KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Tambadaus are determined to progress far in this season’s FA Cup competition after they were drawn to meet Kelantan United in the second round at the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium on April 2 or 3. Their opponents who are a third tier team competing in the FAM Cup competition had earlier thrashed MPKJ FC 8-0 at Stadium MMU, Cyber Jaya on March 2 in the opening round.
Team manager Henry Saimpon (pic) said on Tuesday that Sabah will not take the competition lightly and will be fully focused like they always do in the Premier League. “We are fine with the draw and fixtures. We are ready to give our best to progress as far as we can go in the competition because cup competition is the same as league matches to us and we will always give our all. “The atmosphere will be different with the FA Cup as it will be played in a knockout system. So each match will be like playing in a final to both teams.”
However, he said they have to put the thought aside for the time being as they have to concentrate on the league matches against Negeri Sembilan and Pahang to be held before that. “We cannot think too far ahead as we have to prepare all our competition one at a time, and our target is always to try to win every game.
“We will not underestimate Kelantan United even though they are playing in the third division. However, with our current form and the way the team are improving, I am confident we stand a very good chance to overcome them,” he said. In last season’s FA Cup, Sabah were knocked out in the second round by JDT after putting up a fight before losing 2-1 in extra time here at Likas Stadium. Sabah last won the Cup in 1995 and were three times runners-up to Pahang (1998), Kuala Lumpur (1993,1994).
