Sarawak FA
Encyclopedia
The Football Association of Sarawak (Malay
: Persatuan Bola Sepak Sarawak) enters a team in Malaysian football
competitions to represent the state of Sarawak
. The team is based in Kuching
, Sarawak and currently (2010) plays in the Malaysia Premier League, the second highest league in Malaysian football.
Sarawak FA has never won the prestigious Malaysia Cup
, but won the Malaysian Premier League, the Malaysian FA Cup and the Malaysian Charity Shield
once each. In 1999, the team advanced to the second phase of the Asian Cup Winners Cup
.
, for example in Bau
, Buso, Bidi, Sungei Tengah and Dalian
. The teams were composed of European assistants and Asian staff. In 1924, the Kuching Wanderers were formed, a team mainly consisting of Europeans
.
On January 16, 1926, the Wanderers were formed into the Kuching Football Cluband from that date until 1933, the Europeans of Kuching were able to field two teams and played regularly twice a week, and additionally played for a the James Buchanan Cup, named after James Buchanan
, the fifteenth President of the United States
. In 1933, 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 Datuk Haji 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. With the establishment of the Piala Sarawak (or 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 the 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 times 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 had risen from an underachiever to a successful side. Following the addition of foreign players in early 1990s, Sarawak FA won the Malaysian FA Cup, the Malaysian Premier League and the Malaysian Charity Shield. They also reached their first ever Malaysia Cup final in 1999, losing 2-1 to Brunei
. After the Malaysian FA Cup final in 2001, Sarawak FA's performances somewhat stagnated and have declined so far that at the end of the season 2007-08, the team lost its position in the Super League Malaysia and was relegated to the Second Division of Malaysian national football, the Premier League Malaysia.
As for nicknames, until recently, the team was used to be known as Bujang Senang or The Crocs, named after a legendary, notorious and mythical killer crocodile which believed to reside at the Batang Lupar river in the Sri Aman Division
of Sarawak. Starting from the 2006-07 season, Sarawak decided to be known as the Kenyalang (The Hornbills). The Hornbill
is the official state bird of Sarawak. The team was also known as the Black Cats during the 1980s.
The Ngap Sayot slogan was inspired by the team's former coach, Awang Mahyan Awang Mohamad during the height of their play between 1988 to 1990. During this era, the team were purely Sarawakian without taking any foreign imports into the team. Although being a punchbag for several elite teams in the competition, Sarawak were very strong at their home turf, the legendary Stadium Negeri (State Stadium) and was always packed with fans and noise that could shake any teams against Sarawak. Yet again their fighting spirit in those heyday was very strong that even current players couldn't match.
There are several events and incidents occurred during the era, including:
A mysterious appearance of a black cat during a league match was regarded by older fans as sensational. Speculations arose that the team is using black magic as claimed by many; however, the black cat actually belonged to a fan that accidentally slipped his cat into the track. Hence the incident, the team assumed the black cat as their mascot for a few years.
When Sarawak FA qualified for the quarter-final round of the Malaysia Cup for the first time, the flamboyant Awang Mahyan led his team jumped off the bridge into Sarawak River to celebrate their triumph. The event was joined by fans and was widely covered by the media nationwide.
During the second leg of a semi-final match in Kuching, the overloaded crowd, overwhelming atmosphere and unjust decision at the stadium forced the match to be postponed at midnight, taking the match technically played in two days, thus creating history in Malaysian sports until this day. The match was later resumed in Singapore
, in which Sarawak lost. Due to the incident, the government refurbished and upgraded the stadium to its current state.
This is the biggest crisis so far, to the extend that the national integration nearly shattered. It all started when Steven Ovinis, the match referee misjudged and penalised a Sarawak player for time-wasting. It was so clear at that time that the player was injured and needs medication as well as the referees' biasness towards Sarawak in favour of the Kuala Lumpur team. Knowing that something amiss, the Sarawak captain, along with other players, blasted the decision and asked for referee replacement. Being denied of their rights, Sarawak walked out from the field, boycotting the match as the referee was claimed to be 'pushed' to the ground. At this, the commotion began. Several FRU
(Federal Reserve Unit) personnel rushed into the field, attacking Sarawak players in a move to 'protect the players'. Several players were hurt in that incident, and many still remember the horrifying moments. The incident has opted FAS to withdrew from FAM, and strained the relationship between the Federal Government and the Sarawak Government. The national integration was indeed shaken. National papers and media were the targets of attacks and confrontation. Even a federal minister from Kuala Lumpur was advised not to go to Sarawak due to this reason. The issue was later resolved when the deputy president of FAM was sent to bury the hatchet, and FAS rejoined FAM.
