Kota Kinabalu: It will be a huge match for Sabah as they need to restore some pride when they entertain Selangor in the Super League match at the Likas Stadium today (Saturday).
Coach Justine Ganai looks to pick up his side following the humiliating 3-6 defeat at the hands of Terengganu in their last away match.
He knows full well that the team will have to be on top form against the visiting team to get the maximum three points.
It was never going to be easy playing against the Red Giants.
Sabah last played to a 0-2 loss at home in the Super League match last season.
And they may have chosen the wrong time to play them, especially now that Selangor are having a decent run lately with a win over high-flying Kelantan and a draw with Lions XII in their last match after a shaky start to their season.
They also have former Aston Villa forward Bosko Balaban who has scored two goals so far to lead their forwardline and he may prove to be a real handful for the shaky Sabah backline.
Hopefully the return of influential captain and centreback Reithuddin Ag Emran in the lineup may help to steady the ship.
He will need all his experience to put things right at the back after the total collapse of the team's defence with his absence in the match against Terengganu.
The return of Australian import Michael Baird is also welcome news for the team as his presence may divert the attention of the opposing players and gives his teammates the chance to deliver the goals.
Justin has been under a lot of stick lately especially on the social media.
He badly needs the support of his players and the team have got to learn from the morale sapping loss to react immediately and show their support for their coach with a convincing display today.
Costly errors have been the story for Sabah's season so far and they need to buck up and the frontline especially need to convert their chances otherwise they will put further pressure on the defence.
Just hope the players can show their big character after all the criticism and prove to everyone that the critics were wrong to write them off.
Only three points separate the two teams and a win for Sabah will surely push them up from their current 8th position and it will also boost their confidence ahead of another tricky match against Negeri Sembilan on April 7.
