KOTA KINABALU: It will be a case of “WIN or BUST” for the Rhinos when they take on Johor FC in a Malaysia Cup Group B challenge at the Likas Stadium tonight.
Not even a draw will be good for the team after succumbing to defeats in their first two games.
“This is a game where we must win at all costs in order to survive,” Rahman Zakaria admitted.
“Anything less will be fatal for the team,” he added.
“When we look at our last two games, without disrespect to Penang and Kuala Lumpur, they are considered among the weakest in the group, and we lost our battles against both teams.
“And unless we can score a victory over Johor FC, all will be over for us tomorrow because we just cannot hope to win our remaining games when we cannot do the job against the likes of Kuala Lumpur or Penang,” the Rhinos’ team manager said.
Besides Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Johor FC, reigning champions Kedah and Police complete the six-team Group B.
The Rhinos, who reached the semi-finals last season, lost 1-3 in the opening game to Penang at the Likas Stadium. And on Tuesday, Salvester Sindeh and Mohd Radzi Hussin saved them from further embarrassment as the duo scored a goal each in the dying seconds before bowing out 2-3 to Kuala Lumpur.
Failing to improve on their lacklustre performances, they could expect a thrashing by a well balanced side like Johor FC.
Tonight, Sabah’s new signing, David Njoku, dubbed as Adebayor, by his agent Ricky B. Swen Jr, will be making his home debut for the team.
The 19-year-old Nigerian striker is likely to spearhead the Rhinos’ attack together with Brazilian Andre Scottie Ossemer.
David last played for St. Joseph Warriors FC of Liberia.
According to Ricky, he (David) also had stints with several top clubs in Nigeria, including Sharks FC of Portacourt (Nigeria), before seeking greener pastures overseas.
He also had international experience being part of the Nigerian Under-23 squad where he was called up five times.
Ricky said David also had attended a series of trials in France, with PSG (France) and FC Brugg (Belgium).
“He was successful in the trials, but the winter was so strong and he could not stay from December 2007 to February 2008.
“Sabah will benefit a lot from his scoring ability,” said Ricky, the man who brought former Sabah hot shot, Liberian Josiah Seton.
David made his debut for the team in the defeat to Kuala Lumpur since replacing out-of-contract Georgian striker Kokhrei Dze Irakli.
Either Salvester Sindeh or Bobby Gonzales could form a three-man attack should the Rhinos’ head coach Drago Mamic opt for an all-out attacking game.
Zuraindey Jumai, Mohd Nafuzi Zain, Chow Chee Wing and Hishamuddin Othman are likely to be at the midfield, while Dragic Dalibor, Ahmad Tharmini Saiban, Wong Sai Kong and Munir Amran will be the driving force at the backline with either Harold John or Irwan Jamil the team’s ball stopper.
