Room for improvement

KOTA KINABALU: Second-half substitute Azrul Ejati Damsah levelled the score for the Rhinos to salvage a 1-1 draw against DPMM of Brunei in the Sabah FA’s Triangular Football Tournament that ended at the Tawau Sports Complex field on Tuesday.

With this result both teams were declared joint champions as they were on level terms with four points each.

In the opener, Sabah blanked Persiba of Balik Papan 2-0, while DPMM scored a 3-1 victory over the Kalimantan outfit.

However, the match (DPMM-Persiba) was only played for the first 45 minutes due to a thunderstorm.

“It was a good two matches for the team,” said Rahman Zakaria.

“Overall, we are happy with the way they approached these matches. But there is certainly room for improvement,” the Rhinos team manager added.

“We have got about three weeks left to prepare, and I believe we will be prepared and ready to face Armed Forces in the opener of the Premier League on December 17 in an away battle.

“Now our only task left is to find that final jigsaw, which is to look for a foreign striker,” said Rahman.

Currently, they are two Nigerians on trial with the team, but Rahman said they still need to have a good look at them before a decision is made.

At the same time, he added that they are also expecting a few more foreign strikers for trials. A top Croatian striker was supposed to have agreed to come and sign for Sabah without attending trials. But his current club refused that.

Assistant Minister of Rural Development Datuk Taufiq Abu Bakar Titingan and Sabah FA Deputy President Datuk Lawrence Gimbang were there to present the prizes to the winners.

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JAMIE DELIVERS FOR RHINOS

KOTA KINABALU: Englishman Jamie Anthony Lawrence Phoenix guided the Rhinos to a 2-0 victory over Persiba in the opener of the Sabah FA Triangular Tournament at the Tawau Sports Complex on Sunday.

The former England Under-17 player scored a brace, netting one goal in each half before being replaced late in the game to receive five stitches on his ear after a clash with a Persiba player.

Jamie drew first blood with his 41st minute strike before adding his second in the 65th minute.

Rahman Zakaria said that it was quite a convincing show from the Rhinos throughout the match.

“I’m happy with the way we approached the game,” the Rhinos’ team manager commented.

“The team seemed to be getting better. Our momentum was also there and the same for the combination among the players.

“Nevertheless, overall, we still need to improve on certain aspects of the game.

“I’m delighted to see that we managed to create a lot of chances. Although we only managed to put two behind the net, but this is an encouraging development from the team,” he added.

Sabah started the game with three foreign players with Bosnia-Herzegovina Dragic Dalibor marshalling the Rhinos’ backline alongside skipper Rosdin Wasli, Wong Sai Kong on the right and Munir Amran on the left.

Nafuzi Zain orchestrated the midfield together with Jamie, Zulamri Amri Muhammad and Eddie Gapil, while Nigerian striker, Andrew Amakuro, currently on trials with the team started in attack alongside Zainizam Marjan.

According to Rahman, Chow Chee Wing, Azrul Ejati Damsah, Hardy Charles Parsi and another Nigerian striker Gabriel also featured in the game as second-half substitutes.

“Overall, it was quite a competitive game because we played a side that paraded five foreign players,” Rahman said of Persiba, who interestingly is coached by former Sabah coach Peter Butler.

Persiba also paraded ex-Rhino striker Julio Cesar Rodrigues. However, another ex-Rhino Robbie Gaspar did not feature for the team, as he is seeking treatment back in his homeland Australia.

Tonight, Sabah will take on DPMM of Brunei to conclude the tournament.

Rahman said the head coach Drago Mamic is likely to make a minor reshuffle with Jamie likely to sit out the match due to his injury.

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SHOW MUST GO ON

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah FA’s planned Quadrangular Football Tournament is now a Triangular affair.

Its Executive Secretary Harry Baking said that the championship will be a three-team affair with a team each from Brunei, Indonesia as well as Sabah. DPMM of Brunei and Persiba of Balik Papan will be the two visiting teams after Persibom from the Sulawasi opted out due to time constraint.

Harry also confirmed that the tournament will be held from November 25 to 27 at the Tawau Sports Complex. “Actually it would be great if it is a four-team tournament, but time is limited especially for the teams from Indonesia. “For instance, Persiba will be heading home on Nov 27 as they have a game on Dec 1 back home.

