Sabah women footballers take on Melaka in s-finals
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah women football team’s run into the semifinals of the 31st Tun Sharifah Rodziah Cup did not go unnoticed.
Eleven first team players in the current state women squad have been named in the national team under head coach Jacob Joseph.
And 10 of those selected are Sabahans, namely goalkeeper Asma Junaidi, Eslilah Esar, Yasrikallaura Tumas, Monika Patris Semudin, Salisa Thomas, Murhalizah Ahmad, Haindee Mosroh, Jaciah Jumilis, Usliza Usman and Shereillynn Elly Pius.
The other player is Puteri Noralisa Wilkinson who is from Pahang but donning the State colours in the Tun Sharifah Rodziah Cup
Sabah women head coach Mohd Aiyyman Shah Johny Abdullah, who is a former assistant coach for the national women squad, confirmed the names when met during the team’s training session here yesterday.
All the selected players have played crucial roles in guiding Sabah to the semifinals of the country’s premier women’s football tournament.
Meanwhile, Sabah Football Association (Safa) assistant secretary general I Reggie Sua @ Hafiz believed the state squad had what it takes to make all the way to the final.
Sabah, who finished third in the eighth-team league with five wins one draw and one defeat, will meet second-placed Melaka in the semifinals.
“Although the team faced numerous disadvantages and hardships they showed great determination to make it into the semifinals.
“The team will take on Melaka who are strengthened by seven Sabah-born footballers. So, it will be like Sabah versus Sabah in the semifinals.
“The league game between the teams ended 1-1 but we will be ready for the semifinals. Hopefully, we would go all the way into the final and win the title,” he said while adding Aiyyman and assistant coach Beatrice Yaw are doing their best to prepare the squad.
Reggie, who visited the team yesterday, also said that there would be bonusses for both - if they make the final and become champions.
The semifinals will be played on December 8 and the final on December 9 at the Mokhtar Dahari Football Academy in Gambang, Pahang.
For the record, Sabah are the 11-time champions of the tournament where the last title was achieved in 2004.
Reggie called on generous sponsors from the private sectors for help to lessen the burden of sending the squad to the final week of tournament.
He said Sabah needed bigger amount of expenses when travelling for away matches and with Safa currently facing financial constraints, he hoped that there would be generous sponsors coming forward to help the squad.