Rhinos line-up to focus on performance, not seniority
Performance rather than seniority will be of utmost importance when it comes to selec ng the Rhinos’ first 11, said head coach Jelius A ng.
KOTA KINABALU: Performance rather than seniority will be of utmost importance when it comes to selecting the Rhinos’ first 11, said head coach Jelius Ating.
Jelius made the remark after watching the Rhinos register a 3-1 win against Barracuda FC Keningau on Sunday, adding that every player has an equal chance to make his first 11, but they would first have to show good form to earn their places.
This will apply to both the senior and junior team members, he stressed.
“As the team coach, the terms senior or junior (footballers) do not exist in my dictionary. If a player can show good performance that merits a place in the first 11, then he will earn his starting berth.
“We want to be fair to all the players, and that is why I gave everyone the chance to play in the friendlies...we will make the decision based on performance rather than seniority,” Jelius added.
The head coach’s words were justified when he fielded mostly young players against Barracuda FC and saw them triumph, which was the Rhinos’ second friendly match in Keningau after having edged LBR Keningau 3-0 in the first game.
Jelius said he was happy with how the younger footballers fared in the second game.
“I have faith in the youngsters that they too are capable of playing. At the same time, it was one way to motivate them.
“They did not disappoint, showing determination and commitment in their displays. They showed us quality that the team can depend on.
“Hopefully, the younger players will continue to improve and learn from their more experienced teammates as well as pick up quickly from what we (coaches) are coaching them,” he added.
Meanwhile, Jelius said the two friendly matches in Keningau had been worth it, despite the fact that their opponents were not up to the level of the state senior team, as the matches had allowed them to identify weaknesses in the team and find ways to rectify them.
“It was also an opportunity to see how far the team had progressed in terms of fitness, combination or play styles.
“We (the Rhinos) must strive to improve in the quality and standard of our plays,” Jelius admitted.
Jelius must be praying hard that the plan to arrange pre-season friendly matches in Singapore (two games) and another one in Malacca, expected in the middle of January, would materialise.
The Rhinos are in need of quality matches against tougher opponents as they prepare for the Malaysian League 2018 where they will have the Premier League, the FA Cup and possibly the Malaysia Cup to play for.
The new season is expected to kick off next month.