“Nevertheless, we firmly believe that this will still be positive warm-up matches for the Rhinos ahead of the Premier League kick-off on Dec 17. “We are thankful to the two teams for coming and hopefully this will be a good trip for them too.

Sabah will take on Persiba in the opening match on Nov 25 with the kick off set at 7.30pm. The second match will see Persiba taking on DPMM (Nov 26) before Sabah and DPMM conclude the tournament on Nov 27. Tickets are priced at RM10 and RM5 for all these matches.

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QUADRANGULAR TOURNAMENT ON

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah FA is going ahead with its plan to organise the Quadrangular Tournament.

Its Executive Secretary Harry Baking said that so far three teams have confirmed their participation, including the Rhinos.

The other two teams are Super League outfit DPMM of Brunei and Persiba from Balik Papan.

“We are now waiting for confirmation from another club from Indonesia,” said Harry, referring to Persibom – a Sulawasi North outfit.

Harry said that he is expecting to get confirmation by next week.

He then pointed out that the tentative date for the tournament is from Nov 25 to Nov 30 at the Tawau Sports Complex.

On the format of the competition, Harry said that it will be discussed during the managers’ meeting.

Harry said this tournament is part of the Rhinos’ preparations ahead of the new season that kicks off next month.

The Rhinos will kick start their Premier League challenge by playing away to Armed Forces on Dec 17.

On another development, Harry revealed that they are expecting the Croatian striker to arrive next week.

“We are expecting him to be here on Wednesday,” said Harry.

With the arrival of the Croatian, Sabah’s search for foreign players would be over.

They already have the services of Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Dragic Dalibor.

Besides the Croatian, they are also set to sign an Englishman – Jamie Phoenix – a striker, who can also play as an attacking midfielder.

Harry said that Jamie had verbally agreed to terms and conditions of the contract that has been offered to him.

However, Harry said that Jamie is back in England to attend to a personal matter before returning to Sabah on Nov 21, which will be on time for the Quadrangular Tournament.

Interestingly, the Quadrangular Tournament will see Sabah parade its full squad with the arrival of the Croatian and the Englishman.

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THRASHING OUT A DEAL

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah FA is close to getting the signature of an ex England Under-17 player.

They are currently in talks with the said player and at press time nothing has been finalised as both parties are still in the midst of negotiating a deal.

Jamie Phoenix, 23, arrived in the State for trials about 10 days ago and had played in three friendly matches with the Rhinos. And during these trials, Jamie, who also had a stint with Bolton Wanderers in the English Premiership, impressed the FA Selectors including its head coach Drago Mamic.

The FA Executive Secretary Harry Baking confirmed to the New Sabah Times Sports yesterday that negotiations are still ongoing with Jamie. But it is going to take sometime before everything is finalised as Jamie has told the FA that he needs to go back home to England as he has personal matters to attend to. He is expected to leave today with the FA providing the air tickets.

If the deal is through, then the Rhinos can finally end their search for a foreign player as they have already hired a Bosnian-Herzegovina defender, Dragic Dalibor. Another is expected, a Croatian striker, whose identity is still being withheld until his imminent arrival, which is expected to be at the end of this month.

Jamie meanwhile, can play as a striker or an attacking midfielder. He joined the Manchester City Youth team from 1994-1998 before signing for Bolton Wanderers in 1998-2000. He played for a few lower division clubs in England, among them Nantwitch Town, Altricham and Stafford Rangers, FC United being the last before venturing into ‘greener’ pastures like playing for Dong Tap in the Vietnam Premier League before coming to Sabah.

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PREPARATIONS ON SCHEDULE

KOTA KINABALU: Drago Mamic is satisfied with the team’s progress in their preparations ahead of the new season that kicks off next month.

The Rhinos’ head coach has no complaints whatsoever in their build up to the new season, pointing out that their preparations have been going on smoothly.

And what delights him most is that he has been getting undivided support from all parties, right from the top level officials to the players.

And this has made the Croatian optimistic about the team’s chances in the new season.

“This year, I have been getting very good support right from the team management to the players. Every one has been helping and showing their support towards our preparations … the President, the managers – Firdaus (Anifah Datuk Aman), Rahman (Zakaria) – my assistant coaches Khairul (Azman Mohd), Bob (Burhan Ajui) and Paing (Henry Soimpon). They have been giving me a big helping hand.