After the end of the Ngap Sayot era, FAS decided to revamp the team with the inclusion of foreign coach and players from Australia. Alan Vest
(now a senior team director at Australia's Perth Glory FC
), was chosen to become Sarawak's new boss, replacing the flamboyant Awang Mahyan.
With the investment that reached RM2 million at that time, Sarawak had shaped a formidable team. The most memorable glory was in 1992 when Sarawak won the FA Cup by defeating their main rival at that time, Kuala Lumpur. 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 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 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 were second to Selangor FA in terms of wealth and excellence in management as well as players' welfare. Sarawak became a favourite in most competitions and one the most consistent teams.
, Perak
, Perlis
and Kedah, but these are not as great as the rivalry with Selangor FA.
is the 40,000-seater Sarawak Stadium
at Petra Jaya, Kuching. The team previously played at the Jubilee Ground (Padang Jubli) at Padungan Road, Kuching, from their formation until the mid-80s before moving to the legendary Stadium Negeri (the State Stadium, next to the current ground). They played there until 1997 when they moved to the current Sarawak Stadium after the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship concluded.
protocol in 2005. Currently, the Malaysian League is sponsored by the national telecommunication company, Telekom Malaysia
(TM), in which all teams competing in the league must display TM or its subsidiaries logo (such as Celcom and TMNet) on their kit.
The Lea Group, a local company through their sporting wing, Lea Sports Centre has been the shirt sponsor for Sarawak since 1990s. ROSSI
was the official attire of Sarawak from 2003–2009, and the team wear ROSSI kits since 2002.
Sarawak team will introduce their latest "ADIDAS" attire for season 2010.
Apart from the Lea Group, Sarawak is sponsored by Inai Kiara Sdn. Bhd., a Malaysian dredging company in which its chairman is a Sarawakian and also was Sarawak team manager in 2005.
Other previous sponsors including Air Asia.
During the 2011 the Sarawak team is being sponsored by Naim Cendera Holdings, a prominent real estate developer in Sarawak. Shin Yang Group is yet another large corporation in Sarawak to sponsor the state team for 2011. Both of the mentioned sponsors emblem can be seen on the Sarawak 2011 kit. The current 2011 kit has migrated its brand to a lesser known Starsports brand. To many, the current kit resembles the glorious red & black stripe kit which has made Sarawak feared by many in the past. This season is the first time since 1987 that all M-League teams are to display their own sponsors rather than displaying the M-League's general sponsor like Dunhill and Celcom/TM in the past.
.
Pengiran Bala Awang Ali Bema Herman Bulang Thomas Dundang Mohd Husaini Hussin Ghazali Iring Abdul Aziz Ismail
Aznal Helmi Ismail Roslan Ismail Luis Jakai
Khairol Jamel Terrance Janting Affendi Jol Affendi Julaihi Mohd. Nazri Lamat Latif Lamin Ong Heng Leong Bobby Chua Kim Lun Effendi Malek Zapri Manai Dahlan Matussin Musabaqah B. Meliki Ibrahim Mentali Peter Stuyvesant Merican Awang Mahyan Awang Mohamad Irwanshah Mohamad Zulkifli Morshidi Stuart Otto Munan G. Muthu Bobby Pian Zulkarnain Poasa Shamsurin Abdul Rahman Engku Shahrulerizal
Suffian Abdul Rahman Roziman Bin Ramblie Abdul Jalil Ramli Mohd Safee Mohd Sali
Jeevareddy Samikanu Mohd. Ali Sapiee Ramles Sari Ramos Sari Sulaiman Stapok Mohd. Fa'iz Suariani Ong Kim Swee
Kassim Taha Alnur Irwan Tan Abdullah Tan Joseph Kalang Tie
Mazlan Abdul Wahed Sapian Abdul Wahed Kamarulzaman Yaacob James Yaakub Mohd Nazri Yunos Mohamed Nor Efendi Md Yusof Tony Yusoff Zarul Izwan Zainal
Alistair Edwards
David Evans Doug Ithier
Craig Naven
Paul (PJ) Roberts
Robert Eshun
Jose Luis Feitoza Roméo Kambou
Kim Grant
Emmanuel Sarpong Fernando Manuel Co Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto
Sasa Yusuki Marko Ganasson
Lamie T Kiawu
Brutil Hose
James Ngaulala-Arffrin John Hunter
Neathan Gibson
Junaid Hartley
-group after Europe
an and South America
n example. The official online supporters community via facebook called themself "Penyokong Bolasepak Sarawak" (Sarawak Soccer Supporters). Before 2011 Malaysia Cup started, Gallore Buceros was form by 3 entities fan groups, Sayotters Fan Network (Sayotters), Sarawak Soccer Supporters (S3) and Crocs Attack. Gallore Buceros also one of Ultras Malaya sub-groups. Gallore Buceros, mainly wearing their owns red shirts and brings drum to supported Sarawak football team with singing over 10 chants per game. Gallore Buceros also new baby of Ultras Malaya sub-groups.
