Rhinos coach still optimistic despite Penang draw
KOTA KINABALU: Jelius Ating preferred to look at the positive side of things after the Rhinos dropped two points at home in their Premier League tie against Penang on Wednesday.
The state senior squad head coach said points shared was still better than a defeat and, more importantly, Sabah remained on track to achieve one of their targets which was to qualify for the Malaysia Cup.
Apart from that, he said he was also pleased with how the players fought hard in their pursuit of the three points against Penang at the Likas Stadium despite the numerous problems facing the team.
Jelius did not eloborate on the problems faced but it could have stemmed from the resignations of top leaderships within the Sabah Football Association (Safa).
“As we are all aware, the association is still unstable following the resignation of its leadership and I admit it also affects the players.
“That was why I was impressed with the players...the spirit they showed, the determination to win was there despite the problems faced.
“We were unlucky that we did not get the maximum points. The chances we had in the first half could have won us the match on any other given day,” he said when met after the match.
Despite the scoreless draw, the Rhinos moved up to fourth in the 11-team league on 25 points, edging PDRM who have also accumulated similar points on superior goals difference.
Felda United FC, the newly crowned Premier League champions, were on top at 41 points, followed by Felcra United on 31 points and Misc-Mifa on 26 points.
Meanwhile, Jelius said the target of making a return to the Malaysia Cup competition was on track and now the squad must get as many points as possible from the two remaining games to secure the berth.
“We have not qualified for the Malaysia Cup for the past five or six editions and hopefully we will be able to end the drought.
“Since being appointed to coach the team in the middle of last year, Sabah have shown improvement and this year we have several players called to the national teams.
“Two of our players (goalkeeper Rendy Robson Rining and stiker Hector Ramos) have won the Player-of-the-Month awards.
“Now if we can qualify for the Malaysia Cup, it will be another positive achievement from the team,” he said.
Having said that, Jelius insisted he would prefer that Sabah cement their Malaysia Cup place by finishing in a higher league position.
“If we can qualify in third or second place, why not...now we must try to win as many points in the remaining matches and look where it will take us to,” he added.
The Malaysia Cup is to be competed by 11 teams from the Super League and another five from Premier League, although feeder clubs such as JDT II and Terengganu FC II are not eligible even if they qualify.
The Rhinos will take on Felcra FC in their penultimate league fixture at the Likas Stadium on July 22.