By FRANCIS XAVIER
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| SERBIAN CONNECTION … Rodoljub Paunovic scores Tambadau’s winning goal against Selangor PKNS FC in a friendly match last Saturday. At right is his countryman Luka Milunovic. |
KOTA KINABALU: It has been a fruitful trip for the Tambadau to Peninsular Malaysia last week. Head coach Jelius Ating said the trip has done the team good in their preparations to face the remainder of their challenge in the Premier League. “I think those three matches that we have played during this international break were the right thing to do as it helped the team to remain competitive and also helped the players maintain their momentum.
“It also presented us with the opportunities to test ourselves against Super League sides such as Melaka United FC and Selangor United FC. “For that, on behalf of the team, I wish to thank the management, especially our acting president Datuk Peter Anthony, for giving us this opportunity. It has been a pretty useful and meaningful trip for the team,” said Jelius, when contacted yesterday.
According to Jelius, the matches against the two sides have helped him a lot in preparing the team ahead of their clash against Penang at the Likas Stadium, this Saturday. For the record, Tambadau played twice against Melaka United FC and once against Selangor PKNS FC during the week-long trip. They lost 0-2 in the first game against Melaka United before bouncing back by registering victory with an identical scoreline against the same side.
They ended the tour edging Selangor PKNS FC at the MBPJ Stadium last Saturday. Serbian striker Rodoljub Paunovic scored the solitary goal of the match. “It has been a good test for the team against two good sides from the Super League. They have so many experienced players, including former internationals. Nevertheless, we showed that we can compete against them in all the matches,” he said.
“I’m also happy to note the positive attitude shown by our players. They have shown good improvement and I hope the players will continue to improve as a team or individually,” he said. He also revealed that all his players will be available for options when they resume their challenge this Saturday. “Our Korean defender Park Tae Su is the only player that will not see action this Saturday because he will be serving his one-match suspension after collecting his third yellow card in our tie against Negeri Sembilan in our last game prior to the break.
The rest are all available, including our Brazilian striker Luiz Carlos Junior,” he said. “Although he (Junior) was not part of the team during our tour to the Peninsula, he has recovered from his injury on his thigh. However, he is still not at his best just yet. “Last night (Monday) I played him for 70 minutes when we played against our Under-21 side, and he seemed to be alright,” said Jelius.
For the record, during the trip to Peninsular Malaysia, Jelius brought a total of 24 players namely Rozaimie Rohim, Robson Rendy Rining, Mafry Balang, Rawilson Batuil, Dendy Lowa, Muhammad Mohd Safar, Mohd Azizan Nordin, Alto Linus, Melky, Jenius Karib, Randy Baruh Samson, Justin Samaan, Mohd Azwan Abd Fattah, Ricco Nigel Milus, Maxsius Musa, Elias Sulaiman, Sabri Sahar, Rahman Shah Marajeh, Stanley, Mazlan Yahya, Ranilson Batuil, Park Tae Su, Paunovic and Luka Milunovic. Youngster, Ariusdius Jais, joined the team after being dropped from the national Under-22 squad.
