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| CHIEF HITMAN … Koh Traore (left) will be the lone striker upfront. |
The David McCreery side will go into the battle high in confidence following their comfortable 3-1 victory over UiTM FC in their previous tie. Apart from seeking revenge, the Sabahawks are also well aware that the three points would also strengthen their grip on a place for the Malaysia Cup playoff. Maintaining their winning run for the rest of the season could also see them gain automatic qualification for the country’s most prestigious and oldest competition.
The last automatic spot – fourth place – is currently occupied by Kedah, who is six points ahead of Sabah, and has a game in hand. “All the players are fit for the clash, with the exception of Hardy (Charles Parsi), who has been left behind due to injury,” said assistant coach Johnny Dominicus when contacted yesterday. “Apart from that, the rest are the same side that played in the win against UiTM FC. It is likely that Rosdin Wasli is to fill in the vacuum left by Hardy at the backline,” he added.
Johnny did not travel with the team yesterday, as he is set to attend the Sabah Sports Awards here tonight after being nominated for the Best Coach Award. Johnny also revealed that they are likely to stick to the same 4-5-1 formation against KL Pos Malaysia FC. Shahril Sa’ari will remain as the number one ball stopper, with Julamri Muhammad at left back with Shahrul Azhar Ture on the right, while Shahril Faizal and Rosdin at the centre of the defence line.
Alto Linus and Shahruddin Yakup will be deployed at the right and left of midfield respectively with Abdelfatah Safi, Zainizam Marjan and Mohd Fazilidin Khalid at the heart of the midfield with striker-in-chief Koh Traore the team’s lone striker. Sabah is currently in sixth spot on 24 points from seven wins, three draws and seven defeats, while KL Pos Malaysia FC are four points adrift in seventh spot from five wins, five draws and seven losses.
