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| GOAL-MOUTH ACTION … a Sabahawks Junior player clashes with the Bukit Jalil Sports School goalkeeper during their President’s Cup match at the Likas Stadium yesterday. |
They pressed hard, but failed to create any good chances, as the energetic Bukit Jalil Sports School, who paraded an Under-17 side, held firm in defending their half. After the break, it was the visitors who held the upper hand, and they could have taken the lead in the 59th minute if not for the superb goalkeeping by Endre. Akram Khairul Hakimie’s 25-meter freekick seemed to have gone straight into the far corner of the net, but Endre was in his element to palm the ball away for a corner.
Two minutes later, Endre was there again to stop another attempt by Bukit Jalil Sports School, and this time, Akram saw his grounder from inside the box being saved by the keeper. Datuk Juil Nuatim said he was disappointed with the result. “I’m disappointed because a win would have done the team good, but nevertheless, this is better than not getting a point at all.
“We could have done better, but I’ll let our coaching staff rectify the weaknesses of the team. “I have no complaints on the effort given by the players because as you can see, they did the best they could. “In fact, I want them to take this as a lesson that playing their hearts out alone is not enough because you need team effort to get the better of your opponents.
“Today (yesterday), I think there was too much individual play by the players and at times, they dribbled the ball too much. “So I hope they can improve on our team play in upcoming games, as by doing so, our chances of winning a game would be greater,” the Sabah team manager said when met after the match. To a question, Juil admitted that his side was weakened by the absence of four regulars.
Three of them, skipper Dendy Lowa, Gerald S. Mojikon and Benerlys Raim were serving suspensions, while Didie Arizal Ibrahim will be part of the senior side that will face Police today at the same venue. Meanwhile, head coach Justin Ganai said they were facing a chosen side from throughout the country, and that it was certainly not an easy game.
“We were playing against a team represented by players selected nationwide, and you can see that technically, they were good. “I told our players not to underestimate them (Bukit Jalil Sports School), but to play to their best capabilities. I think our true strength was really tested today, and now we must try to rectify our weaknesses exposed in this game,” said Justin.
