KOTA KINABALU: Sabah head coach Jelius Ating (pic) is likely to put out his best line-up to face Kelantan United in the second round FA Cup tie at Stadium Sultan Mohammad IV, in Kota Bharu, tonight (Wednesday). “We want to progress as far as we can go in the competition so we will treat all the teams the same even though our opponents tomorrow are from the third tier FAM Cup.
“We will not underestimate them because I believe the ball is round and anything can happen, especially in a knockout competition like this, and the home side will also have their import players in the team as well,” he said on Tuesday. He added that a victory is also important for the team to maintain their momentum.
“We do not want our current winning momentum in the Premier League to be affected as we have to face Selangor United in the Premier League three days after the match tomorrow.” He also disclosed that midfielder Sabri Sahar, who sustained a knee injury during the previous match against Penang, will be missing tonight. “Sabri’s injury is quite serious and requires surgery so we may lose him for the rest of the season.
Hopefully he can recover quickly and rejoin the team as soon as possible.” The match tonight will also see the return of South Korean Park Taesu after he served out his one match suspension. The likely starting line-up tonight are Rozaimie Rohim in goal, Rawilson Batuil, Park Taesu, Dendy Lowa and Randy Baruh in defence. Luka Milunovic will operate from the engine room with Azzizan Nordin, supported by Maxsius Musa and Ricco Nigel Milus from the flanks while Carlos Luis Junior and Rodoljub Paunovic will lead the attacks. – GL Oh
