First defeat!

Premier League matches, 11 JAN 2008
*(-) current position

Home	Score	Away
Kuala Muda NAZA	3 - 0	Shahzan Muda
Plus FC	3 - 1	Melaka
PKNS	1 - 2	Felda UTD
Kelantan	2 - 1	Sabah
Johor	2 - 0	Harimau Muda
Kuala Lumpur	4 - 1	ATM

Read More

DRAGO CONFIDENT

KOTA KINABALU: Drago Mamic says he is satisfied with the Rhinos’ performances thus far, reminding his charges to look ahead! The Croatian said as long as they can keep the momentum going it will surely help make their promotion target a genuine thing.

“Now it is important for us to focus on what is ahead of us and to keep trying hard to improve,” said the Rhinos’ head coach.

“I can say that this is the crucial part of the season and it is important for us to keep up the good work that we have done so far,” said Drago, referring to the Rhinos’ two victories and two draws in their first four opening matches of the 2007-2008 season.

“I think we are in a good position now and we must try to maintain it (position) at least until the end of the first round.

At the moment, Drago said no teams in the Premier League dare to claim they have the upper hand as far as gaining promotion to the Super League is concerned.

“From now on it will all be about consistency. In the next several games, we would also know the strengths of each team. But that does not really bother me, because I’m more concerned about our own team and how we perform.

Nevertheless, Drago is happy to note that the team did pretty well despite the fact that they played with only one foreign player in their last three matches.

Sabah have already hired two foreign players in Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Dragic Dalibor and Englishman Jamie Phoenix.

Jamie scored in his Premier League debut in the 4-0 win over Armed Forces in the opener, but was sidelined since then due to injury, while for Dragic he had featured for the Rhinos in the last four games.

“We were playing against teams that played three foreign players and I’m very happy with the boys for being able to handle the pressure.

“Even with one foreign player, I’m proud to note that we have scored six goals and conceded three in our last three outings.

“This shows that our local-based players are up for the challenge and that the presence of the foreign players will only compliment the team.

“As I have said all along, I want a strong base of local players and I’m very glad they have shown me that. And if we have all our foreign players in the fray, I’m pretty sure we will be a stronger side,” said Drago.

However, Drago would have to wait a little longer before he could really parade his best squad this season.

The team are still searching for the third foreign signing, while Jamie has yet to fully recover from injury.

The Albanian striker who was plying his trade in the Croatian League before coming to attend trials with the Rhinos failed to impress Drago.

“I know him. He was a good striker, but some players just could not take it any longer when they are 35 years old.

Drago also admitted that he made a strong recommendation to the team management to sign the Albanian, but had a change of heart after seeing him (the Albanian) in action against the State Reserve League squad.

“When I first saw him playing three years ago, he was a superb striker, but now he seems to be a totally different player,” he said of the Albanian striker.

“I have told him I’m sorry, but you are not up to our requirements.”

Sabah currently occupy third place in the 13-team Premier League standings, two points behind league leaders Johor Pasir Gudang who are on top with 10 points, while Kuala Muda Naza are second on nine points.

Sabah’s next game is an away tie against Kelantan on Friday.

Read More

DUO ON TRIALS

KOTA KINABALU: A Croatian and a Brazilian are the latest foreign hopefuls to attend trials with the Rhinos.

The duo, both strikers, will make their first training appearance with the Rhinos today at the Penampang Stadium (4.30pm).

The Rhinos are currently sitting third in the 13-team Premier League – two points behind league leaders Johor Pasir Gudang.

They are looking for another foreign signing to fill in the last quota after hiring Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Dragic Dalibor and Englishman Jamie Phoenix.

Despite netting a total of 10 goals after four games and conceding only two, the Rhinos are hoping to land a prolific goal-scorer to help realise their target of gaining promotion to the Super League next season.

So far, things are looking pretty encouraging for the Rhinos and keeping the momentum going will surely see them in top flight action next season.

“We started our season quite well thus far and by signing our third foreign player we will hopefully strengthen the squad,” said the Sabah FA Executive Secretary Harry Baking yesterday.

