Rhinos must not be complacent
Published on: Wednesday, December 13, 2023
By: James Wong
For the players who are entrusted to play tomorrow night, please be focused and cut down silly mistakes. It will do damage to the team if you let it happen.
SABAH FC will be taking on PSM Makassar of Indonesia in the AFC Cup Group H match at Likas Stadium tomorrow (Thursday) night.
There will be no pressure for Sabah FC since we have already qualified for the next round after taking 12 points from four matches.
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It would of course be great if we could finish the group match with another victory but I am not sure whether coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee will field the reserves and give the main players a rest to focus on the final Super League game on December 17 against Kedah FC, a very important game as we need to finish in third place to be able to play in the AFC Cup competition again next season.
To be able to achieve that we have to win against Kedah FC because a draw won’t be enough as they are two points ahead.
Back to the AFC match, I am certain SM Makassar will be desperate for a win and the three points to stay in the hunt for second spot in Group H.
At the moment they are third behind Hai Phong FC on goal difference.
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The Vietnamese side seem to have a better chance to take the runners-up spot as they have a much easier final game against bottom team Hougang United at home even though they lost to their Singapore opponents 1-2 away in the first round tie.
It will also be a tough call for PSM Makassar to beat us having lost the first round match 0-5 despite playing at home.
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However, in any football game, it is never won until the final whistle is blown.
For the players who are entrusted to play tomorrow night, please be focused and cut down silly mistakes. It will do damage to the team if you let it happen.
Take the recent English Premier League game between Everton and Newcastle as an example.
Newcastle conceded two goals simply because of silly mistakes and that cost them the game that they should have won.
It is never easy to come back from two goals down because time may not be on your side.
Complacency is another culprit the players must be aware of.
Anyway, I believe we could get a win tomorrow night and I am sure the home fans will turn up to cheer the team on as they too know that the team needs a confidence booster ahead of the Kedah game.
Enjoy the game and good luck boys!
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