Sabah need to start winning

Kota Kinabalu: It will be a big month ahead after Sabah resumes its Super League campaign against Terengganu T-Team in their away clash tonight.

Victory for Sabah will be crucial, just as it will be for their opponents, as both teams will be looking to avoid a relegation battle at the end of the season.

The fixture will be a test of wits for Sabah as they enter the game with a depleting team.

Injuries, suffered in the earlier part of the season, has left Gary Phillips with a thin squad, as player after player joins the list of long term injuries, which threatens Sabah's survival in the League.

And with only five games remaining before the half way point, Sabah must do all they can to avoid any crippling factors.

The month ahead is packed with fixtures and with little cover left remaining, Gary must play his cards carefully to avoid additional complications.

Nine games line up the Super League fixtures for Sabah this month, a tall and trying order that Gary must take stride in dealing with.

Winning tonight's game will be the only order in Gary's list of objectives.

The team manager and head coach will need the victory to help inspire his squad to press on for the fight for survival.

But despite the odds being stacked high against him, Gary remains confident that there is still hope for survival if his remaining chargers can stay fit.

"Every match is important because confidence grows with every win.

We actually have a deferred game against Harimau Muda, so it is more like 16 games in eight weeks.

"This is going to be very tough for us but if the rest of the boys can stay fit and avoid injury, then I believe we just might be able to climb back up the standings," said Gary, when contacted yesterday.

For their clash tonight, Sabah will miss two key players in Azizon Abd Kadir and Mafry Balang.

"Azizon is suffering from a groin pain. Mafry on the other hand will miss the game to serve a one-match suspension but will be with us for the next game, which is also an away fixture," said Gary.

Likely to assume Azizon's role will be Syed Adney Syed Hussien.

Youngster Leopold Alfonso Otong will also be travelling with the team.

Other members of the squad include Mohd Salawi Jasad, Md Reithuddin Ag Embran, Rosdin Wasli, Shahrul Azhar Ture, Zainizam Marjan, Sumardi Hajalan, Mohd Farid Ideris, Razlan Oto, Alto Linus, Stanley Bernard, Sabri Sahar, Radzi Mohd Hussin, Zuraindey Jumai, Hariri Mohd Safii and Julamri Muhammad.

After their date with T-Team, Sabah will remain on the road to take on Felda United before returning home for two consecutive matches against Perak (April 9) and Perlis (April 12).

They head back on the road on April 16 to face Kelantan before taking on Selangor three days later.

They will face Selangor on April 23 at the Likas Stadium