Stake high for Sabah in Pahang match
Sabah will be going all out for victory when they entertain Pahang in the Youth Cup League Group A football match at the Penampang Stadium late this a ernoon.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will be going all out for victory when they entertain Pahang in the Youth Cup League Group A football match at the Penampang Stadium late this afternoon.
The match which kicks off at 4.15pm has significant importance for Azman Mastar's boys. They must try to win and keep their hopes alive of reaching the quarterfinals.
And with only two points separating them from their opponent, Sabah cannot afford not to win the match in order to stay in the running for a top-four finish in this group challenge.
The Sabah squad, coached by Mohd Aiyyman Shah Johnny Abdullah, are currently fourth in the 10-team standings. They are on 19 points while Pahang have 17 in sixth spot.
Coming up on both teams are Penang who just collected their 17th point. They sit between Sabah and Pahang in fifth place while Kuala Lumpur and Selangor each have 16 points in seventh and eighth spots.
"Only a win will help improve our chances of advancing through. Even a draw is not good enough... there is only one or two points separating all the teams.
"We need to win and I am confident in the ability of the team and players. If they can all give their best effort then surely we can win," Azman said when contacted here yesterday.
According to him, the team have made solid preparation to ensure they are in the best form to try and win the game.
"We will do everything to ensure that the team are on the right track for the quarterfinals, and that means to try and finish in the top four.
"All the players are in top shape and I hope the month-long break did not jeopardise their momentum before this," said Azman.
For the record, Sabah managed to hold Pahang to a 1-1 draw in the first round match last April.