Malay language
Malay is a major language of the Austronesian family. It is the official language of Malaysia , Indonesia , Brunei and Singapore...
: Persatuan Bola Sepak Sarawak) enters a team in Malaysian football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
competitions to represent the state of Sarawak
Sarawak
Sarawak is one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Known as Bumi Kenyalang , Sarawak is situated on the north-west of the island. It is the largest state in Malaysia followed by Sabah, the second largest state located to the North- East.The administrative capital is Kuching, which...
. The team is based in Kuching
Kuching
Kuching , officially the City of Kuching, and formerly the City of Sarawak, is the capital and most populous city of the East Malaysian state of Sarawak. It is the largest city on the island of Borneo, and the fourth largest city in Malaysia....
, Sarawak and currently (2010) plays in the Malaysia Premier League, the second highest league in Malaysian football.
Sarawak FA has never won the prestigious Malaysia Cup
Malaysia Cup
The Malaysia Cup is an annual association football tournament in Malaysia. It is currently the longest-running football competition in Asia...
, but won the Malaysian Premier League, the Malaysian FA Cup and the Malaysian Charity Shield
Malaysian Charity Shield
The Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Cup more popularly known as Piala Sumbangsih is an annual soccer match currently contested by the current Malaysia Cup winner and the current FA Cup Malaysia winner....
once each. In 1999, the team advanced to the second phase of the Asian Cup Winners Cup
Asian Cup Winners Cup
The Asian Cup Winners' Cup was an association football competition run by the Asian Football Confederation . The competition was started in 1991 as a tournament for all the domestic cup winners from countries affiliated to the AFC...
.
History
Football fields have existed in Sarawak before World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, for example in Bau
Bau, Sarawak
Bau is a gold mining town in the Kuching Division of Sarawak, Malaysia. Smuggling with Kalimantan is also important to the local economy.-History:...
, Buso, Bidi, Sungei Tengah and Dalian
Dalian
Dalian is a major city and seaport in the south of Liaoning province, Northeast China. It faces Shandong to the south, the Yellow Sea to the east and the Bohai Sea to the west and south. Holding sub-provincial administrative status, Dalian is the southernmost city of Northeast China and China's...
. The teams were composed of European assistants and Asian staff. In 1924, the Kuching Wanderers were formed, a team mainly consisting of Europeans
European ethnic groups
The ethnic groups in Europe are the various ethnic groups that reside in the nations of Europe. European ethnology is the field of anthropology focusing on Europe....
.
On January 16, 1926, the Wanderers were formed into the Kuching Football Cluband from that date until 1933, the Europeans of Kuching were able to field two teams and played regularly twice a week, and additionally played for a the James Buchanan Cup, named after James Buchanan
James Buchanan
James Buchanan, Jr. was the 15th President of the United States . He is the only president from Pennsylvania, the only president who remained a lifelong bachelor and the last to be born in the 18th century....
, the fifteenth President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
. In 1933, 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 Datuk Haji 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. With the establishment of the Piala Sarawak (or 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
Malaysia President Cup
The President Cup Malaysia is the football competitions in Malaysia for under-20 players. Since its inception, the President Cup Malaysia has been the major tournament for under-21 and under-23 players. In 2009, the format of the competition changes which only under-20 players are eligible for the...
(formerly known as the 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 times deemed to be stronger than Sarawak FA, for example the state teams of Selangor FA
Selangor FA
The Football Association of Selangor , commonly referred to as FAS or simply Selangor, competes in Malaysian football competitions representing the state of Selangor Darul Ehsan. The team is based in Shah Alam city. They are currently playing in Malaysian Super League, the top-flight of Malaysian...
, Kedah FA
Kedah FA
The Kedah FA are a Malaysian professional football association team based in Kedah, Malaysia also enters a team in Malaysian football competitions to represent the state of Kedah...
, Kuala Lumpur FA
Kuala Lumpur FA
The Kuala Lumpur Football Association is a Malaysian professional football association based in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. The association was founded as the Federal Territory Football Association in 1974 and entered Malaysian football competitions in 1979 before being renamed Kuala Lumpur in 1986...
and Pahang FA
Pahang FA
The Football Association of Pahang enters a team in Malaysian football competitions to represent the state of Pahang. The team is based in Kuantan, Pahang. They play in the top division in Malaysian football, the Malaysian Super League...
