Junior Rhinos face SSTMI in Youth Cup League today

KOTA KINABALU: The State football junior squad takes on Group B rivals SSTMI in the Youth Cup League competition which resumes today after a lengthy break.

The match kicks off at 4.15pm and the host team will need plenty of fan support to see them through this tough encounter at the Penampang Stadium.

The junior Rhinos look like they are the better side on paper. They are third in the nine-team standings, while their under-16 opponents are two places below in fifth spot.

But with only one point behind, the visitors pose a solid threat to the Rhinos who are currently on 19 points from five wins, four draws and three defeats.

SSTMI have an equal number of defeats and wins after playing 12 games so far this season.

Meanwhile, team manager, Mohd Yassin Aman urged his side to stay cautious as they set their sights on victory.

“SSTMI are strong and they have lots of talented players so we cannot underestimate them or we risk being punished.

“We have prepared well during the month-long break... we won several friendly matches against local sides and we feel good about going into this one,” he said when contacted yesterday.

A win will put Sabah four points behind group leaders KL Felda United FC who are facing Perlis in an away game also today. For the record Sabah and SSTMI have one game in hand while the top two teams have played 13.

Kuala Lumpur, on 23 points, are second in the standings, while Selangor are (fourth) behind Sabah but are also on 19 points from 13 matches.

It could be a bountiful day for Yassin and his boys and a solid crowd will definitely give them the edge to try and bag the points.