PETALING JAYA: Sabah are not in the best condition to take on Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) in the Super League today but the Borneo outfit will enter the battlefield at their Likas Stadium with the hide of Rhinos.
The hosts have to manage without several key players in the team but interim coach Alto Linus is hoping the home crowd’s support will give his charges an extra lift.
Sabah will be without several players, including Miguel Cifuentes, who suffered a leg fracture during their Malaysian Football League (MFL) Challenge Cup match against Police last weekend and is expected to be out for two weeks.
Midfielder Duje Ljubic, forward Kervens Belfort and winger Chris Mba are all under the watchful eyes of the coaching staff to determine if their fitness levels allow them to be fielded against JDT.
Despite the constraints, Alto is still confident that his players will rise to the occasion and give their opponents a tough fight.
“I believe in the players that we have. This is their chance to show what they have to offer,” he said.
“We also hope that playing in front of our home fans will give the players extra motivation.
“The squad will want to deliver the best result and prove that they can do it.”
But while Alto keeps his hopes high, Sabah have not had the best luck in the Land Below the Wind.
In their last five home matches, they have only won twice, with one draw and two losses. And opponents don’t come any tougher than the all-conquering JDT.
Sabah are currently in 11th place in the Super League with 14 points, while the Southern Tigers are untouchable at the top with 48 points, boasting a 100 per cent record after 16 matches.