. 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
Football Association of Malaysia
The Football Association of Malaysia is the governing body for football in Malaysia, responsible for organising the Malaysian national football team and the major football and futsal tournaments within the country. The Football Association of Malaysia main headquarters is located at Wisma...
(FAM) for a short while.
During this time, under the management of Awang Mahyan Awang Mohamad and Alan Vest
Alan Vest
Alan Vest is a New Zealand football manager who also represented New Zealand as a player in the 1970s.-Biography:Vest had a notable playing career, scoring on his full international debut for the All Whites in a 4-1 win over New Caledonia on 17 September 1972 and ended his international playing...
, the team had risen from an underachiever to a successful side. Following the addition of foreign players in early 1990s, Sarawak FA won the Malaysian FA Cup, the Malaysian Premier League and the Malaysian Charity Shield. They also reached their first ever Malaysia Cup final in 1999, losing 2-1 to Brunei
Brunei M-League Team
The National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam used to enter a team in Malaysian football competitions. The team won the Malaysia Cup in 1999.-History:The Brunei team was formed in 1921 to participate in the Malaysia Cup....
. After the Malaysian FA Cup final in 2001, Sarawak FA's performances somewhat stagnated and have declined so far that at the end of the season 2007-08, the team lost its position in the Super League Malaysia and was relegated to the Second Division of Malaysian national football, the Premier League Malaysia.
Honours
- Malaysian Super LeagueMalaysian Super LeagueThe Malaysia Super League is a Malaysian professional league for association football. At the top flight of the Malaysian football league system and it is managed by the Malaysia Super League Sdn Bhd, under supervision of the Football Association of Malaysia...
: 1
-
- 1997
- Piala Malaysia (Malaysia CupMalaysia CupThe Malaysia Cup is an annual association football tournament in Malaysia. It is currently the longest-running football competition in Asia...
): Finalist
-
- 1999 (beaten by Brunei 1-2) (fixed by Brunei)
- Piala FA (Malaysian FA Cup): 1
-
- 1992 (beat Kuala Lumpur 2-1)
- Finalist 1996 (beaten by Kedah 0-1), 2001 (beaten by Selangor 0-1)
- 1992 (beat Kuala Lumpur 2-1)
- Piala Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah (Charity Shield): 1
-
- 1998 (beat Selangor 3-1)
- Borneo Cup: 5 (actual counts unknown)
Themes and nicknames
Sarawak FA had used several themes (also known as battlecries)such as Ngap Ajak, Encang Sarawak Encang, Ngap Sayot and Tebang Balau.For this new season it is believed that the management is waiting for the fans to come up with something really that really could boost up the team's spirit!As for nicknames, until recently, the team was used to be known as Bujang Senang or The Crocs, named after a legendary, notorious and mythical killer crocodile which believed to reside at the Batang Lupar river in the Sri Aman Division
Sri Aman Division
Sri Aman Division is one of the eleven administrative divisions in Sarawak, east Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. Formerly part of the First Division, which included Kuching, Sri Aman Division has a total area of 5,466.7 square kilometers. It was formerly known as Simanggang District.Sri Aman...
of Sarawak. Starting from the 2006-07 season, Sarawak decided to be known as the Kenyalang (The Hornbills). The Hornbill
Hornbill
Hornbills are a family of bird found in tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia and Melanesia. They are characterized by a long, down-curved bill which is frequently brightly-colored and sometimes has a casque on the upper mandible. Both the common English and the scientific name of the family...
is the official state bird of Sarawak. The team was also known as the Black Cats during the 1980s.
The Ngap Sayot era (1988-1990)
The Ngap Sayot era witnessed the height of Sarawak's team spirit, robust play, wonderful games, effective strategies, truly Sarawakian and controversial. It is still remembered by older fans and players, and is regarded as the best era ever in Sarawak's football history.The Ngap Sayot slogan was inspired by the team's former coach, Awang Mahyan Awang Mohamad during the height of their play between 1988 to 1990. During this era, the team were purely Sarawakian without taking any foreign imports into the team. Although being a punchbag for several elite teams in the competition, Sarawak were very strong at their home turf, the legendary Stadium Negeri (State Stadium) and was always packed with fans and noise that could shake any teams against Sarawak. Yet again their fighting spirit in those heyday was very strong that even current players couldn't match.