“The players have also shown a positive attitude and have been working really hard. I must thank all of them for the trust and support they have given me.

“In fact all this has prompted me to be very optimistic and have confidence in the team. With this kind of support, I firmly believe we can achieve something if we work together as a big family, like what is happening now.

“I can feel that we are breathing the same air and working towards realising the same dreams. I’m very satisfied with what has been happening, surrounding the team because once this is happening to the team it will only help us to become a better squad,” Drago said.

He then insisted that they have a better chance (compared to last season) of gaining promotion into the Super League.

“We have a better chance to get promoted this time around. But having said so, I cannot guarantee that we will surely gain promotion because we don’t know how the other teams have progressed. We don’t know their strength because in the new season, it will be different.

“But as long as we can show progress, I firmly believe that we have a squad that is good enough for the challenge.

“With no disrespect to the players … last season I can say that I had a squad of 12 players, but this time I have about 17-18 players who are ready for the job and I’m very happy with what I have now.

“I could say that we have a very interesting team here, but we must pay attention not to make silly mistakes as it could cost us our game.

With the league going to be less hectic compared to last year after the FA of Malaysia decided to play the Malaysia Cup after the completion of League matches and the FA Cup, Drago has quietly set his sights on helping the Rhinos end their title drought.

For the record, it has been more than a decade since the Rhinos last won any major honour in the M-League. The last time was in 1996 when they emerged the Premier I champions, now known as the Super League.

Commenting on the Rhinos’ recent friendly against Tawau Selection, Drago said: “It was a good trip for the team.

“It was a good game. We were playing under good conditions, on a good pitch and overall I’m happy with the trip.

“We played really well and although our opponents were not very strong, still it was a good show from the players.

“They played at the highest level and managed 20 passes at one time and I can see that the team is getting better and better.

“Nevertheless, we still need to improve in training, especially in possession of the ball because this will be a dangerous weapon.

“Once we can take possession in a game, it would be easy for us to dominate any game. It would also brighten our chances of winning the game.

“Overall, I’m happy with the way we play, but I must remind the players that they have to keep on improving as by doing this it will help the team progress.

Drago also said that at the moment they are 95 per cent ready for the new season.

“I have to slow down a little because the League only kicks off next month. We need to peak at the right time,” said Drago, before declaring that they will be in top gear when they kick start their season up against Armed Forces in an away battle on December 17.

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Croatian striker set to join Rhinos

KOTA KINABALU: A Croatian striker is almost certain to don the Rhinos colours for the new season.

He is likely to be the second foreign player to sign for the team after Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Dragic Dalibor.

The striker in question is personally recommended by his countryman, Drago Mamic who is the Rhinos’ head coach.

The New Sabah Times Sport was told that Drago has been given the green light to bring the player.

But due to the unavailability of flights from his home country, his arrival in the State has been delayed.

He is now on the waiting list and would make his journey to Sabah upon the availability of a flight with November 16 probably his departure date from Zagreb.

When contacted yesterday, Drago confirmed that the player in question will be his second signing.

He pointed out that he is expecting the said player, who has been plying his trade in the Croatian First Division League, to arrive in Sabah at the latest end of this month.

Drago is still unwilling to reveal the identity of the said player until everything has been finalised.

“It is still not the right moment,” he said.

“Once he signs for us, then the team management will make an appropriate announcement.

However he insisted that the said player is one of the top strikers in the Croatian First Division League.

“I know him personally and I have watched him play. And I firmly believe that his presence will give the team a big plus.

And if the deal is concluded (with the Croatian striker), the Rhinos will be looking for one more import player to fill in the last quota.

Drago hinted that he is keeping a close eye on an Englishman – Jamie Phoenix – who is currently undergoing trials with the team.

“He has showed us something. He showed us he has something special and quality. But we still need to have a good look at him before offering him a contract.

“For now, what I can say is he is close to landing a deal with the club. We need a good professional not only on the battlefield but also off the field because we have so many youngsters in the team,” said Drago.

Tonight, the Rhinos will be playing against USM in a friendly at the UMS Mini Stadium at 7pm.

And Drago will have another chance to have a good look at Jamie, who is a former Bolton Wanderers player.

He also played for the England Under-17 squad while doing the apprenticeship with Manchester City, who currently occupy the third spot in the English Premiership.

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