Rhinos face MOF FC tonight
Going up against a Division 2 team should be a walk in the park as Sabah faces MOF FC in the FA Cup Round 3 match at the Likas Stadium, this evening.
KOTA KINABALU: Going up against a Division 2 team should be a walk in the park as Sabah faces MOF FC in the FA Cup Round 3 match at the Likas Stadium, this evening.
However, the absence of several players means Sabah's advantage as the stronger team has been greatly reduced.
Their long list of injured players means Sabah will only be at half strength the most. And if their record of one win from seven league matches is anything to go by, there really isn't much for any team to fear them at the moment.
In fact they only made it this far in the FA Cup after scrapping through (1-0) against third division side UKM FC, who are regarded by some as a schoolboy team.
Among the challenges Steve Vilmiaire must face is going into the game with a blunt strike force as hit-man Jonathan Behe remains injured.
Others who join him on the list are Azzizan Nordin and Radzi Mohd Hussin. The two are regular starters and their absence will definitely be felt as Vilmiaire contemplates suitable replacements.
Another blow delivered by injury is to the goal line where Robson Rendy Rining is expected to be out for at least three weeks.
The custodian who recently played the role of number one keeper replacing Rozaimie Rohim, had to undergo facial surgery after colliding with a team-mate in the clash against UiTM FC at the Likas Stadium here on February 28.
He suffered a bone fracture just below the eye and could remain off the pitch for a month or longer.
“We still don't know how long Rendy will be out, maybe three weeks or more. Azzizan has actually rejoined the squad and is still in the recovery phase. We hope we will be able to come back in the quarter-final if we make it through,” Vilmiaire said.
The four inured players will likely miss another upcoming match against MISC-MIFA as Sabah resumes its Premier League quest away from home on Wednesday.
“We do not want them to rush back into action and get injured again. Even though they are our main players we must look after them because the season is still long,” Vilmiaire said.
And to make matters worse, Sabah will be facing their opponent with Steve in the stands after he was given the marching orders by the match official in the previous round.
But there are still enough players for Sabah to put on a fight and they definitely need to make it count tonight following their poor performance in the league recently.
For the record, MOF made it through to the third round after thrashing Sabah KDMM FC 4-0 in at the Likas Stadium on February 15.
But KDMM FC held the same opponent to a scoreless draw in the FAM Cup League game at the Keningau Stadium last week.