PETALING JAYA: After five long months on the sidelines, Sabah’s towering centreback Gabriel Peres is finally back where he belongs – on the pitch.
The 1.97m Brazilian marked his much-anticipated return against Police at the Selayang Stadium on Aug 1, bringing fresh hope to Sabah’s defence as they look to reignite their Super League season.
The domestic campaign will begin with the Charity Shield match between Johor Darul Ta’zim and Selangor on Aug 8.
Before injury struck, Peres had been a key pillar for Sabah, marking 18 appearances and scoring five goals, with many from his trademark headers during set pieces.
Now fully fit, the 30-year-old is determined to pick up where he left off.
“It’s all worth it,” he shared on social media following his comeback.
“Every effort, every sacrifice, returns in a wonderful way. Nothing we do here on earth is in vain; we reap what we sow.
“Even in the face of all adversity, I can overcome it all with the Lord’s blessing.
“To Him be all honour and glory. Never give up on your dreams; fight for them until the end.”
Peres’ return is more than just symbolic, it offers Sabah a vital lift both defensively and offensively.
Known not only for his commanding presence in the air but also for his ability to play out from the back, the Brazilian brings balance and assurance to Alto Linus’ setup.
His performance against Police showed glimpses of the old Peres – calm on the ball, aggressive in the air, and always a threat on attacking set pieces.
While he may still be easing back into full match sharpness, his return couldn’t have come at a better time as Sabah look to improve their position in the league after finishing third last season.
But with Peres back in the famed dark blue jersey, Sabah fans have every reason to believe their team’s defensive backbone will be stronger than ever.
