KOTA KINABALU: The Rhinos are confident of overcoming the one-goal deficit that will eventually earn them a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals next month. The Rhinos take on the Police in the return leg of the second round at the Likas Stadium tonight. The Rhinos will have home ground advantage plus local support to bank on while the visiting Police will be trying to defend a slender one-goal cushion after winning the first leg encounter 2-1 last week.In order for the Rhinos to cruise through, they need a simple 1-0 win or by two goals should they concede any goal or goals as the away goal rule will apply for this Cup clash.
“We will be going all out for victory,” Rahman Zakaria said yesterday. “We must not look back but to look ahead. This is our only chance to progress through in the competition. We have nothing to lose, so an all out attack will be the name of our game!
“We must try to prove that we are one of the best team in the M-League. When you look at all the teams (in the M-League) there is not much difference between those teams in the Super League and the Premier League.
“As long as we can give our 110 per cent effort and have self belief, I’m sure we will achieve our mission. “At the same time, I also hope for a good turn out from the fans that could help spur the team to play harder and wholeheartedly. “At the moment, everything is OK in the team in terms of the availability of players. With the exception of our team captain (Rosdin Wasli) the rest are available for options,” the Rhinos team manager said, adding that Rosdin is yet to fully recover from his injury.
Rahman also reminded the Rhinos that although they are a Premier League outfit they are capable of defeating teams from the Super League. “As I have said earlier, we must try our best and double our efforts in order to achieve our goals. As long as we stay united and do it as a team, our chances of winning are wide open.
“I believe this team has all what it takes to be winners. We have done well in the Premier League lately and I don’t see why we cannot do the same in the competition,” said Rahman.
“I believe our head coach (Drago Mamic) has done his homework and he surely has his own strategy how to tackle the opponents. And I also believe that the players are ready to execute Drago’s game plan.
Rahman also said that Englishman Jamie Phoenix, who was rested in the first leg, will be brought into first team action. However Andre Scotti Ossemer, who scored the opener for Sabah in the first leg, is still a doubtful starter for tonight’s clash. “He has a slight injury, and we are not sure whether we can play him. It all depends on his progress in the next 24 hours,” said Rahman.
