KUCHING: Sarawak lost 2-1 to Negeri Sembilan in their third Malaysia Cup match at home, casting a shadow over the team under a replacement coach after Kunju Jamaludeen was asked to take ‘a rest’.

The change in coach was a ‘long time’ coming as local football officials were unhappy with Sarawak’s Super League performance under the Singaporean.

However, the officials appear impervious to factors such as players’ indiscipline and the alleged match-fixing scandal that was exposed towards the tailend of the Super League season.

Surely, these are things that have a direct and negative impact on Sarawak’s poor showing.

And to be fair, Kunju had done some fine work, chalking up a few wins, including the one against Perlis at home when he initially took over the Sarawak side.

Kunju, who still retains the post of state director of coaching and has one year of his contract to run, was at Sarawak Stadium to watch the Sarawak-Negeri Sembilan match on Monday.

“Of course, I’m still around,” he replied when contacted yesterday while conducting development sessions with local coaches at Sarawak Stadium.

The decision to replace Kunju was reached at a closed door TAC (technical actions committee) meeting, chaired by Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) deputy president Datuk Richard Riot, last Sunday.

FAS management committee member Zuraimi Sabki said it was a difficult decision but nonetheless, collectively made.

He said he was more shocked by Sarawak’s defeat to Negeri Sembilan, especially the manner the home side conceded two soft goals after going ahead through Safri Amit in just 33 seconds.

Sarawak failed to increase their slim lead and conceded the first goal at the stroke of half-time during a free kick.

Negeri Sembilan took advantage of Sarawak’s tiring defence to score their winning goal deep in extra time, causing dismay on the terraces.

Team manager Daud Dato Aba said it was three points lost when it should have been three points gained.