Juniors win group

New Sabah Times

LEOPOLD … scores second goal with a solo effort.

 KOTA KINABALU: Sabahawks Juniors ended their group challenge on a high after registering a 2-0 victory over T-Team in a President’s Cup Group A challenge in Kuala Terengganu yesterday. The three points gained saw them conclude their preliminary round campaign by winning the group and accumulating a total of 55 points from an impressive record of 17 wins, four draws and one defeat.

 The high flying State junior squad also had an almost perfect home run, by winning all the matches, except one, which ended in a draw. They pipped previous leaders KL Sime Darby by one point. For the record, the club side concluded their challenge earlier than the rest. Sabahawks Juniors will take on Terengganu, who finished fourth in the Group B, in the quarter-finals.

 The first leg of the quarter-finals has been set for May 28, while the second leg on May 31. The Sabahawks Juniors were supposed to play the first leg away. However, due to the fact that their home venue the Likas Stadium will be occupied during the date (May 31), they will play the first leg home and return leg away. 

Yesterday, flanker Jetko Romedius drew first blood for his side in the 80th minute after finishing off a pass from Sabri Sahar before Leopold Alfonso Otong added the second with a solo effort five minutes later. When contacted, Juil Nuatim was delighted to see his charges live up to his expectations by winning the group.
However, the Sabah team manager was quick to warn his charges that the battle is far from over. Juil said: “I would like to congratulate them for this feat. It is great to see them winning the group. However, this is only the beginning of the real thing. So, I want them to stay focused as our quarter-final date (with Terengganu) is just around the corner.”

 From here, Juil said they will take one game at a time. “The target is to reach the final, but for now, we will take it one game at a time,” Juil said, who was also happy for the coaching staff especially the head coach Johnny Dominicus, Burhan Ajui, Matasan Ahmad as well as Awal Taham. “They have done pretty well in guiding the team, and I hope they will continue the good work,” he added.