Junior Rhinos target last home game win
Sabah will go all out to claim a victory as they look to provide the home fans something to cheer on in what has been a poor President Cup 2017 campaign.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will go all out to claim a victory as they look to provide the home fans something to cheer on in what has been a poor President Cup 2017 campaign.
The junior Rhinos will take on Group B rivals PKNS FC at the Likas Stadium here today.
The match will be Sabah’s last home fixture before concluding their season away to PKNP FC on July 31.
“Although we are no longer in contention for the quarter-final, we want to sign off with at least a win in our last home game of the season,” assistant coach Johnny Dominicus said yesterday.
“The game will also be important for some of the players who are still eligible for the (under-21) league next season.
“They will be playing for their future and more importantly for the state so they must show (their true quality) to the fans and coaches,” he added.
Meanwhile, Hamran Peter will be the most notable absentee from the match day squad after the young striker was called up to join the senior Rhinos for their upcoming Premier League fixtures.
Johnny said Masran Masri will be making a return in between the posts after being benched in the last four games.
The four-man defence will include Ranilson Batuil, Dexy Mildy Juanis, Shazrin Sidin and Muhammad Zaki Sapri and the midfielders are Eddy Ladius, Devid Ansarui, Azmizan Ruslih and Stanley Sulong.
Fazriel Hanafi Stepanus and Fazile Jamileh will start up front for the Junior Rhinos.
“However this is only a probable line-up...there will be changes if our players are needed by the senior team,” said Johnny.
Sabah are ninth in the 10team Group B having collected only 11 points from 16 matches (two wins, five draws, nine losses).
The opponents, whom Sabah held 1-1 in the first round with a goal from Fazriel, are fifth on 24 points having won five, drawn five and lost four times.
Unlike the junior Rhinos, visiting side PKNS are still in the quarterfinal race but they must win today to keep their chances brighter for a top four finish.