KUALA LUMPUR: Felda United striker Thiago Augusto Fernandes left Jengka in distress after his body seized up in cramps and he was taken away in an ambulance following a 1-1 draw with Kedah in the Malaysia Cup semi-final first leg on Sunday.
The Brazilian striker's body temperature dropped to a dangerously low level, but quick work by Felda physio Helber Richard saw Fernandes recover sufficiently before being taken to hospital for observation.
Fernandes was discharged soon after, and travelled with the team bus to Kuala Lumpur on Monday, though his availability for the second leg in Alor Star on Saturday remains in doubt.
"Thiago is feeling much better because the medical team and Helber did a great job in attending to him," said Felda coach B. Sathianathan.
"His whole body started to cramp up because of dehydration, and luckily, the medical team was quick to respond. They managed to raise his body temperature and even before the ambulance took him away, he had already recovered."
Sathianathan could not say if Fernandes would be ready for Saturday's match, but the striker's absence would be a blow to Felda's hope of making the final.
"I can't fault the players. They gave it their all. The only thing was that we didn't score from the chances we created," said Sathianathan, who saw substitute Hadin Azman head in the equaliser three minutes from time to cancel Sandro Mendonca's 62nd-minute penalty for Kedah.
"But this time, there will be no pressure to go to final, although the players want to go to final. We have got nothing to lose."
Sathianathan also had praise for 20-year-old Daniel Amier Norhisham, who stepped into the centre of midfield to replace the injured Stuart Wark.
Although Daniel was replaced at half-time, Sathianathan felt the experience of going up against Kedah's Liridon Krasniqi did him good.
"Daniel did well, especially when coming up against Liridon," said Sathianathan. "But Liridon is a strong player and at times, Daniel struggled to cope. It was a good experience for him and he has still a lot more to learn."