Daily Express
Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah President Cup squad must bounce back from their below par performance against Sarawak last week if they hope to achieve a favourable result in the clash with Pahang today (Thursday).
Against one of the favourites in the competition, who are currently third in the league table while Sabah are in ninth position, the players will need to buck up and be on top of their game in order to get a win.
Based on the team's away form this season, they stand a very good chance to deliver as they have only lost once with three wins and four draws.
The team's main weakness this season is inconsistency especially in getting the all important goals.
Main strikers Zul Manshah Aling and Rexjeson Pitrus have between them only managed to net three goals after 16 games and it is a cause for concern for the coaches.
As coach Justin Ganai had said earlier, if they can't score then the best the team could hope for is only a draw.
In today's game, Rexjeson will not be with the team as he is serving a one match suspension and his replacement Eyo Mathew, a veteran from last season's squad who also struggled to find his finishing touch this season with only a goal to show, will start the match alongside Zul Manshah at the front.
Sabri Sahar will again be conducting affairs at the tip of the midfield with Fread Filemon Saih playing a defensive role.
The two wingers Hafizan Jahar and Anwari Md. Tajuddin have been given extra attention by Justin during their training sessions on Tuesday.
All too often these two players failed to push upwards as required during the match and left Sabri with little passing options and disrupted the flow of play as a result.
The team however, will have their reliable back four back in action with skipper Dendy Lowa on the left with Jenius Karib on the right while Benerlys Raim and Rawilson Batuil will play in the central role.
Robson Rendy Renning who had a marvelous run of good form since his appendix surgery is likely to get the nod over Endre S. Tipay again in goal.
