Football

Perak's Australian coach home alone in Ipoh

PERAK head coach Mehmet Durakovic has been living without the two most important things in his life: his family and football.

It is home alone in Ipoh for the Australian.

His family were supposed to join him in February but due to the Covid-19 crisis, they had to abort their plan and remain in Melbourne.

Durakovic, 55, said his wife and children are safe as Australia is keeping its people indoors.

"This is the longest time I've been without football and my family," he said.

"It has not been easy for me because I'm used to being with my family.

"Also, I have been without football for the longest in my life.

"As a coach, I have to think outside the box on ways to keep the players fit."

During the Movement Control Order (MCO), Durakovic has been watching old games, and he urges the Perak players to do the same.

"These are unusual times and we have to make do with what we have.

"Just do whatever we can to keep our minds on football by watching games on videos and television. I want their minds ticking with football and working on getting back to football.

"We do video calls and speak to the players, trying to keep them as fit as we can without seeing them in person."

Perak drew 2-2 with Sabah in Likas just before the M-League was suspended on March 16. Durakovic's team are currently second in the Super League standings.

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