Takumi Sasaki doubtful for the Malaysia Super League restart, targeting a late-October return

Takumi Sasaki is not ready for full training, and the Japanese player has moved his own target for a return back to the end of October.

MFL published his account of the recovery on 24 September. The plan had been for him to be available as soon as the Malaysia Super League resumes in the middle of the month, and that has had to be set aside for now.

The recovery so far

He has been able to start exercising again and to carry on with his rehabilitation, and he describes the recovery as running smoothly and improving. On the team doctors’ advice, though, he does not see himself playing against Sabah FC, and with a muscle injury he would rather be fully healed than risk it returning. If nothing gets in the way, he hopes to be back on the pitch by the end of October.

He also says he trusts his coach, Daniel Gimenez, to keep giving the other players their chance in the meantime.

Where it leaves Negeri Sembilan FC

Negeri Sembilan FC are eighth in the Malaysia Super League after four matches, on four points from one win, one draw and two defeats. Sabah FC, their visitors when the league restarts, are fourth on six points from the same number of games.

This is Sasaki’s third season with the club. He says the early results are not what the squad had hoped for, but that the players believe there is more in them this season and that the group has stayed together behind the coach’s way of playing.

The restart

Negeri Sembilan FC host Sabah FC at Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium, Seremban on 17 October, in Matchday 5, with kick-off at 17:00. Their following match is away to DPMM FC on 30 October.

Elsewhere in the league, Terengganu FC use the international break to take stock after a slow start.

Related

• Negeri Sembilan FC set their restart against Sabah FC for 17 October