Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Rhinos will host Sarawak Crocs in the Premier League match for the first Borneo derby between the two neighbouring states since 2013 at the Likas Stadium tonight (Saturday) at 8.15pm.Sarawak won 2-1 in the last encounter at the same venue in 2013 and went on to win the league title that season undefeated.However, Sabah look good to turn the table on their neighbours this time round, having started the season on a bright note with two wins and one draw while Sarawak only managed one win, one draw and one loss with the defeat coming in their last game against Felcra at home.
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The match also saw two of their players detained by MACC on suspicion of match-fixing for six days, and were released on Wednesday.However, despite the good start and home ground advantage, Rhinos head coach Jelius Ating will opt for a new 3-5-2 formation in the clash tonight.
He hopes by strengthening his midfield, it will provide more scoring chances for the team."We will make a tactical change for the match tomorrow night and we will use three players at the back and five in midfield.
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"This is also due to the fact that we have Francis Kasonde back with us in defence and as a result our right back Randy Baruh who is also suffering from some knocks will start on the bench," he said at the team's final training session in UMS on Friday.
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The match tonight will also see Sabah start with their best 11 players with Zambian international Francis teaming up with Mafry Balang and skipper Rawilson Batuil at the back with Rendy Rening in goal.
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The midfield will have the hard working South Korean, Heo Jaenyong, Mohd Azzizan Nordin, Sabri Sahar, Maxsius Musa and Jenius Karib while another Korean Lee Gil Hoon and Hector Omar Ramos will lead the attack up front.
