Rhinos aims for solid season opener
Published on: Friday, February 12, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Rhinos is hoping for a solid start in the 2016 Premier League season opener against Selangor UiTM FC at the UiTM Stadium today starting at 4.45pm.Head coach Vjeran Simunic who was drafted in to guide the team more than two months ago said after the team's final training session at the Likas Stadium on Wednesday that his team will be searching for points."We are going into unknown territory on Friday because they (UiTM) are also practically a new team with new players plus we are also in disadvantage with two opening away matches.ADVERTISEMENT "But it's ok, we need to accept that and what I want the players to do is to concentrate on their own game and try to get revenge on the team that beat them twice in the league last season (Sabah Rhinos lost 2-1 away and 3-2 at home last season)."Points is very important to us to start our season. We need as many points as possible for a start and after four or five games then I can see how our team stand against the other teams."The Croatian said he is also a bit wary of the extreme heat in the afternoon match as well as the new ball going to be used in the match."What I heard from sources that the away loss suffered by the team last year was partly due to the heat in the stadium where the import players were unable to cope and I hope with the training that I have given to the players for the last month or so, the team can overcome that this time .ADVERTISEMENT "Another concern for me is the new ball to be used this season. We are only able to train with it for the first time tomorrow and I hope it will not make much difference to the players during the match."There is no major injury worries for the coach apart from Dendy Lowa who has a swollen ankle.
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Nigerian import Prince Nnake is set to start as lone striker on the coach preferred 4-2-3-1 formation. Brazilian Marco Tulio Lopes will play as second striker with the speedy Maxsius Musa and Leopold Alfonso giving support from both wings.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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Indonesian Dedi Kusnandar will man the engine room with Radzi Hussin in defensive midfield role while Croatian import Igor Cerina, Rawilson Batuil, Julamri Muhammad and Alto Linus will form the defensive line with new goalkeeper Fadzley Rahim.The team will remain in the Peninsula after the match to prepare for their next game against Pahang Kuantan FA at the Stadium Darul Makmur on Monday (Feb 15).