Sabah football squad target gold
Sabah have set their eyes on winning the gold medal in the 19th Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Perak later this month.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah have set their eyes on winning the gold medal in the 19th Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Perak later this month.
Team manager Benedict Asmat said the qualities within the squad should provide them with the confidence to aim big as they look to repeat their feat in the 2012 Sukma in Pahang.
He said 20 footballers would carry the state's challenge where five players registered with the State Premier League side including the rapidly improving striker Hamran Peter, who impressed in the on-going Malaysia Cup.
Highly rated defender Evan Wensley Wenceslaus is another notable name in the squad where his form this season puts him in the national under-23 radar.
The other three are goalkeeper Mohd Sakri Masri and midfielders Mohd Aidil Safee and Stanley Sulong who were regular faces with the state Under-21 side.
"We are thankful to Sabah (senior) team manager Datuk Juil Nuatim and head coach Jelius Ating for giving green light to the five to be part of the Sukma squad.
"We need our best available players for Sukma because the competition will certainly be tough and difficult.
"However, we believe in our abilities and our target is to try and win the gold," he said yesterday, while adding they were also looking to at least better their bronze outing in Sarawak Sukma 2016.
Meanwhile, Benedict said regulars Kelvin Pengiran, Muhammad Zaki Safri and Eddey Ladius are recuperating from injuries but he hoped they would have recovered and help the state in their quest for gold.
One player that is certain to miss the group stages is Gerald Gadit who is currently taking part in the national under-19 training camp.
"Hopefully he will be around if we enter the knock-out rounds," added Benedict.
Sabah have been drawn in the three-team Group C where they will face Malacca on September 9 and Penang on September 13.
The two top teams will advance into the quarterfinals.
Sabah created history by winning their first ever Sukma football gold at the 15th edition of the Games hosted by Pahang in 2012, beating Perak 3-1 in the final.
The full squad comrpise Mohd Sakri Masri, Joslan Aping, Ranilson Batuil, Gerald Gadit, Muhammad Nizam Igbal Khan, Kelvin Pengiran, Eddey Ladius, Muhd Zaki Safrit, Mohd Syukri Baharun, Adi Ali, Mohd Azmizan Ruslih, Suhaizan Nazmie Etin @ Abdullah, Mohd Hizaz Mohd Lokman, Ariusdius Jais, Fedric Fadzly Gusmia, Mohd Shariman Mukarim, Evan Wensley Wenceslaus, Hamran Peter, Mohd Aidil Safee and Stanley Sulong.
The officials are team manager Benedict Asmat, head coach Johnny Dominicus, assistant coach Billyton Vun, goalkeeper coach Jasrih Jabidin and physio Maxson Michael George.