Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah FC Under-23 team is well prepared for the opening match against JDT FC at Stadium Johor Bahru next Monday (May 20), said team manager Datuk Abdul Kassim Razali.
Abdul Kassim said he was impressed with the team’s preparations for the new campaign with the players being able to gel together.
“The hard work by the team will go a long way in our mission to try win the Championship this season,” he said after witnessing his team demolish Sandakan FC 4-0 in a friendly match in Sandakan.
Abdul Kassim said to win matches, teams much be able to score goals and defence well, among others.
“The friendly against Sandakan FC showed that we can score and not leak in any goals,” he said, adding that he was impressed with former national player, Rozaimi Rahman who scored a hat-trick in the win over Sandakan FC.
Abdul Kassim said there were some criticisms that Sabah FC should not have signed Rozaimi and his place should have been given to another Under-23 player.
“However, since joining the Under-23 team, Rozaimi had shown his capabilities. He is an experienced player where many of the younger team-mates look up to for guidance. His experience in big matches before will also ensure the team does not crumble when behind in a game,” he said.
He said Rozaimi’s hat-trick showed that he still has the killer instinct to finish off a game.
“Overall, the whole team, goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders and strikers played well. I hope that the team would maintain the momentum, starting with the opening match against JDT.
“Although we may be playing away, I have confident we can give JDT a run for their money and snatch all three points,” he said, adding that the friendly match in Sandakan was watched by some 4,000 fans.
“I was shocked to see the big number of fans coming out to support both teams. It shows that football is still the number one sport in the State.
Hopefully, when we play our home matches later during the campaign, fans would come out in big numbers,” he said.
Abdul Kassim urged his players to stay focused as it would be a long campaign.
“Let’s us get the job done and always be prepared physically and mentally,” he said in his advice to his Under-23 charges.
