Rhinos seek win against Pahang Kuantan FA
Sabah are eyeing a positive result against Pahang Kuantan FA when they face off at the Darul Makmur Stadium tonight.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah are eyeing a positive result against Pahang Kuantan FA when they face off at the Darul Makmur Stadium tonight.
Playing in their second consecutive away match, the Rhinos are determined to erase a nightmarish start to their campaign when they lost 1-4 to Selangor UiTM FC last Friday.
And head coach Vjeran Simunic hoped that the players have learnt much from the heartbreaking defeat to stage a comeback today.
The Croation coach revealed the squad have watched a video recording of the UiTM match as part of their preparation.
“We have identified the weaknesses and from there try to rectify and improve as a team,” he said yesterday.
Simunic said Sabah were the better team for much of the game against UiTM but for the last 20 minutes when the Rhinos conceded soft goals.
Goalkeeper Mohamad Fadzley took much of the blame but Simunic hinted of retaining Fadzley in between the posts again.
In fact Simunic is likely to retain the same line-up to face Kuantan FA.
“There is no plan to change the goalkeeper or the starting line-up. The only adjustment is to revert to a 4-4-2 formation from 4-2-3-1.
“That said, our aim remains the same where we are going for the full three points,” added the veteran tactician.
Rawilson Batuil and Leopold Alfonso, who were taken off due to injuries in the first match, are also expected to make the squad.
Fadzley is to be protected by Rawilson and Croatian defender Igor Cerina at the heart of the defence and flanked by Alto Linus and captain Julamri Muhd.
Indonesian Dedi Kusnandar, Radzi Md Hussin, Leopold and Maxius Musa will be operating in midfield.
Brazilian playmaker Marco Tulio is set to play further up the pitch supporting striker-in-chief, the Nigerian forward Prince Tochukwu Nnake.
Sabah are second from bottom after round one of the fixtures while eighth placed Kuantan FA are among the teams who drew their first game.
Perlis lead the standings on goal difference following their 6-1 win over the Armed Forces with UiTM FC, DRB-Hicom FC and Kuala Lumpur also making winning starts to the season.