Juniors target third victory

New Sabah Times

LEADING THE ATTACK … Eyo Matthew (No 24) is expected to spearhead the Sabahawks Juniors attack.

KOTA KINABALU: Sabahawks Juniors will have to do without at least four regulars when they take on youthful Bukit Jalil Sports School in a President’s Cup challenge at the Likas Stadium today. Skipper Dendy Lowa, Didie Arizal Ibrahim, Benerlys Raim and Gerald S. Mojikon, who struck the winning goal against Police in their last encounter, will all be missing the 4.15pm clash.

 Dendy and Gerald will be serving their automatic one-match suspension after picking up their yellow cards in the 1-0 win over Police, while Benerlys, who was given a straight red against Police, will miss the team’s next two matches, starting with today’s tie. As for Didie, he has been included in the Senior side, that plays home to Johor in a Premier League challenge on Friday.

 But it is not all bad news for the Sabahawks Juniors, as they welcome back influential midfielder Sabri Sahar from a strained muscle. Striker Zul Mansshah Aling, who scored a brace against Kuala Lumpur in their last home match, is also back from suspension. However, unlike Sabri, who will go straight into the first team, Zul Mansshah is likely to start from the bench.

 He was having fever a day before, and it is unlikely that head coach Justin Ganai would risk playing him the full 90 minutes. Despite being without four of his players, Datuk Juil Nuatim remains optimistic of nicking their third victory. He said he was happy with the progress made by his young charges, and believes that if this continues, they will get better as the season goes along.

 “The team has improved slowly, but steadily since day one of the League. And I hope the players will continue to work hard in training. “I would also like to remind them that there are no two ways about achieving success, but to work hard and keep improving throughout the season,” the Sabah team manager said. Juil was also happy with the good work done by his coaching staff such as Justin, Burhan Ajui, Matasan and Jasri.

 “They have worked hard in leading the team, and I believe that they’ve done the best they could for the team,” he said. Today, Justin is likely to name Eyo Matthew and Rexjeson Pitirus in attack, while Sabri, Fread Filemon Saih, Umareng Bacok and Anwari Tajuddin in midfield, with Shazree Ruhif Ismail, Rawilson Batul, Jenius Karib and Hafizan Jahar at the backline, with Endre S. Tipay as the team’s number one ball stopper.