Kota Kinabalu: Sabah FC’s first game in the new Super League season scheduled on August 19 has now been postponed till August 29 due to the Sabah Masters Athletics Championship, which is being held at Likas Stadium this weekend.
As a result, Sabah FC season opener will now be an away game against Kuala Lumpur FC on August 13.
A home game to kick- start the season is always the best tonic for any team to register their first win with the support of their fans.
Anyway, playing away doesn’t mean that you are going to lose, but it is always going to be a difficult game as the host will have the backing of their home crowd and the pressure will be high for the visiting team.
However, I believe with a positive mindset and strong confidence, we should be able to perform well and get a good result.
After all, Sabah FC are not a new team. Most of the players have been with the team for at least two years and more. The comradeship of the players is definitely there and so is the bonding.
The old guards Saddil Ramdani, Telmo Castanheira, Park Taesu and Ko Kwang-min are no longer in the picture.
The new faces to replace them are striker Ajdin Mujagic from Bosnia Herzegovina , midfielder Dean Pelekanos from Australia and defender Dane Ingham from New Zealand as well as naturalised national player Fergus Tierney.
It will be interesting to see how well these players have blended into the team. I guess the first game against Kuala Lumpur will give us the answer.
Darren Lok now has a new partner upfront with Ajdin and Fergus, who is one of the players in the National Under-23 squad.
He is young and hungry and have a bright future. I just hope the new look strike force will make an immediate impact on the team and get us the goals.
Jafri Chew, who seldom started the games past few seasons, is an asset and may have more playing time to contribute this season.
With the absence of Telmo, I am certain Stuart Wilkin will have to take the lead in the engine room and hopefully his partnership with the new imports will be able to perform well.
Centreback Gabriel Peres who missed the last few matches towards the end of last season due to injuries is now back with the team.
I am sure the coaches are relieved to see his presence as he not only helped the team in defence but also managed to score goals.
Let’s hope the team can bring home the three points.
Good luck Sabah FC!