There are several events and incidents occurred during the era, including:
- The mysterious black cat incident
A mysterious appearance of a black cat during a league match was regarded by older fans as sensational. Speculations arose that the team is using black magic as claimed by many; however, the black cat actually belonged to a fan that accidentally slipped his cat into the track. Hence the incident, the team assumed the black cat as their mascot for a few years.
- The Satok Bridge jump
When Sarawak FA qualified for the quarter-final round of the Malaysia Cup for the first time, the flamboyant Awang Mahyan led his team jumped off the bridge into Sarawak River to celebrate their triumph. The event was joined by fans and was widely covered by the media nationwide.
- The Stadium Negeri Midnight fiasco
During the second leg of a semi-final match in Kuching, the overloaded crowd, overwhelming atmosphere and unjust decision at the stadium forced the match to be postponed at midnight, taking the match technically played in two days, thus creating history in Malaysian sports until this day. The match was later resumed in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, in which Sarawak lost. Due to the incident, the government refurbished and upgraded the stadium to its current state.
- The Merdeka Stadium incident
This is the biggest crisis so far, to the extend that the national integration nearly shattered. It all started when Steven Ovinis, the match referee misjudged and penalised a Sarawak player for time-wasting. It was so clear at that time that the player was injured and needs medication as well as the referees' biasness towards Sarawak in favour of the Kuala Lumpur team. Knowing that something amiss, the Sarawak captain, along with other players, blasted the decision and asked for referee replacement. Being denied of their rights, Sarawak walked out from the field, boycotting the match as the referee was claimed to be 'pushed' to the ground. At this, the commotion began. Several FRU
Federal Reserve Unit
The Federal Reserve Unit , or better known by the abbreviation as FRU was established as a riot control forces and a special response team as well as a paramilitary that can be deployed regardless of time to engage on any emergency or public unrest that happens in Malaysia.-Role:The main role of...
(Federal Reserve Unit) personnel rushed into the field, attacking Sarawak players in a move to 'protect the players'. Several players were hurt in that incident, and many still remember the horrifying moments. The incident has opted FAS to withdrew from FAM, and strained the relationship between the Federal Government and the Sarawak Government. The national integration was indeed shaken. National papers and media were the targets of attacks and confrontation. Even a federal minister from Kuala Lumpur was advised not to go to Sarawak due to this reason. The issue was later resolved when the deputy president of FAM was sent to bury the hatchet, and FAS rejoined FAM.
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, FAS decided to revamp the team with the inclusion of foreign coach and players from Australia. Alan Vest
Alan Vest
Alan Vest is a New Zealand football manager who also represented New Zealand as a player in the 1970s.-Biography:Vest had a notable playing career, scoring on his full international debut for the All Whites in a 4-1 win over New Caledonia on 17 September 1972 and ended his international playing...
(now a senior team director at Australia's Perth Glory FC
Perth Glory FC
Perth Glory Football Club is a professional football club in Perth, Western Australia, Australia, competing in Australia's top football competition the A-League. Perth Glory is one of only three clubs to survive from the now defunct National Soccer League...
), was chosen to become Sarawak's new boss, replacing the flamboyant Awang Mahyan.
With the investment that reached RM2 million at that time, Sarawak had shaped a formidable team. The most memorable glory was in 1992 when Sarawak won the FA Cup by defeating their main rival at that time, Kuala Lumpur. 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 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
John Hunter
John Hunter may refer to:* John Hunter , former bishop of Kimberley and Kuruman* John Hunter , Canadian Liberal MP for Parkdale, 1949–1957...
, 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
Alistair Edwards
Alistair Edwards is a former professional soccer player from Australia. A prominent forward, he made a name for himself with National Soccer League clubs Sydney Olympic and Perth Glory...
, Doug Ithier
Doug Ithier
Doug Ithier is an Australian football player most notable for playing for Perth Glory, Walsall, and throughout Asia including Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei and China...
as well as Neathan Gibson
Neathan Gibson
Neathan Gibson is a Zimbabwen soccer player currently Coaching for Des Moines Menace in the USL Premier Development League.-College:...
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
Sarawak Stadium
Sarawak Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Kuching, Malaysia. It is currently used mostly for football matches. The stadium has a capacity of 40,000 spectators. It was built in 1995 for the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship...
, 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
AFC Champions League
The AFC Champions League is the premier Asian club football competition hosted annually by Asian Football Confederation . The tournament is contested among the top thirty-two clubs from the top 10 Asian leagues, two of which must qualify through the playoffs...
second round match between Sarawak and Kashima Antlers
Kashima Antlers
are a Japanese professional association football club playing in the J. League Division 1. Antlers is derived from the city name, Kashima, which literally means "deer island"....
of Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, and other friendlies with clubs from Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
.
