Keep up fighting spirit in semi, Safa president tells Rhinos
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Football Association (Safa) president Alijus Sipil has called for the Rhinos to show the same fighting spirit which has served them well in the Malaysia Cup competition.
The Rhinos, despite being the lowest ranked team and not to mention the financial difficulty plaguing the association, proved that with greater commitment and determination nothing was impossible in football.
“I’m very proud of the team,” Alijus said here yesterday.
“We are in the semifinals in our first appearance in seven years in the country’s oldest and most prestigious competition this year.
“Sabah being the only Premier League team left in the competition and beating Super League sides both in the group stages and quarter-finals speak volumes of how much the team has progressed.
“I know it is never an easy task...more so when the association is plagued by financial problem that led to overdue salary payment to the players.
“Despite all these, the players show great professionalism and fighting spirit on the pitch for the sake of Sabah football,” he added.
Alijus, who was elected as Safa president slightly over a month ago, went on to say that the players were well aware of the association’s financial situation and he said efforts were ongoing to find solutions to the problem.
“We have taken several actions including trying to get previously promised sponsorship deals where the amount involved could help settle most of the financial problems faced.
“I hope the matter (promised sponsorship deals) can be resolved very soon and at the same time, we are also hoping for assistance from the state government,” he said.
Having said that, Alijus asked the Rhinos to fully focus on the Malaysia Cup semifinals and let Safa’s administration and management, who were working hard at the moment, to solve the financial problems.
Sabah are to face Perak in the semifinals where the first leg will be played at the Perak Stadium in Ipoh on October 7 and the return leg at the Likas Stadium on October 21.
“The squad under head coach Jelius Ating have done a marvellous job and I believe the momentum will continue in the last four stage.
“I was also impressed by the strong support from the fans who are playing their role as the 12th player efficiently.
“I certainly believe with strong combination from the players, management, fans and the association, Sabah will be Perak’s greatest obstacle,” he said.
For the record, Sabah hold the edge over Perak in their three semifinals meeting in the Malaysia Cup in the new Millennium, winning on aggregate in 2002 and 2003 although losing in their last battle in 2007.