Sabah ready for Youth Cup ac on
Sabah Under-19 squad are ready to face the Youth Cup 2018 campaign.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Under-19 squad are ready to face the Youth Cup 2018 campaign.
Head coach Mohd Aiyyman Johny Abdullah said the state juniors would kick off the new season away to Felda United FC on February 25.
“It’s one week before the season kicks off and overall, we are ready for it,” said Mohd Aiyyman when contacted here yesterday.
He said the squad did well in the pre-season where they registered victories in various friendly matches.
In term of fitness, he said the players too are reaching the desired level for the season opener as well as the rest of the fixtures.
“Apart from the (0-3) defeat to the President Cup side, we won most of our games. But, more importantly is that the players are progressing well as a team.
“Overall I’m happy with the squad and we have already identified the players that will form the core of the team,” he added.
Having said that, Aiyyman revealed the one-week prior to the kick-off will be fully utilised to polish their tactics, to enhance their preparation as well as to further improve the squad.
“We will focus on the tactical aspect of the squad especially at the back-line so we will be more organised when on defensive mode.
“Apart from that, we will also work on the team finishing. These are the two things that we will focus on this week,” he said.
For the record, Sabah have been drawn in Group A of the Youth Cup league along with Felda United FC, Selangor, Terengganu FC IV, Kuala Lumpur, Pulau Pinang, PKNP FC, Pahang, PKNS F SSBJ B-16 and SSMP-AMD Cougars U-16.
Group B comprise Perak, Kedah, Sarawak, SSTMI B-17, Kelantan, UiTM FC, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Johor Darul Ta’zim IV, Perlis and SSMPAMD Panthers U-16.
After the completion of the league competition, the top four teams from each group will advance into the quarterfinals.
And former state footballer Aiyyman hoped Sabah would start on a positive note come Sunday so as to build a strong foundation towards getting into the knock-out rounds.
“The first game is always important. A victory is a must because of the confidence that it will bring to the squad to face the season.
“We will do our utmost best to achieve a positive start to the new season,” said Aiyyman who has coached Cebagoo FC in the FAM Cup as well as being the assistant coach of the national women’s football squad.
Team manager Azman Mastar had said earlier this month that the new-look Sabah under-19 squad, who only have the services of five players from last season, will be aiming to qualify for the quarterfinals.