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Wednesday, May 02, 2012

Under-19 squad confident of doing well

New Sabah Times
THANK YOU … Alijus, (4th from left), receiving the mock cheque from Junaidi. The rest, (from left), are Jumat, Awang, Ahmad Syuaib, an unidentified official from Petrohub, Roslan and Jasri
KOTA KINABALU: Alijus Hj Sipil hopes the State Under-19 squad will do well when they compete in the National Youth Cup Football Championship 2012 that kicks off at Universiti Utara Malaysia in Sintok, Kedah on Thursday (May 3).

 The Sabah FA Secretary General said despite the fact that the team only had two weeks of preparations, it cannot be taken as an excuse not to perform. Alijus said this at the handing over of the State flag and sponsorship ceremony money to the State squad at the FA’s office in Likas yesterday.

 Team manager Ahmad Syuaib Nasir concurred with Alijus, saying that they are going there not to just make up the numbers. In fact, the young Ahmad Syuaib is pretty confident of his charges, saying that ‘realistically the target is to win the championship, but the first target would be to reach the final.

Once we do that, then we will go for the crown’. “We are training twice everyday … morning and afternoon, and we believe we are ready for the challenge,” Ahmad Syuaib added. On the other hand, head coach Awang Sabtu Jamil rather opts to wait and see on their chances. “It will be an unknown challenge. Furthermore, this is a carnival type of competition, and it is important for our key players to stay fit throughout the competition.
“If we can do that, I think our chances will be brighter,” said Awang. In the competition, Sabah has been drawn together with the host Kedah and Sarawak in Group C. And Awang sees Kedah as the team to beat in the group. “What we reliably learnt is that, they (Kedah) have been preparing the team for the last four months.

They are the host, and I’m sure they want to do well. “But then again, we will do our best, and must win one of the two group ties to advance into the next round, which is the quarter-finals,” Awang added. On their preparations, Awang said they have been playing a series of friendly matches against local clubs as well as the State Super League side.

 At the same time, Awang also expressed his sincere thanks to his Director Nordin Fauzi (Sabah Fire and Rescue Department) for giving him the chance to lead the State squad. “I personally would like to say thank you to him because without his support, I may not be able to be part of the team,” said Awang. The FA’s Vice President II Datuk Yusof Kassim handed over the State flag to the squad and also received the sponsorship from Grace One Sdn Bhd.

 Later, Alijus received the sponsorship from Petrohub Corporation Sdn Bhd. Also present was Petrohub chief executive officer, Junaidi Datuk Abdul Rahman and Grace One group managing director, Many Woon and senior manager, Chan Chuan Sian. Alijus when asked about the resignation of the FA’s treasurer-cum-team manager of the state senior squad, Hj Shahriman Abdullah, said that the matter has yet to be deliberated.

 “We have yet to convene the Supreme Council meeting to discuss the matter, but we will do it so as soon as possible,” said Alijus. Other teams competing in the U-19 championship are Kuala Lumpur, Pulau Pinang, Pahang and Negeri Sembilan from Group A, Johor, Terengganu and Kelantan in Group B, and Melaka, Selangor, Perlis and Perak in Group D
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