Gombak United chairman John Yap has hailed Ishak Zainol as a
strategic signing for the club as it plots for a strong showing
in the coming S.League season.
The 26-year-old, who moved from league champions SAFFC in December,
will be making his return to the club where he started his
professional career five years ago.
During that period, which also saw him play for Sengkang Marine and
Tanjong Pagar United, Ishak matured into a competent defensive
midfielder for both club and country.
And Yap is confident that taking Ishak back in will unlock a new
set of possibilities for Gombak, who will now have expanded options
in both central defence and midfield.
The Bulls, who finished eighth last season, often found themselves
limited on cover in the middle, crossing their fingers on the
uninterrupted availability of Nigerian anchor Obadin Gabriel
Aikhena and Thai playmaker Theerawesin Seehawong.
The backline too has been an area of concern, with only three
orthodox central defenders available, leaving the team vulnerable
to manpower shortages there as well.
The addition of Ishak could solve both problems at a stroke,
allowing Gombak coach Salim Moin to tweak his midfield as required
for more offensive bite or defensive steel.
The prospect clearly brings much delight to Yap, who sees Ishak as
pivotal to the clubs target of finishing in the top half of the
12-team table this year.
Gabriel and Theerawesin were a very good combination last year,
but we were caught short whenever one of them was injured or
suspended, he told sleague.com.
And with only Precious (Emuejeraye), Winston (Yap) and Jaslee
Hatta in central defence, we also looked short-handed there. Ishak
coming in will allow us to either move Gabriel into defence or
shift Theerawesin to the right to cover for Ruhaizad
(Ismail).
The decision to sign Ishak is actually very strategic. Looking at
our squad last season, I realized we didnt really need to make
that many new signings.
But what we were missing the whole season was a player who would
give us the flexibility to change things around. Getting Ishak will
put things in place for our team, and I think well play much
better football.
Ishaks move to Gombak comes after a disappointing 2006 season at
Choa Chu Kang, where he became an increasingly marginal member of
SAFFCs title-winning squad.
A virtual ever-present for the Warriors in 2005, Ishak managed only
17 starts for the team last season, and was mostly limited to
inconsequential cameo appearances after July.
Failing to hold down a first-team place at club level had an effect
on his international career as well, as the midfielder who was
capped 12 times faded out of national coach Radojko Avramovics
plans after his last call-up against Malaysia in May.
The decision to move thus represents an excellent opportunity for
Ishak to re-establish himself in the local football scene. In Yap,
he has a chairman sympathetic to his cause.
Ishak didnt get to play much towards the end of last year,
because Therdsak (Chaiman) and John Wilkinson worked so well
together in midfield for SAFFC, noted Yap.
Over at my side, I think his chances of playing would be a lot
higher. He wont be guaranteed a place in the first eleven, but I
think he will have an impact on the midfield.
Ishak is a talented guy who isnt just good defensively, but can
also shine as a playmaker. His arrival will give us tremendous
range in our options.
Whether he will be successful here depends on him, but I am
hopeful he can establish himself and get the chance to get back
into the national team.
Gombak are expected to make at least one more signing before the
closure of the transfer window in early February, with Yap
identifying the attack as an area that could use some
strengthening.
Forward Tan Kian Chong has been released after injuring his knee in
November, while the club has yet to agree terms with Alfred
Emuejeraye, who had a heavy hand in many of Gombaks 48 league
goals last season.
The former Grasshoppers Zurich striker, currently on trials in
England, has asked for a salary that Yap described as very
demanding.
Yap is nonetheless optimistic that there is still room for
negotiation, although he is already looking for backup options from
Nigeria should the 23-year-old not return.
The club is also understood to be in talks with Agu Casmir, who had
earlier declared his decision not to stay at Woodlands Wellington,
for whom he had scored 17 goals in 2006.
Should Casmir sign for the Bulls, his physical presence will
significantly boost a team that already features Ojimi Gabriel
Obatola, Ruhaizad Ismail and Norfahazly Kamsan.
We struggled through some games early last season, and things only
got better when Alfred arrived and improved our scoring, reflected
Yap.
One more signing in that area will round off the whole team very
nicely. I want to make sure that the teams firepower is absolutely
stronger than it was last year.
I feel Agu is more misunderstood than what is presented publicly.
Looking at the boy and whether he can fit in and be happy here, I
think there is still a fair chance, so its worth trying to sign
him up.
A combination of him, OJ and Alfred will spell catastrophe for our
opponents. I will definitely not be fearful about our team not
having goals, thats for sure.
Gombak are also looking at beefing up their Prime League squad by
exercising the option to sign up to two foreigners below the age of
23, as is allowed under the 2007 rules.
One prospective signing is Precious younger brother Emmanuel, who
has already donned Gombak colours in the Centre of Excellence
Under-18 league last year.
Emmanuels entry is expected to compensate for the loss of Goh Swee
Swee, who has moved to Home United after top-scoring for the Bulls
with six Prime League goals.
Weve signed a few boys from the Gombak academy, and Im looking
at signing Emmanuel, revealed Yap.
Hes played for me at Under-18 level and scored quite a number of
goals. He is very enthusiastic and urging me to promote him, but
Ive told him to wait while I get all the terms and rules in place
first.
Weve had quite a few players featuring in the Prime League who
are exceptionally good, like Armanizam (Dolah), Idros (Jamid) and
Syed Karim. Some of them have featured for us once or twice in the
S.League, and I hope theyll keep on growing.