New Sabah Times
By FRANCIS XAVIER
KOTA KINABALU: The vastly experienced Justin Ganai is not about to brag nor is he going to set any unthinkable target for his young side in the State President’s Cup challenge this new season.
The veteran coach, who is no stranger to the State football scene where his last stint with the stateside was in 2017, also with the Under-21 squad, rather opts to be modest and realistic on their target.
“Of course we want to achieve the best, but then again, we have to see what the team are capable of doing. “We have about one month or so to prepare the team, and for now, what I’m hoping for is our preparations will go on smoothly because time is not on our side.
“There is little time to waste from now.
The league will kick off at the end of next month, and we just have to start to get cracking,” Justin, who was attached to the Malaysia Sports School Sabah, handling the national girls’ Under-16 and 19 teams, prior to making a comeback into the State fold.
Justin said he has 35 players to work with now before he finalises the squad to 30, who will spearhead their challenge in the competition.
“We will only register 30 and whether we like it or not, we have to drop five players. So, my advice to the players is to work hard during the coming days because we will only pick the best and those with good discipline and attitude,” the Junior Rhinos head coach said.
For the new season, the Junior Rhinos have been drawn in Group A, alongside last year’s losing finalists Kedah. The rest of the teams are JDT III, UiTM FC, Selangor, Pahang, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, MISC-MIFA, Selangor United and Armed Forces FC.
Defending champions, Terengganu FC III are drawn in Group B together with Felda United FC, PDRM, Perak, PKNP FC, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Sarawak, PKNS FC, Kelantan and Negeri Sembilan.
For the record, last year, the Junior Rhinos were ousted in the quarter-finals by Felda United FC.
The President’s Cup challenge is expected to kick off on Feb 21.
The Junior Rhinos training squad are as follows Syahrul Norsyahrizuan, Mohd Hizaz Lokman, Mohd Syahmil Nizam, Jordan James, Mohd Hasrul Nizam Roslan, Muhd Faqhrurazi Ahmad, Mohd Shariman Mukarim (Kota Kinabalu), Leonardo Lisua, Asrel Asrah (Pitas), Fedric Fadzly Gusmia (Telupid), Suhaizan Nazmie Etin (Lahad Datu), Kelvin Pengiran (Sipitang), Gerald Gadit (Tenom), Mohd Azmizan Ruslih, Muhd Aidil Muhimian (Tuaran), Faizulnizam Aziz, Abdul Rahim Razali, Abdul Razik Khan Rishad Khan, Aisamuddin Mohammad (Kinabatangan), Mohd Shah Mizie Abd Rahim, Rohaizzad Rosman (Sandakan), Hilarion Andrew, Cornelius George, Dazzly (Keningau), Zulkifly Harun (Beaufort), Joslan Aping (Nabawan), Pican Piok (Kota Marudu), Abd Hanafie Tokyo Abd Hasim (Tongod), AK Mohd Farhan AK Tamin (Membakut), Mohd Danish Anuar, Faid Abas (Labuan), Owen Piou, Arick Odo, Mohd Faizal Jamrah and Mud Shazwien (Kota Belud).
