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| GETTING THE NOD … Sabri Sahar (centre) has been released to play for the juniors. |
KOTA KINABALU: Juil Nuatim urged his side to return home with at least two points from their two consecutive away ties against Melaka and Bukit Jalil Sports School in the President’s Cup challenge.
Sabah take on Melaka today and followed by the tie against Bukit Jalil Sports School on Thursday before returning home.
Juil said he will still be happy if the team picks up points from the two ties, which is their first away fixtures of the season, before insisting that the target is still to try to win both the matches.
“Although it is still early in the season, we mustn’t take that as an excuse. We have to perform well and be at our very best at all times.
At the same time we must try to get the full points or at least settle for a draw for these away matches,” said the State President’s Cup squad team manager.
Sabah kicked off their challenge with a 2-1 home victory over Johor last Thursday, and Juil said they must improve on their performance in the upcoming ties.
“Things were a little messy against Johor. But I believe the players can do better than what we saw against Johor.
“If we can improve in our game, I’m quite confident of getting the results,” he added.
But Sabah two-goal hero Md Rozaimi Abd Rahman will not be part of the team for the two away clashes and so is Leopold Alfonso Otong.
The senior head coach Justin Ganai didn’t have the privilege to release the duo as they have a tough home match against Kelantan in a Super League tie on Feb 8.
However, midfielder Sabri Sahar will still be with the team for the two clashes.
“We would love to have them (Rozaimi & Leo) but unfortunately, they are needed by the seniors, so we have to live with what we have, which I believe are good enough to do the job,” said Juil.
Meanwhile, the team head coach Johnny Dominicus said that they have to make changes to the winning side against Johor due to the unavailability of Rozaimi and Leopold.
Like Juil, Johnny said as much as he wants to see both the duo making the trip, but we got to understand that the seniors have an awesome game ahead.
“They are two good players. But we have to do with what we have. I think we have capable replacements to take over from the duo,” said Johnny without revealing who.
