Kota Kinabalu: Sabah host Kuala Lumpur at the Likas Stadium on Tuesday and a win would boost their chances of a top three finish in the Premier League.
Team manager Rahman Zakaria said the team are not affected by their recent 2-3 defeat to Sarawak in the Malaysia Cup and was confident his charges will put up a good fight and go for a win against Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur narrowly beat Sabah 1 - 0 in their league's first round encounter and they would definitely would want to repeat that victory on Tuesday.
Both teams go into the match fully aware that they cannot afford to lose as Sabah, currently in fifth position with 17 points, are only a point behind Kuala Lumpur who are third with 18.
Kuala Lumpur on the other hand are gunning for a win to consolidate their position as well as to keep up with league leaders UPB-MyTeam FC and second placed PDRM.
Rahman also said that he is expecting coach Drago Mamic to make minimal changes in the line up for the match. Midfielders Radzi Hussein and Chow Chee Wing, who both scored in Kuching are expected to keep their places in the starting line-up and Charles Obi is also expected to partner compatriot Prince Ijiebor Ativie in attack.
Obi, who has scored nine goals in the league so far, will be aiming to add to his tally and Rahman is confident the Nigerian can deliver the goals. At the back, national defender Ronny Harun is expected to partner another Nigerian Prince Eboagwu Etuew in defence to keep Kuala Lumpur at bay.
He called for the fans to come to the stadium wearing red shirts and not to miss the match that is expected to be an explosive encounter.
On the match against Sarawak, he said Sabah were unlucky as they were capable of winning but the players failed to capitalise on the chances they had in front of goal.
He congratulated Sarawak for taking their chances well but said that the defeat will serve as a wake-up call to the team to improve their performances overall.
Sabah's probable line-up against Kuala Lumpur: Irwan Jamil (GK); Ronny Harun, Chow Chee Wing, S.Sunder, Charles Obi, Ijebor Prince Guy Ativie, Prince Eboagwu Etuew, Rosdin Wasli, Mohd. Tharmini Saiban, P.Rajes, Mohd. Radzi Hussein.