After the departure of Alan Vest
Alan Vest
Alan Vest is a New Zealand football manager who also represented New Zealand as a player in the 1970s.-Biography:Vest had a notable playing career, scoring on his full international debut for the All Whites in a 4-1 win over New Caledonia on 17 September 1972 and ended his international playing...
in 1999, Sarawak 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 were second to Selangor FA in terms of wealth and excellence in management as well as players' welfare. Sarawak became a favourite in most competitions and one the most consistent teams.
Rivalries
Sarawak FA shares a healthy rivalry with Selangor FA. This manifests mainly in a competition among the team's respective fans to gather the greater support, when the two teams play against each other. Sarawak fans also have certain rivalries with the teams from BruneiDPMM FC (Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota FC)
Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota Football Club is a soccer club based in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. The club played in the Brunei Premier League in the early-2000s, winning the league title in 2002 and 2004. The club then decided to play in Malaysia, and joined the Malaysian Premier League as a...
, Perak
Perak FA
The Football Association of Perak enters a team in Malaysian football competitions to represent the state of Perak. The team currently plays in the Malaysia Super League....
, Perlis
Perlis FA
The Perlis Football Association enters a team in Malaysian football competitions to represent the state of Perlis. The team is based in Kangar, Perlis. They play in the top division in Malaysian football, the Malaysian Super League. Their home stadium is Utama Negeri Stadium in Kangar, Perlis...
and Kedah, but these are not as great as the rivalry with Selangor FA.
Ground
The team's current stadiumStadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
is the 40,000-seater Sarawak Stadium
Sarawak Stadium
Sarawak Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Kuching, Malaysia. It is currently used mostly for football matches. The stadium has a capacity of 40,000 spectators. It was built in 1995 for the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship...
at Petra Jaya, Kuching. The team previously played at the Jubilee Ground (Padang Jubli) at Padungan Road, Kuching, from their formation until the mid-80s before moving to the legendary Stadium Negeri (the State Stadium, next to the current ground). They played there until 1997 when they moved to the current Sarawak Stadium after the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship concluded.
Sponsorship
Sarawak FA, as well as other teams in the Malaysian League were previously sponsored by Dunhill worth RM300,000 per year; however, ended after the cigarette company sponsorship was banned according to the World Health OrganizationWorld Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
protocol in 2005. Currently, the Malaysian League is sponsored by the national telecommunication company, Telekom Malaysia
Telekom Malaysia
Telekom Malaysia Berhad , DBA TM, is the largest integrated solutions provider in Malaysia, and one of Asia's leading communications companies, with a market capitalisation of RM13.9 billion and a workforce of 26,629 employees. Established as the Telecommunications Department of Malaya in 1946, it...
(TM), in which all teams competing in the league must display TM or its subsidiaries logo (such as Celcom and TMNet) on their kit.
The Lea Group, a local company through their sporting wing, Lea Sports Centre has been the shirt sponsor for Sarawak since 1990s. ROSSI
Rossi
Rossi is an Italian surname, said to be the most common surname in Italy. Due to Italian emigration, it is also very common in other countries, including the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and France. Rossi is the plural of Rosso although it is argued the surname derives from...
was the official attire of Sarawak from 2003–2009, and the team wear ROSSI kits since 2002.
Sarawak team will introduce their latest "ADIDAS" attire for season 2010.
Apart from the Lea Group, Sarawak is sponsored by Inai Kiara Sdn. Bhd., a Malaysian dredging company in which its chairman is a Sarawakian and also was Sarawak team manager in 2005.
Other previous sponsors including Air Asia.
During the 2011 the Sarawak team is being sponsored by Naim Cendera Holdings, a prominent real estate developer in Sarawak. Shin Yang Group is yet another large corporation in Sarawak to sponsor the state team for 2011. Both of the mentioned sponsors emblem can be seen on the Sarawak 2011 kit. The current 2011 kit has migrated its brand to a lesser known Starsports brand. To many, the current kit resembles the glorious red & black stripe kit which has made Sarawak feared by many in the past. This season is the first time since 1987 that all M-League teams are to display their own sponsors rather than displaying the M-League's general sponsor like Dunhill and Celcom/TM in the past.
Current Squad
*Registered with President's Cup teamPresident's Cup Team
For the president's cup squads, see Sarawak FA President's Cup TeamSarawak FA President's Cup Team
The Sarawak President's Cup Team is part of the President Cup Malaysia.Player 2011Head team coach Shamsurin Abdul Rahman...
