that had we not had the three points deducted, we would now be in second spot. But I prefer to look at it differently because I can see that it (the deduction) has had a positive impact on the players.

“What I see is that they are more focused and not complacent anymore. The points deduction made us more determined to get out of the relegation spots. 

“That’s one of the reasons behind our ability to perform better in our last two outings and I am happy because we are now in a mid-table position,” the former national defender said in a statement issued by the Malaysian Football League (MFL) today.

He was, however, quick to remind his teammates not to take things for granted and to continue to up the ante in the remaining five matches, starting with an away trip to take on seventh-placed Selangor at the UiTM Stadium in Shah Alam on Friday (Sept 11).

-- BERNAMA