New Sabah Times
KOTA KINABALU: Misfiring Sabahawks Junior have been urged to start pumping in the goals as of today where they will take on Johor in a President’s Cup tie at the Likas Stadium where the kick off time is scheduled at 4.15pm.
The State Under-21 squad has been firing blanks in their last two fixtures despite being unbeaten five matches in a row.
While expressing his concern, head coach Justin Ganai insists the team needs to be more lethal in their finishing in order for them to win matches and gain maximum points.
So far, they merely managed to score seven goals after eight games into the season, and even bottom of the table Armed Forces, scored the same number of goals as the State side.
“We are unbeaten in the last five games but three of them ended in draws, including the last one.
“On the positive side, we have kept a clean sheet in our last three games but we lack the finishing touches at the other end of the pitch.
“We created enough chances (in previous matches) but just could not finish them off. This is a problem that needs to be solved immediately,” said Justin, while hoping that the goals will start coming against Johor.
The coach is still keeping faith on his leading striker Rexjeson Pitirus who will spearhead the attack alongside Zul Mansshah Aling.
“They will be no major changes to our first team players, because they have done quite well in our last games. As I have said earlier, our problem is scoring goals.
“We have done some work on our finishing during training, and hopefully, it will work wonders tomorrow (today),” said Justin.
On the team’s chances, Justin said: “The players are eager to play and so far there are no major injuries worries in the team.
“It is our first meeting this season so we have little knowledge about them, apart from that Johor are in the top two of the league. This is enough to tell us that they are a strong team but I have confidence in my players.
“If they work hard and give their fullest effort on the field and take their chances well, they should be able to get the points,” Justin stressed.
After eight games, Sabah is eighth in the 18-team table on 13 points from three wins, four draws and one defeat while Johor on the other hands are second on 21 points from seven wins and one defeat.
