Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Football Association (Safa) acting president Datuk Peter Anthony is hoping Sabah Tambadaus will get their first win of the season against Terengganu II at Likas Stadium tonight (Saturday). The team have yet to taste victory since the start of the new season having lost their opening match 1-2 to JDT II at home and followed up with a 3-3 draw away to Kelantan last week.
“After a rather disappointing start with only one point collected from our last two matches, we are hoping for a better performance tomorrow night to ensure that we can win all three points,” he said on Friday. He also called on all the fans to come to the stadium to give their full support to the team.
“We have been working hard towards the management and administration of the association. “There were many important issues that we have managed to solve since we took over from the previous management so that Sabah are able to participate in this season’s campaign. “Unfortunately, other issues emerged and that have negative effect on the association and also the team.
This is a nightmare for the sport in the State, but we will continue our effort to overcome this and open a new chapter for football. “I therefore urge all parties to be united and put behind the negative issues and give their full support to Sabah Tambadaus tomorrow night.” Meanwhile, head coach Jelius Ating is expected to field the same starting 11 that faced Kelantan last week.
Import player Rodoljub Paunovic and Luka Milunovic will lead the attack with support from another import Luiz Carlos Junior and Maxsius Musa from the wings with Azizzan Nordin and Sabri Sahar operating in midfield. Korean import Park Taesu will team up with skipper Rawilson Batuil in centre-back position with Deny Lowa on the left and Randy Baruh on the right while Rozaimie Rohim in goal.
Jelius hopes the players with hard work done after the last match will give a better showing in front of the home crowd. “We have been training hard and I do hope the players will produce a much improved performance tomorrow. “Terengganu II are unknown entity to me but with their opening two wins of the season, I am sure they are a good team so I hope the players will be vigilant and try their very best to win all three points,” he said on Friday. - GL Oh Photo Source: Media Safa
