PETALING JAYA: Sabah are on a roll in the Super League, winning the last six games, but the fine run could come to an end in the next game.
The Rhinos will be facing another high-riding side, in the form of defending champions Johor Darul Ta’zim at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri on Jan 12.
The Southern Tigers are on a nine-game winning run in the league, and will surely be the favourites to stop Sabah.
Sabah midfielder Gary Steven Robbat, who was with JDT from 2015 to 2021 before moving to his current side in 2022, knows the task would be daunting but said momentum was on their side too.
“Our chemistry has been brilliant these past few weeks, everyone is enjoying training and you can see smiles all around. The winning streak has been good for our confidence,” said the 32-year-old.
“JDT are a strong side, and we have seen how consistent they are this season, or shall I say, for many years now. We’ll follow the training plan and stay committed to the cause.
“Getting at least a point would be great but we are entering this match with the hope of challenging JDT in every way.”
The last six wins were against Perak (4-2), Penang (4-0), Kedah (5-2), Kelantan (4-1) and Kuching City (2-1). In the league, Sabah are currently 29 points from 15 games.
Even after Datuk Ong Kim Swee left the team on Nov 27 to join Indonesian club, Persis Solo, Sabah remained unbeaten under the coaching team of Alto Linus and Martin Stano, both trusted lieutenants of Kim Swee, and even reached the semi-finals of the Malaysia Cup by beating Kuching 1-0 on aggregate in the quarter-finals.
Gary is happy they continued to stick together as a team under Alto and Stano.
“They did not change the programme set by coach Ong for the whole season. And we, after all, have been working with Alto and Martin for almost three seasons now.
Gary has been an integral part of Sabah’s midfield as he is tasked to do the ‘hard man’ job of being a defensive midfielder, which allows the likes of playmakers Telmo Castanheira and Stuart Wilkin to roam forward often.
“On and off the field, we communicate really well. It’s easy playing with these two and I know I have to be a real workhorse to ensure these two can help the attack.
“The regular game time has given me confidence and I can take 90-minute games quite often. I want to maintain this form.”
