Lucas aims to see success as a coach (The Malay Mail)

WHAT Lucas Kallang failed to achieve as a player, he hopes to do as a
coach.
 The 37-year-old, who has been Sarawak manager cum coach Alan Vest's
assistant the last four seasons, is onto something great as Sarawak aim to
reach their first ever Malaysia Cup final.
 The Crocs have already qualified for the semifinals with a Group B match
to spare, against Brunei on Saturday in Bandar Seri Begawan.
 With everything pointing to a semifinal clash against neighbours Sabah,
history is in the making, that this year's Malaysia Cup final will feature
an East Malaysian side for the first time.
 Naturally, Lucas, who hails from Long Julan, Ulu Baram, wants to be a
part of that.
 Lucas, nicknamed the "Ironman", was a defender or midfielder with
Sarawak from 1979 to 1986 but the State achieved little result.
 But Sarawak have become the most consistent team in Malaysian soccer in
the last six years under Vest and Lucas is glad to be part of the team.
 "I am very grateful to be associated with the team and it is an
experience I will cherish," said Lucas who is among the first batch of
local coaches to attain the A licence conducted by Richard Bate in 1992.
 In fact, his coaching licence number is 001!
 A teacher by profession, Lucas was more interested in basketball during
his college days. He was still a trainee teacher when he played soccer
seriously.
 Named Sarawak's Footballer of the Year in 1983, Lucas got involved in
coaching at school level and later got the preliminary coaching badge from
the Soccer Centre of Excellence in Lilleshall, England. He was also on
attachment with Sheffield Wednesday.
 In 1990, he attained his B licence under Bates before taking his A
licence in 1992.
 "I am lucky to be working with Vest. He is a true professional in all
sense of the word and I have learnt a great deal from him," said Lucas.
 "Having been his assistant for four years is a great experience for me.
It is certainly a world better than being on attachment with clubs for
short periods," said Lucas.
 Other local coaches who like Lucas stand to benefit from working with
foreign coaches are Selangor's assistant coach Mohamad Shah Norbit (with
Ken Worden) and Sabah's Justin Ganai (with Ronald Smith).
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