All horns intact
Rhinos believe they can spoil Jdt’s bid for quadruple
PETALING JAYA: Can Sabah defy the odds and spoil Johor Darul Ta’zim’s (JDT) bid for a quadruple?
Sabah winger Saddil Ramdani believes the door to the Malaysia Cup final is still open as long as the players believe in their own abilities and can execute the tactical game plan of coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee.
The Rhinos have the tough task of trying to erase a one-goal deficit in the Southern Tigers’ den in the return leg semi-final at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri tonight.
At the Likas Stadium last Tuesday, a goal from Arif Aiman Hanapi in the 34th minute separated the two teams.
Sabah even gained an advantage from the 72nd minute when JDT defender Feroz Baharudin was sent off after picking up two yellow cards.
Saddil admitted that they need to learn from their mistakes in that match.
“It is true that we are a little disappointed with the 1-0 loss but the first match was indeed quite tense and intense,’’ said the Indonesian import.
“But all the players have given what the head coach has asked, which is to work hard on the field.
“He has also motivated us to go the extra mile. My hope is we can perform better in the next match and overturn the one-goal deficit.
“I still believe in myself and my friends that we can prevail if we can play at the same pace in Johor and take advantage of the opportunities that come.”
Saddil should be in Kim Swee’s starting line-up after proving his worth in the Malaysia Cup campaign.
He was also a menace to the JDT defence in the first-leg semi-final despite failing to find the back of the net.
Meanwhile, Sabah goalkeeper Damien Lim, who gave an excellent display to prevent a heavier loss to JDT, also hopes they can give their all in the return leg.
“Hopefully at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, we will be able to fight all the way after showing incredible fighting spirit while playing at home.
“We followed the coach’s tactical game plan well but we were unlucky to lose.”
Sabah have yet to lift the Malaysia Cup although they have qualified for the final on three occasions.
Sabah lost 0-3 to MPPJ in their last Malaysia Cup final appearance back in 2003.
The second semi-final fixture tomorrow will see Selangor aiming to keep their 3-0 advantage when they face Super League runner-up Terengganu at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium.