Sabah FA

Sabah FA
Full name Sabah Football Association
Nickname(s) Rhinos
Founded 1963
Ground Likas Stadium
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Capacity 35,000[1]
Chairman Musa Aman
Manager Goh Thian Chuan
Coach Mike Mulvey
League Malaysia Premier League
2014 Malaysia Premier League, 8th
Website Club home page

The Sabah Football Association is an football association that supervises football in the state of Sabah. The association's football team competes in Malaysia's football league representing the state of Sabah in Borneo. Sabah is a professional football team and one of the 14 state teams of the Malaysian football structure. They currently competes in Malaysia's second division professional football league, the Malaysia Premier League.

The team's home matches are played at the 30,000 capacity Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu, the capital city of Sabah.

History

North Borneo football team became the first season winner of the Borneo Cup in 1962, one year before the merger to form Malaysia.

In the 1950s until 1963 Sabah competed as North Borneo football team in the Borneo Cup together with Sarawak football team and Brunei national football team. The North Borneo Football Association (NBFA) changed its name to Sabah Football Association (Sabah FA). Sabah qualify into the Malaysia Cup for the first time in 1977 and enter the competition in 1978.

Amateur and Semi-pro Era

Sabah was a well known team during the Malaysian football amateur and semi-pro era as state team produced many quality players namely the trio of James Wong, Hassan Sani and Peter Rajah. These players during their time led Sabah to become one of Malaysian football's most feared teams during the 80's.

One fine example was during the 1979 Malaysian League where Sabah started slowly. After a run of 8 matches, they stood with 3 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses but, during the later stages they stepped up a gear or five by winning all their remaining 8 matches with most of them by huge margins, including an incredible 8–0 thrashing of Sarawak, 11–0 hammering of Perak FA and the 6–1 beating of Terengganu FA. At the end of the season, Sabah finished as runners-up behind Singapore FA and became the highest scoring team with 49 goals in 12 games, which is an average of 3 goals per game.[2]

In 1991, Sabah striker Matlan Marjan became the first Malaysia to score a double against England in 'A' international matches on 12 June 1991.[3]

Professional Era

When professional football was introduced by Football Association of Malaysia, Sabah also made a reputation of being one of the Malaysian League's most competitive teams. Quality professional players were produced from the ranks during the 1990s, most notably Matlan Marjan who helped Sabah finish as runners-up during 1993 and 1994 Malaysia FA Cup, and who at one time was appointed as the national team captain by the then Malaysian national team coach Claude Le Roy.

The positive results gained from the beginning of professional era however was cut short by the match fixing scandal that rocked Malaysian football in 1994. The scandal almost destroyed Sabah and Malaysian football in general. Sadly, Matlan was the one of several players found guilty for being involved in the scandal. As a punishment for their involvement in match fixing, he and the other players were banned for life by FIFA from being involved in football.

After the scandal, Sabah began its rebuilding process to regain their reputation in Malaysian football. Sabah won their first professional trophy, the Malaysia FA Cup in 1995. In the 1996 season, Sabah won their first league title and went through to the final of the Malaysia Cup for the first time but were beatened by Selangor FA on penalties.

The 2000 season could be considered as Sabah's worst since joining the Malaysian professional league. They were relegated to the second division and could not get past the group stages of the Malaysia Cup. However, Sabah quickly regained its performance in the 2001 season where they finished as runners-up behind Johor FC.[4]

In the 2002 season, Sabah lining up players of calibre such as Zainizam Marjan, Khairul Azman Mohamed, and foreign striker Josiah Seton, finished third in the league and again managed to get through to the final of Malaysia Cup by beating Selangor Public Bank and Perak FA. Sabah however finished as runners-up yet again by losing to the same team that beat them in 1996 final, Selangor FA. This time, Sabah lost by 'golden goal' scored by Mohd Amri Yahyah.[5]

In 2003, Sabah again finished third in Malaysia Premier League One. Sabah again reached the final of Malaysia Cup. This time they lost to club-side Selangor MPPJ by 3–0, with hattrick from Juan Manuel Arostegui.