.
Current coaching staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Manager |  Robert AlbertsRobert Alberts Robert Rene Alberts or Robert Alberts is a Dutch former football player and manager, currently in charge of Sarawak FA... |
| Assistant Manager |  |
| Head team coach | Robert Alberts Robert Alberts Robert Rene Alberts or Robert Alberts is a Dutch former football player and manager, currently in charge of Sarawak FA... |
| Assistant coach | Mohd Farhan Abdullah |
| Reserve team coach | Shamsurin Abdul Rahman |
| Goalkeeping coach | Mohd Azley Abdullah |
| Physiotherapist | Baharuddin Ahmad Sharif |
| Kit manager | |
Former players
Abdul Rani Abdullah George Benny Stanley Frazier @ Mohd Azley Abdullah Pitta Sham Ahmad Mohd. Hisyam Ali Mohd. Khairul Izzat Alias Aris Ariwatan Shahril Arsat Morshidi Awet Azralan Azmi Yubil Badong Burhaniza Abu Bakar Rafiz Abu BakarRafiz Abu Bakar
Rafiz Abu Bakar is a Malaysian footballer who previously plays for Sarawak FA in the Malaysia Premier League....
Pengiran Bala Awang Ali Bema Herman Bulang Thomas Dundang Mohd Husaini Hussin Ghazali Iring Abdul Aziz Ismail
Abdul Aziz Ismail
Abdul Aziz Ismail is a Malaysian professional football.He is the former member of Malaysia national team and Malaysia under-23 national team. He represent the country in the 2001 and 2003 Southeast Asian Games, 2004 AFC Asian Cup qualifer and 2006 World Cup qualifier.-External links:...
Aznal Helmi Ismail Roslan Ismail Luis Jakai
Khairol Jamel Terrance Janting Affendi Jol Affendi Julaihi Mohd. Nazri Lamat Latif Lamin Ong Heng Leong Bobby Chua Kim Lun Effendi Malek Zapri Manai Dahlan Matussin Musabaqah B. Meliki Ibrahim Mentali Peter Stuyvesant Merican Awang Mahyan Awang Mohamad Irwanshah Mohamad Zulkifli Morshidi Stuart Otto Munan G. Muthu Bobby Pian Zulkarnain Poasa Shamsurin Abdul Rahman Engku Shahrulerizal
Suffian Abdul Rahman Roziman Bin Ramblie Abdul Jalil Ramli Mohd Safee Mohd Sali
Mohd Safee Mohd Sali
Mohd Safee Mohd Sali commonly known as Safee Sali is a professional Malaysian footballer who is a Striker for Pelita Jaya FC of Indonesia...
Jeevareddy Samikanu Mohd. Ali Sapiee Ramles Sari Ramos Sari Sulaiman Stapok Mohd. Fa'iz Suariani Ong Kim Swee
Ong Kim Swee
Ong Kim Swee is a Malaysian football manager and former footballer. He spent most of his career playing for East Malaysian team notably Sarawak and Sabah during the mid 90's....
Kassim Taha Alnur Irwan Tan Abdullah Tan Joseph Kalang Tie
Joseph Kalang Tie
Joseph Kalang Tie is a Malaysian footballer who play as a midfielder for Terengganu in Malaysia Super League. Joseph Kalang Tie has previously played for Sarawak.-Career:Joseph is well known for his ability to score a long shot goals...
Mazlan Abdul Wahed Sapian Abdul Wahed Kamarulzaman Yaacob James Yaakub Mohd Nazri Yunos Mohamed Nor Efendi Md Yusof Tony Yusoff Zarul Izwan Zainal
Former Import Players
Billy Bone Jeff CurranJeff Curran
Jeffrey M. Curran is an American mixed martial artist. He fights at a number of different weight classes for a large number of organizations, including: Ultimate Fighting Championship , Strikeforce, PRIDE Fighting Championship, World Extreme Cagefighting , International Fight League , and King of...
Alistair Edwards
Alistair Edwards
Alistair Edwards is a former professional soccer player from Australia. A prominent forward, he made a name for himself with National Soccer League clubs Sydney Olympic and Perth Glory...
David Evans Doug Ithier
Doug Ithier
Doug Ithier is an Australian football player most notable for playing for Perth Glory, Walsall, and throughout Asia including Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei and China...
Craig Naven
Craig Naven
Craig Naven is a former Australian football player. He is the twin brother of Gareth NavenNaven played for NSL club Perth Glory FC and also played for Bayswater Inter, Perth SC and the Perth Kangaroos....
