Rhinos lack strength in depth: Coach

Kota Kinabalu: The lack of strength in depth of the current Sabah Rhinos team could harm the team's chance of survival in the Premier League following their 3-1 defeat to PDRM on Tuesday night.Head coach Jelius Ating reckoned there is a need to strengthen every department if he is to bring the team forward.

"Tiredness was not the only reason for the defeat on Tuesday night against PDRM.

"I knew the players were physically drained after the FA Cup match against Negeri Sembilan on Friday and because of that, they were given only light training before the match against PDRM.

"Unfortunately some of the players still failed to recover fully and we were not well organised especially in the early stages.

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"The defence was not compact enough and the midfield (which is) usually our strength also lost ball possession easily."

He said getting capable strikers for the team is his top priority now.

"I am not making excuses but overall we need to strengthen the team especially the strikers department.

At the moment we only have two natural strikers in Rahman Shah Marajeh and Leopold Alfonso.

"Although Hamran Peter from the President Cup squad is with us, he is still rather raw.

Apart from that we also need one good defender and a midfielder who can really raise our game."

However, Jelius will only get his wish for the new recruits once the transfer window re-opens on May 15.

And he still has only the present squad to choose from for the match against Terengganu on May 5.

So far the team has only registered one win since Jelius took over in March and that was the 1-0 victory over Kuantan FA in the league match played here at the Likas Stadium.

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The team are currently in 10th position with seven points from two wins, one draw and eight losses.

Meanwhile, the Junior Rhinos who are still searching for their first win of the season may get their wish as they take on bottom club team ATM who are also winless in the Group B President Cup match at the Mindef Mini Stadium this afternoon (Thursday).

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