Latest news with #AltoLinus
Daily Express
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Express
Rhinos still not match fit
Published on: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 15, 2025 By: GL Oh Text Size: A Sabah FC player (right) tries to block a clearance by the Buriram United goalkeeper. – Sabah FC FB Kota Kinabalu: The 8-2 thrashing by Thailand top club Buriram United in the Asean Charity Shield match at the Rainbow Stadium in Pattani on Sunday evening was a good session for Sabah FC, said assistant coach Alto Linus. He said the result may not be what they had expected but it served as a good learning lesson for the players as they prepared for the new season. Advertisement 'The result was definitely not what was expected. Despite the loss, the match was an important learning ground for the team as we had just started pre-season training less than a month ago. 'It allowed us to assess the team performance as a whole against one of the best clubs in Southeast Asia and it certainly exposed several weaknesses that need to be improved immediately, especially in defence and transition of play,' he said. He admitted that the players' fitness level is still not at its optimum level with only one pre-season match against Kasuka FC under their belt before taking on the Thai champion. 'I believe we need at least three to four more friendlies before we are truly ready for the start of the Super League.' On the individual performance, he praised some of the youngsters who were promoted from the under-23 squad. 'These players have shown maturity and commitment when given the opportunity to play alongside senior players. 'As for the three new import players (Dean Pelekanos, Dane Ingham and Ajdin Mujagic), who have just joined the team this season, I am satisfied with their performance, but they need to further improve their fitness level,' he added. He also said skipper Dominic Tan and Gabriel Peres, who did not feature in the starting line-up on Sunday should be fully recovered from their injuries within a week. Meanwhile, the team are scheduled to play three or more warm-up matches before the season opener against Melaka FC at Likas Stadium on August 30. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Sabah FC preps for M-League with new signings and friendlies
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah FC remains in the team-building stage as they prepare for the upcoming Malaysia League season, set to begin in August. Head coach Alto Linus stated that the Rhinos will play additional friendly matches to fine-tune their squad before the competition starts. 'We need another three to four friendlies to ensure the team is fully prepared,' Alto said in a statement. He also expressed confidence in the performance of new foreign signings Dean Pelekanos, Dane Ingham, and Adjin Mujagic, who have shown promise in pre-season matches. Despite a heavy 8-2 loss to Thailand's Buriram United in a recent friendly, Alto highlighted the positive contributions of young players promoted from the Under-23 squad. He also confirmed that defenders Dominic and Gabriel are recovering well from injuries and should return to full fitness within a week, bolstering the team's defensive options. - Bernama
The Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Sabah FC to Play More Friendlies Ahead of League Kick-Off
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah FC are still in the team-building phase ahead of the Malaysia League kick-off scheduled for this August, according to head coach Alto Linus. As such, the Rhinos will continue to play several more friendly matches in the final weeks of pre-season to ensure all players are fully prepared for the 2025–2026 Malaysia League campaign. 'I believe we need another three to four friendly matches before we're truly ready for the league competition,' he said in a statement today. Commenting on the three new imports – Dean Pelekanos, Dane Ingham and Adjin Mujagic – who joined the team this season, Alto expressed satisfaction with their current performance, particularly in pre-season friendlies. Despite an 8-2 defeat in a friendly match against Buriram United in Pattani, Thailand, yesterday, Alto praised the performance of several young players recently promoted from the Under-23 squad. He said two key defenders, Dominic and Gabriel, are expected to make a full recovery from injury within a week, which will further strengthen the team's backline- BERNAMA
The Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Sabah FC still shaping squad for M-League
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah FC are still in the team-building phase ahead of the Malaysia League kick-off scheduled for this August, according to head coach Alto Linus. As such, the Rhinos will continue to play several more friendly matches in the final weeks of pre-season to ensure all players are fully prepared for the 2025–2026 Malaysia League campaign. 'I believe we need another three to four friendly matches before we're truly ready for the league competition,' he said in a statement today. Commenting on the three new imports – Dean Pelekanos, Dane Ingham and Adjin Mujagic – who joined the team this season, Alto expressed satisfaction with their current performance, particularly in pre-season friendlies. Despite an 8-2 defeat in a friendly match against Buriram United in Pattani, Thailand, yesterday, Alto praised the performance of several young players recently promoted from the Under-23 squad. He said two key defenders, Dominic and Gabriel, are expected to make a full recovery from injury within a week, which will further strengthen the team's backline- BERNAMA
Barnama
a day ago
- Sport
- Barnama
Sabah FC Still Shaping Squad For M-League
KOTA KINABALU, July 14 (Bernama) -- Sabah FC are still in the team-building phase ahead of the Malaysia League kick-off scheduled for this August, according to head coach Alto Linus. As such, the Rhinos will continue to play several more friendly matches in the final weeks of pre-season to ensure all players are fully prepared for the 2025–2026 Malaysia League campaign. 'I believe we need another three to four friendly matches before we're truly ready for the league competition,' he said in a statement today.
