Sabah U-19 need to tighten defence, launch counter-attack against AMD
KOTA KINABALU: Billyton Vun Kit Ming wants the lines kept tight when Sabah face the Mokhtar Dahari Academy (AMD) Pahang in the Youth Cup League Group B away match today.
At the same time, the Sabah Under-19 squad head hoped the strikers would deliver some goals.
“We played three matches so far. We learnt a thing or two from those games and I hope the players would adapt those lessons and improve their game.
“Although AMD are a young squad (under-16), they are national reserve players that have been given good exposure and guidance. We have to play well to try and steal a point from this encounter,” Billyton said when contacted here, yesterday.
Two defeats and one win from three games saw Sabah concede eight goals and score only three.
They lost 3-1 away to Johor Darul Ta'zim IV in their first match before beating Negeri Sembilan 2-1. Later they lost 4-0 at the hands of Kedah in front of home supporters at the Penampang Stadium.
Today Billyton contemplates making tactical changes to tighten the defence while using counter-attack to try and net some goals.
“This is likely the tactic we will use because we know AMD have quality players that were selected from all over the country. They will also be better prepared than us.
“We have to focus otherwise we will be punished…like when we conceded three goals in 14 minutes,” he said.
Billyton is also planning to make changes to the line-up.
Keeper Azlizan Azlan and defender Fyellonarllye Mcaxora Jappri along with midfielder Johan Masor and Mohammad Nazemizan Naslon will be coming off the bench to feature in the first-11.
Others like Mohd Faqrul Idris, Mohd Farhan Airil Aziz, Seherry Aladin (defenders), Xsevier Xcico Ferlex, Radzee Eqmal Ramli, Mohamad Sahrian Saidin and Ahmad Irwanto Rusli (midfielders) retain their places in the lineup.