Daily Express
Kota Kinabalu: The philosophy is to win the game tomorrow, said newly appointed Sabah team manager Datuk Yusof Kassim on Thursday.
The Sabah Football Association Vice President II was commenting on the FA Cup first round tie today (Friday) against Felda United at 4.15pm at the Likas Stadium.
He was at the stadium after a meeting with the players at the Safa office to watch the players going through about 45 minutes of training under David McCreery.
"From what I saw today, they are a bunch of good players and I hope they can transform that onto the pitch tomorrow. I believe what they need to do now is to start to believe in themselves."
He also clarified that there was no problem within the team and the meeting held earlier on was to motivate them and only concentrate on the FA Cup tie today.
Yusof, however, won't be able to sit on the bench today as he is yet to be officially registered in the team and Aljius Sipil is still the official team manager at the time being.
Meanwhile, youngster Rexjeston Pitrus from Keningau may get his big break as the President Cup striker who had been scoring freely in the past friendlies has caught McCreery's eye and he may start from the bench in today's match.
McCreery said it is good to give the youngster a chance as he had been doing very well even against the senior team.
The coach was still tight lipped on the starting line-up and will most likely only reveal it to the players this morning.
What is certain is that Rhys David Weston has taken over the captain's armband and he will probably partner Shahril Faizal Ahmad in the centre of defence with support from Sumardi Hajalan and Sharul Azhar Ture.
Rosdin Wasli, who started his career in the engine room will be shifted up to play as a defensive midfielder with Radzi Mohd Hussin as a playmaker and the two flanks may be unchanged and still start with Farid Saibun and Shahrudin Yaakup.
Striker Koh Traore who only started the previous match in the second half will definitely start today with Wan Aliff Wan Jasmi as partner while Shahril Sa'ari will remain the goalkeeper.
