Coach expects further improvement from junior Rhinos

KOTA KINABALU: There is certainly room for improvement for the junior Rhinos as preparations continue for the President Cup 2018 campaign.

While encouraged by the performance of the squad at the just concluded SAFA Beaufort Quadrangular Football Tournament where they emerged as champions, Johnny Dominicus hoped the team would not get carried away.

The head coach said the team have reached more or less80 per cent in terms of progress and tactical play and he believed more friendly matches could see the team improved further.

“We can see the progress especially against the under-19 (Youth Cup) side...they gave us a good fight.

“Of course we still need more matches and hopefully we can face stronger teams to enable usto see the real picture,” he said while adding he had more or less identified the players that wouldform his preferred starting eleven

The junior Rhinos (Under-21) won the tournament after beating hosts Beaufort Selection 2-0, Kuala Penyu Selection 9-0 and Youth Cup squad 3-0.

“They followed what they were asked to do and executed well. We have no problem in the defence and midfield areas but we can still improve on our finishing.

“The players were good in Beaufort but could be better with the many chances created,” he said yesterday.

Meanwhile, the junior Rhinos will again take on Kuala Penyu Selection on Thursday and Johnny hoped that the opposing team would provide a tougher competition this time around.