U-19 squad look to bounce back against Felda United
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah look to get themselves back on track when they host Felda United FC in the Youth Cup League Group A match at the Penampang Stadium, late this afternoon (4.15pm).
The State under-19 football squad have slipped to fifth spot in the 11team standings. At one point during a run of wins they were second behind Terengganu FC IV, who currently still top the standings on 26 points.
Defeat at the start of their second round fixtures saw Sabah slip out of the top four but team manager Azman Mastar believes today is the chance to bounce back.
"The chance to get back into the top four is still open and rivalry among the top six teams is very intense. Aside from Terengganu FC IV with their six point lead at the top, the other five teams are separated by only one to four points.
"If we want a spot in the top four it is very important that we win," he said when contacted here yesterday.
Only the top four teams will make it to the quarterfinals and Sabah are currently still in the chase with just one point/spot off of Kuala Lumpur who are fourth on 19 points.
Below Sabah in sixth spot are MSSPAMD Cougars U16 (16 points).
Further down the standings are Pahang in seventh (11 points), Penang in eighth (also 11 points) and Felda in ninth (on 9 points), while Selangor (9 points) and BJSS U16 (7 points) are the bottom two.
On paper, Azman knows Sabah have the advantage. He hoped his charges would also capitalise on the home ground support to rally victory over Felda.
"We have the advantage, we are higher in the standings and we are playing at home. We also beat them (2-1) in their own backyard in the first round.
"Nonetheless, we need to give our best effort to ensure we do not slip up. The players are ready and victory will be the best way to bounce back from the 1-0 defeat to Perak PKNP before this," he said.