Kota Kinabalu: The return of striker Zul Manshah Aling raises the hopes of the Sabah President Cup squad as they take on PDRM at the Likas Stadium today (Thursday).The team netted three goals in the last home match against Kedah but failed to find the target in the following match against Kuala Lumpur last week and the result has dented the team's hopes of a quarterfinal berth with their current 10th position in the league table.
The team seriously lacked the teeth up front and has lost five games and drawn 11 this season despite being in a commanding position and the coaches will be right in pinning their hopes on the 21-year-old to push them closer to the top eight position.
The other players must also work harder together as a team and show that they really want to make it to the knockout rounds.
There is only so much a coach can do if the players themselves do not show any desire to try to get all three points on the pitch.
Increased possession statistic did not matter, as the team relied too heavily on Sabri Sahar to create magic all on his own and his contribution is always wasted by the frontline.
The team needs to make home ground advantage count and there should not be any more slip-ups with only 12 matches left to play before the end of the preliminary round.
Another positive news for the team is the availability of striker Hafizan Jahar after serving his two-match suspension and he and Zul Manshah are likely to start in today's game replacing the misfiring Rexjeson Pitrus and Eyo Mathew.
Sabri who was having a slight injury problem in the previous match may still start the game with the fast improving Jenius Jarib in the centre of midfield while Umareng Bacok and Anwari Tajuddin will occupy the wings.
There are unlikely to be any change in the defence with Dendy Lowa as the left back, Shazree Ruhip on the right while the centre backs are Rawilson Batuil and Jenius Jarib with Robson Rendy Rening returns in goal.
