Please stay: Daniel Ting’s services are still needed by Sabah, says coach Kim Swee.
PETALING JAYA: All training but no game is not helping Sabah in their preparation for the AFC Cup Asean zone semi-final against Australian Macarthur at the Campbelltown Stadium on Feb 13.
The Rhinos started training last week but coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee is concerned that his team will not be able to play friendly games against top-quality sides before the all-important clash.
Among all the Super League clubs, Sabah are the first side to start pre-season early because of their AFC Cup assignment but are finding it tough to look for good opponents for friendlies.
“All the teams in West Malaysia are still in the off-season. Getting friendlies can be difficult this time around,” he said
When asked if he would consider friendlies against amateur or semi-professional clubs in Sabah, Kim Swee said that would not work.
“With due respect to all the clubs, we want a game that can test us. The same kind of intensity, the same style we are going to play against Macarthur.
“If you play against local amateur clubs, you will win but you will never learn. You will never see what you need to improve.
“We need to rectify this before the game. If we play against higher-level opposition, we can remedy the little hiccups we have.”
Kim Swee said Macarthur will be entering the semi-final with an advantage as they have competitive action going on, which is the A-League.
He added that better momentum will be on the Aussie side and if Sabah want to close that gap, they need friendly matches to help boost their side’s quest on the continental stage.
“Yes, we are training and getting back to fitness but working our playing shape without any games is not helpful. I hope we can get at least two good quality games before the tie against Macarthur.”
Sabah will not have the services of defenders Rizal Ghazali and Irfan Zakaria, and striker Amri Yahyah, who have left the club after their contracts expired.
Sabah have brought in young midfielder Harith Naem Jaineh from Perak and will bring in some young reinforcements from the President Cup team.
As for leftback Daniel Ting, Kim Swee said the club are discussing with JDT to extend his loan stay with them.
Kim Swee said the club are undergoing cost-cutting measures, almost 30 to 40 per cent cuts and will not be signing big names for the upcoming season.
“This season, we are cutting a lot of costs. We are not going to spend big this time. We are going to stick to the players we have. We are recruiting one or two Sabah-born players just like Harith.
“There will be more young blood in our team, so our advice to them is to work hard and believe the opportunity will come for them this season.”
