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SABAH FC will be taking on Kuala Lumpur FC in an away game tomorrow (Wednesday) night. 

We had shown that we are still a formidable side despite the absence of four key players following the win over Negeri Sembilan FC last Thursday.

We were without Gabriel Pires, Stuart Wilkin, Darren Lok and Saddil Ramdani, who were all nursing injuries for the match.

Although we were made to struggle at times, we still managed to get the job done and grab the all important win to snap our three-match losing streak.

I just hope all the key players have recovered in time for tomorrow’s match. It is important to get the three points away from home.

It won’t be an easy game, but I have confidence that Sabah FC can beat Kuala Lumpur at their home turf.

We have to continue to find the form and keep the team’s winning rhythm going. The real concern for me about this Sabah FC team is the defence.

We looked vulnerable at times without Gabriel Peres. We have to be alert with balls played through our flanks.

We cannot be complacent and must avoid ball watching.

As usual, scoring early in the game will be the right tonic to calm the nerves. I am certain that Datuk Ong Kim Swee has identified the team’s shortcomings and hopefully they are all being rectified in training. 

I also noticed that Sabah FC and Kuala Lumpur FC’s defensive records are not that good with six goals  conceded by both sides after five games played.

Sabah FC have a slightly better scoring record with eight while Kuala Lumpur only managed six, so the strength of both teams are almost at par.

I am sure that the players know the importance of scoring early in a situation like this. I wish them all the best and look forward to the team getting the three points.

On another point, the Olympics Games held in Paris, France have just begun. As I watched the official opening ceremony live on the TV screen, it hit me real hard to have to miss the chance of a lifetime back in 1980.

It was 44 years ago that I was with fellow Sabahans Datuk Hassan Sani and the late Datuk Peter Rajah in our national football team that managed to overcome South Korea to qualify for the Moscow Olympics.

Unfortunately we were unable to make it as Malaysia had boycotted the games after the Russians had just invaded Afghanistan.

It was a dream shattered for all of us as that was the pinnacle of a sportsman’s dream to be able to perform at the highest level at a sporting event, the Olympics.