Paul (PJ) Roberts
Robert EshunRobert Eshun
Robert Eshun is a Ghanaian footballer playing for-External links:*...
Jose Luis Feitoza Roméo Kambou
Romeo Kambou
Romeo Kambou is a Burkinabé international footballer, who last played as Striker for Sarawak FA.-Clubs:*1996-1998 : Union Sportive des Forces Armées*1998-2002 : Bani Yas Club*2002 : Sarawak FA...
Kim Grant
Kim Grant (footballer)
Kimberley Tyrone "Kim" Grant is a Ghanaian former footballer and is the manager of F.C. Takoradi. Grant has been involved in professional football for over 18 years, playing in European and Asian leagues.-Club career:...
Emmanuel Sarpong Fernando Manuel Co Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto
Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto
Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto is an active Indonesian footballer. He normally plays as a striker and is the player with the most caps and goals for the Indonesian national team after Bambang Pamungkas with 31 goals in 60 appearances.Kurniawan is known by his nickname kurus because he cuts a slender figure...
Sasa Yusuki Marko Ganasson
Lamie T Kiawu
Brutil HoseBrutil Hose
Brutil Fridarius Hosé is a Dutch footballer who plays for VV Haaglandia as a forward....
James Ngaulala-Arffrin John Hunter
John Hunter
John Hunter may refer to:* John Hunter , former bishop of Kimberley and Kuruman* John Hunter , Canadian Liberal MP for Parkdale, 1949–1957...
Neathan Gibson
Neathan Gibson
Neathan Gibson is a Zimbabwen soccer player currently Coaching for Des Moines Menace in the USL Premier Development League.-College:...
Junaid Hartley
Junaid Hartley
- Career :A midfielder, Junaid Hartley was a former player for Sarawak FA in the Malaysian League, Junaid was known for his hard-working style and highly consistent performances.- International :...
Coaches
| Year | Manager |
|---|---|
| 1979-81 | Mohamad Poasa Sahar |
| 1982 | Wan Edrus Wan Alwi |
| 1983 |  Alan Bradshaw |
| 1984 | Chow Kwai Lam Chow Kwai Lam Chow Kwai Lam is a formal Malaysia national football coach. He represented Malaysia from 1965 to 1971 before becoming the coach in 1978. He coached Selangor FA from 1979 to 1983, before moving to coach Sarawak FA in 1984. He coached Kuala Lumpur FA in 1989, 1992, 1995, and 1996... |
| 1985-87 | Mohamad Che Su |
| 1988-89 | Awang Mahyan Awang Mohamad |
| 1990-91 | Abdul Wahet Uji |
| 1992-98 | Alan Vest Alan Vest Alan Vest is a New Zealand football manager who also represented New Zealand as a player in the 1970s.-Biography:Vest had a notable playing career, scoring on his full international debut for the All Whites in a 4-1 win over New Caledonia on 17 September 1972 and ended his international playing... |
| 1999-03 | Abdul Jalil Rambli |
| 2004 | Trevor James Morgan |
| 2005 | Abdul Wahet Uji |
| 2005-06 | Abdul Jalil Rambli |
| 2007 | Pengiran Bala |
| 2007-08 | Mohammad Mentali |
| 2008 |  Kunju Jamaluddin |
| 2008 | Ahmad Fairuz Yunus |
| 2008-09 | Robert Alberts Robert Alberts Robert Rene Alberts or Robert Alberts is a Dutch former football player and manager, currently in charge of Sarawak FA... |
| 2009–2011 | Haji Mohd Zaki Sheikh Ahmad |
| 2011–present | Robert Alberts Robert Alberts Robert Rene Alberts or Robert Alberts is a Dutch former football player and manager, currently in charge of Sarawak FA... |
Fansupport
Sarawak FA is supported by two separate fan organisations, the Sarawak Football Fan Club (SFFC) and the Ultracrocs. The latter consider themselves to be an UltraUltras
Ultras are a type of sports fans renowned for their fanatical support and elaborate displays. They are predominantly European followers of football teams...
-group after Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an and South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
n example. The official online supporters community via facebook called themself "Penyokong Bolasepak Sarawak" (Sarawak Soccer Supporters). Before 2011 Malaysia Cup started, Gallore Buceros was form by 3 entities fan groups, Sayotters Fan Network (Sayotters), Sarawak Soccer Supporters (S3) and Crocs Attack. Gallore Buceros also one of Ultras Malaya sub-groups. Gallore Buceros, mainly wearing their owns red shirts and brings drum to supported Sarawak football team with singing over 10 chants per game. Gallore Buceros also new baby of Ultras Malaya sub-groups.