Soccer/Malaysia Cup: Laurena, the woman behind Seator

New Straits Times » Sport
R.G. Raj



Sept 25: THEY say that behind every successful man is a woman, and this could not be truer for Perak's Liberian striker Frank Seator.

Laurena Waljroh, 23, also a Liberian, has been a huge inspiration and an avid supporter of her husband Seator, whenever he is on the field for training or playing a match.

And Laurena's heartache was clearly seen when her husband, due to a shin injury, was on the bench while the rest of the Perak squad were training hard for the Malaysia Cup semi-final return leg against Sabah on Saturday in Ipoh.

Seator said that with Laurena around, much of his problems and needs are taken care of including the food she prepares everyday thus giving him a free mind to concentrate on his game.

Laurena, a third year student in a college in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, is doing a management course and has no plans to give up her studies.

"I plan to go back (to Liberia) after the Malaysia Cup to continue with my studies, but will return to Malaysia if Seator gets a new contract with Perak for next season. I am told that the Super league will be a more challenging one."

"Watching soccer matches in Malaysia is a new experience for me. Seeing so many people turning out to support their home teams and some 30,000 turning out to see Perak in home matches is something I have never experienced in other parts of the world where my husband has been playing," said Laurena.

Perak, who are one match from the final, are in a strong position to regain the Malaysia Cup they last won in 2000. Much of Perak’s success in the competition is attributed to Seator, who has scored eight goals to date including one each in the home and away quarter-finals against Sarawak.

Seator, still nursing a shin injury sustained following a clash with Sarawak defender Emmanuel Sarpong on Sept 10 at the Perak Stadium, is working hard and team physiotherapist Zainuddin Zakaria is trying his best to get the striker back into shape.

"Just give me a few minutes of action and I will do the necessary damage against Sabah. I proved I can do it by scoring a last minute goal against Sarawak at the State Stadium in Kuching when I replaced V. Saravanan late in the game." said Seator.

"The pain was still there and yet I wanted to be part of the team when we played Sabah in the first leg last Saturday at the Likas Stadium. I realised that Bhaichung (Bhutia) needed my support and I am glad I stayed in the match for the entire 90 minutes even though I did not score.

"And I am raring to play in the return leg at home this weekend," Seator said.