Daily Express
Kota Kinabalu: Juffry Omopor will be the surprise starter for Sabah when they take on T-Team in their Super League clash at the Likas Stadium tonight (Tuesday).
The diminutive striker who only played as a late substitute for the team since the start of the season has been given the heavy task to lead the team's attack with veteran Zainizam Marjan.
The team desperately needs a good finisher and with time running out and players not available due to injuries and chief striker Bobby Gonzales also a pale shadow of his former self after finding the net only once so far this season, it was no surprise that the coaches decided to give Juffry the chance to prove himself.
After their narrow defeat to Sarawak last Saturday, the players must bounce back from the disappointing loss and they have got to perform very well to get the result they need.
The players must find ways to find the net. There is no point in controlling the match for 90 minutes without scoring.
As witnessed by their early matches played here at the Likas Stadium, the team could play good attacking football and the only problem is their poor finishing.
Coach Justin Ganai during the final training session at the Likas Stadium on Monday also called on the players to play as a unit and stay focused throughout the match.
He reminded the players to remember their role in the team.
He said they must follow the instruction strictly and not simply go out of position thus making life difficult for their teammates and warned any lapse of concentration may cause the team dearly.
Meanwhile, Aussie import Brandan Gan who was given the chance to partner Zainizam up front as striker in the match against Sarawak will start the match in the midfield department linking up with Hendrik Helmke, Sumardi Hajalan and Sharul Mohd Hussin.
The back-line will be the ever-reliable pairing of captain Reithuddin Ag Emran and Mafry Balang supported by Alto Linus and Ronny Harun with Azizon Kadir in goal.
The team who are chasing a top five finish in this season's campaign hopefully will also get the full support of the home crowd tonight.
The previous match saw the players treated to boos and jeers every time a mistake was made and it is time the fans give the players the encouragement they badly needed.
