MATCH PREVIEW By FRANCIS XAVIER
Francis@newsabahtimes.com.my
KOTA KINABALU: Things are finally ‘in order’ for Sabah DYS FC as they vow to recover from their opening setback with a win when they host NS Penjara FC in a Group A tie at the Tawau Stadium today.
Kick off time is at 4.15pm.
Sabah DYS FC, were forced to concede a 3-0 walkover defeat to Sg Ara FC in their opening game last Sunday after issues relating to its players playing without playing licences.
With only eight eligible players then, DYS FC went on to play the match only to return for the second half with an insufficient number of footballers as two of them were down with injuries.
But yesterday, DYS FC team manager Muhammad Abdul Karim declared that they have already tackled all the problems faced by the club, who are in their debut season in the country’s third tier league.
“All has been approved and it is settled…we will have all the players, and officials, available for the game against NS Penjara FC.
“All the players are free from injury too meaning we will have our best players for the match. We were all affected by what had happened in the first game but it is now in the past.
The morale within the team too is good, a positive sign for us,” Muhammad said when contacted yesterday.
He added that there is no better way to recover from the setback with a good win over NS Penjara FC.
Despite the fact that NS Penjara FC are the more experienced team having played in the league since last year, DYS FC, Muhammad said would give their utmost best in order to achieve a desirable result in order to please the home fans.
“We will concentrate on our own game and strength as a team. We will definitely give our best and try to get something out of the game. I also urge the fans to turn up in numbers to support DYS FC…hopefully it will motivate and inspire the team,” he added.
DYS FC will surely count on the fit-again Mohd Reithuddin Emran and Zainizam Marjan to spearhead their challenge. Reithuddin was one of the two players that could not make the second half last Sunday, but he has been declared fit for today’s tie.
Apart from Reithuddin and Zainizam, they also have the services of former state senior and junior team players such as Razid Gafar, Mohd June Azral Lalah, Billy Doliante, Azrul Ejati Damsah and Jufrey Omopor @ Amopor.
Sabah’s other FAM Cup representatives Sabah KDMM FC are away to UKM FC in Bangi today.
