KOTA KINABALU: Juil Nuatim wants his charges to keep their superb momentum going by clinching all three points when they take on Kedah in a President’s Cup Group A challenge at the Likas Stadium today.
The Sabah team manager said that he expects his team to do a good job, especially when they will have the slight homeground advantage on their side.
Sabah, under the watchful eyes of head coach Johnny Dominicus, has started their season reasonably well – edging Johor 2-1 in the opener at home before thrashing Melaka 4-1 away followed by the one-all draw against Bukit Jalil Sports School in their last match.
Today, Juil said that he is expecting nothing less than seeing his side collecting maximum points.
“We must keep the momentum going because it is very important for us to be consistent in producing the result.
“Furthermore, we are currently at the top of the standings (on seven points) and we must try our best to maintain our position. To do so … the only answer is for us to win the tie against Kedah,” said Juil.
He said the team are confident of winning the points and are well-rested to come out and deliver the goods.
“We have enough time to rest after last week’s match (against Bukit Jalil Sports School) and I think the coaches have prepared the boys well enough for this encounter,” added Juil.
Juil said the only setback ahead of the clash was that they will not have at least three regulars.
“Apolinario dislocated his shoulder during training on Monday while Fread Filemon is out on suspension after getting red carded against Bukit Jalil. We will also not have Sabri Sahar, who has a swollen ankle,” added Juil.
“We will try to get the services of two players from the senior squad, but since they were in action against Kuala Lumpur (in the Super League), it is very unlikely that they will be released. Furthermore, they have an away FA Cup tie this weekend, so there is nothing we can do about it,” he said, referring to Leopold Alfonso Otong and Md Rozaimi Abd Rahman, who scored the opener for Sabah on Tuesday.
Nevertheless, Juil said they will still be fielding their strongest available squad for the clash.
“This is a football and it is a team event. As long as we play as a big team, our chances of winning are always high,” Juil said.