“We will keep searching for the right player for the team in case these two fail to meet our or the team’s requirements,” he added.

Sabah got off to a storming start to the new season by thrashing Armed Forces 4-0 in the opener before trouncing Premier League new boys Proton FC 4-1 in their first home match.

They then held Kuala Lumpur to a one-all draw in an away battle before being held to a draw (1-1) by Johor in the last home game.

Sabah’s next game is away to Kelantan on Jan 11.

Read More

RAHMAN: NO SWEAT!

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah slipped to third in the Premier League standings after the one-all draw against league leaders Johor Pasir Gudang on Friday, but Rahman Zakaria is not a worried man!

While disappointed the team failed to get full points at their own backyard, the Rhinos’ team manager said he was delighted with the fighting spirit shown by the players.

“They never showed any signs of giving up. They fought until the end. This is the kind of fighting spirit we want in the team,” said Rahman.

Sabah were trailing to a third-minute goal by Mohd Ibrahim Ismail, but second-half substitute Salvester Sindeh saved them the blushes by nodding home the equaliser two minutes from time.

“We had enough chances to win the game, but unfortunately, we only managed to put one behind the net.

“We had like six to seven chances with some of them hitting the goalpost and so on, and we also had a penalty wasted and a goal disallowed,” Rahman said, referring to a Bobby Gonzales penalty miss and Azrul Ejati Damsah’s goal which was disallowed.

“I don’t understand why the referee disallowed the goal. First he blew for the goal, but suddenly he changed his mind when he saw the linesman raise his flag. At first even the linesman said it was a goal, and we are surprised he changed his mind.

“After the game we approached the officials and we were told that the goal was disallowed for handball. But when we asked them who the offender was, he (referee) couldn’t give us any name.

“If a Johor player was responsible then it should have been a penalty because Azrul definitely did not commit any foul or handball. We are very disappointed with his decision,” said Rahman.

On Bobby’s penalty miss, Rahman said it could happen to any player.

“It can happen to any player, so really there’s nothing much one can do about it,” he said.

Sabah were rewarded with the spot kick after Chow Chee Wing was fouled inside the box.

“Anyway, I’m still pleased with the way the players took the game. They showed quality and high spirit. It’s just unfortunate that we could not convert the many chances we had,” said Rahman.

With the result, Sabah dropped to third in the standings on eight points, while Johor Pasir Gudang remain at the top on 10, followed by Kuala Muda Naza on nine.

Sabah’s next game is an away battle against Kelantan on Jan 11, before taking on Kuala Muda Naza at home on Jan 14.

Read More

RHINOS GET A POINT

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah were held to a one-all draw by visiting Johor Pasir Gudang in a Premier League tie at the Tawau Sports Complex last night – thanks to an injury time equaliser from second-half substitute Salvester Sindeh.

Johor Pasir Gudang shocked the homesters by taking the lead as early as the third minute through Mohd Ibrahim. Sabah tried hard to look for an equaliser, but none of their attempts found the net, including a spot kick taken by Bobby Gonzales in the 13th minute that went wide.

Sabah were awarded the penalty kick after Chow Chee Wing was fouled inside the box. But as the match headed for a Johor victory, Salvester nodded home the equaliser to the delight of more than 5,000 home fans. Team manager Rahman Zakaria cursed their luck for the draw.

He said: “It was one of those nights where things weren’t right for the team. The boys tried their best and played their hearts out.” “I have no complaints on how we performed tonight because we created chances and just could not finish them off,” he added.

“We dominated the game throughout despite trailing to their early goal. I’m not looking for excuses, but I think the word here is we were just unlucky tonight. “But as much as we wanted to win the match, there was nothing we could do when this happened. So I think we should now look forward. “Furthermore, one point is better than losing the game,” Rahman said.

Read More

THRILLER IN STORE

KOTA KINABALU: The Rhinos will be going into the top of the table clash against Johor Pasir Gudang eyeing nothing less than a victory as they plot to reclaim the pole position.

The match that kicks off at 8.15pm at the Tawau Sports Complex tonight is the Rhinos’ second home game of the season after the 4-1 victory over Proton FC on Dec 28.

