Daunting task awaits Rhinos

Daunting task awaits Rhinos

KOTA KINABALU: Cash-strapped Sabah Rhinos vow to overcome their off-the-field woes by gunning for the points when they take on Felda United FC in a Premier League tie which kicks off at 10pm at the Tun Abdul Razak Stadium in Jengka, Pahang tonight.

The stateside, who are yet to register any win in their last five fixtures, are facing a daunting task against their high-riding opponents in getting the points or a point.

They will be a depleted side, and will take on the league leaders with only two foreign players under their ranks following the Sabah FA’s failure to sign any player to fill in the vacuum left by Koreans duo Lee Gil Hoong and Heo Jaenyeong, who left the team at the end of their contracts on May 17.

The FA is believed to be in financial turmoil, and unless they can solve their financial woes in this short period, the stateside will be playing the remainder of their matches with two imports players.

For the record, the mid-season transfer window, which is ongoing now, will close on June 3. Despite the hiccups, head coach Jelius Ating, remains upbeat on getting the job done, and stunning the leaders at their own turf.

For the record, in their first meeting, they drew one-all at the Likas Stadium on April 14.

“Despite having to play this game with just two import players, it does not mean we can not do well. In fact, this is also an opportunity for the local players to fight for a place in the first team.

“I have confidence in the local players to deliver or at least return with a point. However, we got to admit the fact that this will be one tough game for us, especially when we will only use two import players, but we will try our best to get a good result tomorrow,” said Jelius when contacted yesterday, “I hope that we will be back to full strength by completing our two foreign imports quota for our next game against UKM FC on June 2,” he added.

Jelius hinted that tonight, he is likely to deploy a 4-4-2 formation with Robson Rendy Rinning retained as the No. 1 ball stopper while skipper Rawilson Batuil and Zambian Francis Kasonde will be at the centre of the backline with Randy Baruh on the right and Jenius Karib on the left.

Mafry Balang will be pushed up to play in midfield alongside Mohd Azzizan Nordin.

The duo will orchestrate the engine room with Maxsius Musa and Sabri Sahar on either side of midfield. Pito Ramos is expected to spearhead the attack with the fit-again Rahman Shah Marajeh.

Rozaimi Rohim, Evan Wensley Wenceslaus, Dendy Lowa, Leopold Alfonso Otong, Ummareng Bacok, Ricco Nigel Milus and Harman Peter were also part of the travelling squad.

Sumber: New Sabah Times