Several key players to be rested
Published on: Friday, July 19, 2019
By: GL Oh
KOTA KINABALU: Newly crowned Premier League champions Sabah Tambadaus are expected to field several reserves in their final match against Terengganu II at Stadium Nasiruddin Shah on Saturday.
Head coach Jelius Ating (pic), however, played down any suggestion that he is taking the match for granted with the introduction of these players in the starting 11.
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“We have made a decision to start these players and not the usual first team players because of strategies in preparation for the Malaysia Cup.
“We have to look ahead as several of our first choice players are on the verge of getting suspensions if they receive any more yellow cards in this match.
“I understand that any suspensions received from this match will carry to the Cup competition while the yellow cards offences will be wiped off.
“We cannot take the risk as the competition will start in early August and we will be facing much stronger opponents with much bigger squads.
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“Furthermore, a few of them have some minor injuries as well, so it is better to rest them rather than to play them that may result in more serious issues.
“At the same time, the reserves will also get the opportunity to impress us as we need a bigger squad to prepare for the Malaysia Cup,” he said on Thursday.
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Among the players that are likely to be rested are goalkeeper Rozaimie Rohim, Alto Linus, Mohd Azizan Nordin, Jenius Karib and Rodoljub Paunovic.
Paunovic is facing the risk of suspension together with Mafry Balang and Dendy Lowa, while Evan Wensey is suspended for the match.
With their absence, Robson Rendy Rening is set to start in goal with Muhammad Mohd Safar coming in for Evan in defence with skipper Rawilson Batuil, Park Tae Su and Randy Baruh.
Mohd Azwan Abd Fattah will take over Azizan’s place in midfield partnering Ahmet Atayev, Ricco Nigel Milus and Maxsius Musa while Rahman Shah will lead the attacks with Aguinaldo Mendes.
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