BY FRANCIS XAVIER Francis@newsabahtimes.com.my
KOTA KINABALU: Mohd Yassin Aman has set a modest target for his young squad by wanting them to do better than last year in the FAM Youth Cup 2016 challenge.
The State Under-19 manager said anything more than that will be a bonus.
“Of course we want to do better, but our first priority is to improve on our finishing (last year).
From there, we will see what we can do to have a good season.
“I think we have quite a decent side, and I’m quite confident of doing well in the competition,” said Yassin when met at the team’s training at the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex field here on Saturday.
“Like any other league, this too will not be an easy one. But as long as we are serious in our efforts and show good discipline on and off the field, our chances of doing well will also be there.
“So, this season, we want to make sure that discipline in the team is our utmost priority. We need to do it because this is one of the most important ingredient to do well,” he added.
Yassin believes, he has a winning combination in guiding the team to success in the league.
“We have Jelius (Ating) as the head coach, and he will be assisted by the experienced Awang Sabtu Jamil, who guided Sabah to their only President’s Cup crown in the late 90s while our goalkeeper coach is Jasrih Jabidin.
I see that this is a good combination,” he said.
For the record, last season, the state squad finished in 12th placing in the 15-team standings after they merely managed to win four games and suffered 10 defeats.
The 12 points gained saw them miss the boat to the quarter-finals.
This was Yassin’s first appointment in more than a decade in leading the state charge.
His last task with the State team was in the mid 90s where he was named as the State under-14 manager and was also the assistant team manager for the state under-16 squad.
“It is an honour for me to have been given this task. I have been involved in football for more than 30 years, be it as district level or state level.
But these young players are the future of Sabah football, so I would say this is a heavy responsibility.
Yassin expressed his sincere thanks to the Sabah FA President, who is also the Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Haji Aman for giving him this opportunity in leading the State side.
“I will try to do my best in carrying out my duty as the team manager of the team,” he said.
He also extends his appreciation to Yamani Hafez Musa (Sabah FA Futsal and Beach Soccer Chairman) for supporting him in taking the role.
Yassin said that this year, they are allowed to register 30 players, but they are likely to settle for 28.
POSSIBLE SQUAD
Mazlan Norli , Mohd Azren Lamdin (both Kota Belud), Mohd Suzairee Samail, Yuseddy Yusiman, Mac Drint Manus, Mohd Shariman Mukarim, Renoyston Tony, Mohd Aidil Zuhri (all Kota Kinabalu), Ranilson Batuil, Arius Jais (both Kota Marudu), Jeniun Karib, Leonardo Lisua (both Pitas), Maldini Harun, Prosper George, Kelvin Pangiran (all Sipitang), Mohd Zaki Sapri, Mohd Azmizan Rusli (both Tuaran), Mohd Aidil Shahrulnizam, Mohd Ramzainie Ramlee (both Ranau), Mohd Aidil Safee, Mohd Shah Mizie Abdul Rahim (both Sandakan), Solehuddin Akmad (Kinabatangan), Stanley Sulong (Tenom), Hamran Peter (Telupid), Evan Wensley Wenceslaus (Tambunan), Fazrian Shah Azri (Putatan), Izan Rifaa Sasari (Keningau), Mohd Nur Khairuddin Herlamabang (Lahad Datu).