The Rhinos are confident of a second victory on home turf that would eventually help move them back to the top spot.

After three games into the new season, Johor Pasir Gudang sit on the top of the 13-team standings after maintaining their 100 per cent record thus far, ahead of the second-placed Rhinos by two points, who were held to a one-all draw by Kuala Lumpur in their last game (away).

But despite the draw against Kuala Lumpur, Rahman Zakaria believes they would be back to winning ways, starting with tonight’s game.

“This will be an important game because it is our first match of the New Year. And it is good to start our New Year challenge on a high as it will give us confidence. So tomorrow (tonight) we will do our utmost best to get full points,” the Rhinos’ team manager said.

“Undoubtedly this is going to be an interesting clash. We know Johor are a good side as their record shows, but we are not afraid, especially when we are playing in our own backyard.

“Here I would like to make a humble call to the fans … for them to come in full force to support the team.

“I also want them to realise that they are one of the key factors to the team’s success. So I hope they will stay and rally behind the team and help make it (Tawau Sports Complex) a place teams fear coming to,” Rahman added.

On a positive note, Rahman pointed out that they will have a full squad for the match, adding that all the players are available for options.

He then hinted that the Rhinos’ head coach Drago Mamic is likely to be sticking to the side that played in the game against Kuala Lumpur.

“I don’t think there’ll be any changes, but before the game, anything can happen. But for this game I’m very sure, he (Drago) will go for a winning formula,” said Rahman.

The other matches of the night will see FELDA United FC taking on KL Plus FC, while Melaka will take on Kuala Muda Naza.

Shahzan Muda will face Kelantan, while Harimau Muda (national Under-19) will be pitted against Kuala Lumpur. The last fixture of the night will see Armed Forces taking on Proton FC.

Read More

Rahman: We’ll bounce back!

KOTA KINABALU: Rahman Zakaria insists that Sabah will be back to winning ways when they kick start their New Year campaign by taking on Johor Pasir Gudang at the Tawau Sports Complex on Friday.

The Rhino’s team manager believes team spirit is still on a high despite a halt to their winning run by Kuala Lumpur in their previous match and he insists that the 1-1 draw is still a positive result as it brought home a precious point from the game at the KLFA Stadium in Cheras.

“We played two away games and a home match so far this season. And winning four points along the road and without slipping any points away from home is not a bad result at all,” said Rahman.

Sabah kicked off their season by thrashing Armed Forces 4-0 in an away battle before trouncing Proton FC 4-1 at home.

They were held to a draw by Kuala Lumpur despite taking the lead through a goal from defender Wong Sai Kong.

“It is a pity that we were unable to win the match. We conceded the equaliser when Kuala Lumpur was playing with 10 men. It was a sloppy goal, but this happens in football.

“In the match (against Kuala Lumpur), we seemed to be over confident when we were leading. But I hope the players will learn from this outing, They mustn’t take thing easy until the battle is won.

“Although it was not our best of games we still managed to dominate play. But I’m just a bit disappointed with our opponent because of their rough tactics. We were just lucky that none of our players got hurt.

Even the referee seemed not to bother too much on the matter except for in one instance where a Kuala Lumpur player got his marching orders,” Rahman said.

“On a positive note, I’m happy to see that the players were able to handle the pressure. This shows that we can compete under any circumstances,” he added.

Rahman believes the team will be stronger when they sign their third foreign signing.

“We are still on the look out, and hopefully we will get our man soon. We are in no hurry though, because we want to make sure that we will sign a quality player that will help strengthened the team especially in the attacking department,” said Rahman dropping a hint that they are looking for a striker.

So far Sabah has signed two foreign players; Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Dragic Dalibor and an Englishman, attacking midfielder Jamie Phoenix.

Jamie scored in his Premier League debut against Armed Forces, but missed the Rhino’s last two matches, due to injury. He is expected to be back against Johor Pasir Gudang.

Sabah was toppled from the top spot in the 13-team standings by Johor who lead the pack on maximum 9 points after three games.

Sabah is in second on seven. Friday’s kick-off is at 8.45pm.

Read More