New Sabah Times
KOTA KINABALU: Justin Ganai wants his charges to regroup and get their act right in their quest for a victory when they take on Selangor in a President’s Cup tie at the Likas Stadium today.
The State Under-21 are without a win in six matches, and Justin admits victory seemed hard to come by lately for his side as they have not won a match this month since the their 1-0 away win over Police late last month.
Finding the back of the opponents’ net is seen as one the main problems for Justin and his boys, as they merely managed to score nine from 12 games thus far.
“We have done everything for the team, but I guess, we just need to keep trying,” the Sabahawks Junior head coach said when contacted yesterday.
“We know that finding the back of the opponents’ net has been one of our main problems.
We squandered far too many opportunities, and I hope the players will get their act right tomorrow (today).
Justin will be without three key players for the clash.
“We will not have midfielder Didie (Arizal Ibrahim), Ateng (Zul Mansshah Aling) and Rawilson (Batiul). Didie has joined the senior side for the Friday’s date away to Perlis, while both Rawilson and Ateng are suspended for this tie.
“However, we welcome back defender Jenius Karib from suspension. Mohd Alfian (Jamil) is also doubtful due to a knee injury, and I hope Shahzree (Ruhif) Ismail will be ready for the clash after missing the last few matches due to injury.
“So basically, we will have a weakened side against Selangor, but nevertheless, we will try to put up our strongest.
“Of course, we look better with them (Ateng, Rawilson and Didie) around because when you look at the bench, there is no one with their experience. But this is football, and we have to do without them, and I hope we will do alright with the available players that we have,” he said.
Meanwhile, team manager Datuk Juil Nuatim is expecting nothing less than victory.
“We can no longer afford to drop points anymore, especially at home. For that, I’m urging all the players to go all out in search for victory, which seemed to be pretty much elusive for us now,” said Juil.
“I hope the players double their efforts and play as one big team. If we do that, our chances of ending our winless run will be brighter,” he added.
Sabahawks Junior is currently in ninth on 16 points from three wins, seven draws and two defeats while Selangor are two rung above on 19 points from five wins, four draws and three defeats.
