KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah and Selangor will get an early taste of their FA Cup semi-final rivalry when they clash in a Super League match at the Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu on tomorrow.
Following this match, both the Rhinos and the Red Giants will meet again in the FA Cup semi-final later this month.
Their Super League fixture carries a dual mission for Sabah coach Jean-Paul de Marigny and Selangor interim coach Christophe Gamel, who will not only eye three points but also study each other’s teams in preparation for the FA Cup.
With home advantage, Sabah are expected to take the field with high motivation after defeating Kelantan The Real Warriors 3-1 in the FA Cup quarter-final to progress with a 5-2 aggregate win.
However, Sabah’s main concern remains their poor Super League record, as they have yet to register a victory after seven matches in the competition.
De Marigny said his team’s main focus is to carry their strong FA Cup form into the Super League, viewing the match against Selangor as a chance to end their winless run.
Selangor, meanwhile, are also struggling with inconsistent performances, as last season’s runners-up currently sit seventh in the standings with 10 points.
The Red Giants dropped points after being held to a goalless draw by KL City at home last Sunday before suffering a 3-2 defeat to Negri Sembilan in the second leg of their FA Cup quarter-final, also on home turf.
Gamel, however, appears to have already begun preparing for the Sabah clash by resting several key players during the match against Negri.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