When Malaysian Super League was introduced in 2004, Sabah struggled to be competitive against other teams in the top league. Sabah only managed to stay in Super League for two seasons as they were relegated to Malaysia Premier League for the 2005/06 season.

After the relegation to 2nd tier league, Sabah continued to struggle for promotion to get back into the top division. They lost to Pahang FA in the 2006/07 season play-off for a place in 2007/08 Malaysia Super League.

After 6 years playing in the 2nd tier Premier League, Australian coach Gary Phillips was able to guide Sabah to promotion in 2010 - his first season in charge. After poor results which have affected Sabah's performance in the 2011 league and also the cup, Gary Phillips was replaced by Justin Ganai to save Sabah from relegation zone. Ganai improved Sabah FA performance in 2011 Malaysia Cup where the team reached the quarterfinals. Sabah are currently playing in the 2012 Malaysia Super League.

Stadium

Likas Stadium, the home stadium for Sabah FA.

Likas Stadium is the current home ground for Sabah FA. Penampang Stadium is occasionally used for afternoon matches, usually when Likas Stadium was renovated or if floodlights require maintenance. Tawau Sports Complex is a regular venue that is only used sometimes for the Malaysia Premier League.

Club culture

Supporters

Mascot

Sabah FA was formerly called the Rhinos since the golden 90s era but in 2010 SAFA changed the mascot to Hawks to rebrand the ailing football team.[6] It was a controversial move as Kuala Lumpur FA was already known as the Hawks.[7] Sabah FA reinstated its name as the Rhinos starting from 2015.[8]

Rivalry

Sabah FA neighbouring rival is Sarawak FA with both claiming the title of 'the best in Borneo' and referred to as the Borneo derby.

Broadcasting

Radio coverage of regular season matches are broadcast on Sabah FM 89.9 in Malay language.

Kits

Honours

Titles
 Winners
Runners-up
Malaysia Cup
1996, 2002, 2003
Malaysia Super League (1x)
1996
Malaysia Premier League
2001, 2010
Malaysia FA Cup (1x)
1995
1993, 1994, 1998
Malaysian Charity Shield
1996
Borneo Cup (14x)
1962, 1963, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972
1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985
1987

Record

Year Position League FA Cup Malaysia Cup
1995 5/15 Premier League
Champion
Semi-final
1996 Champion Premier League Quarter final
Final
1997 3/15 Premier League 2nd Round Group Stage
1998 5/12 Premier League
Runners-up
Semi-final
1999 4/10 Premier 1
Semi-final
 Group Stage
2000 11/12 Premier 1 1st Round Group Stage
2001
Runners-up
 Premier 2
Semi-final
 Group Stage
2002 3/14 Premier 1 Quarter-final
Runners-up
2003 4/13 Premier 1
Semi-final
Runners-up
2004 6/8 Super League Quarter-final
Semi-final
2005 8/8 Super League Quarter-final Group Stage
2006 4/8 Premier League (Group B) 1st Round Group Stage
2007 6/11 Premier League Quarter-final
Semi-final
2008 4/13 Premier League Quarter-final Group Stage
2009 9/13 Premier League 1st Round Group Stage
2010
Runners-up
 Premier League 1st Round Group Stage
2011 10/14 Super League 1st Round
Quarter-final
2012 13/14 Super League 1st Round DNQ
2013 5/12 Premier League 2nd Round DNQ
2014 8/12 Premier League 2nd Round DNQ

Performances In The Regional Tournaments

1996: Round of 16

Squad

No. Name Nationality Position
Goalkeepers
1 Irwan Jamil Malaysia GK
22 Mohd Fazli Paat Malaysia GK
25 Endre S.Tipay Malaysia GK
Robson Rendy Rining Malaysia GK
Defenders
2 Zuraindey Jumai Malaysia DM,RB
3 Mohd Khairi Kiman Malaysia LB
4 Abdoulaye Faye Senegal CB
12 Julamri Muhammad Malaysia LB
13 Mohd Badrul Afendy Mohd Fadzli Malaysia RB
15 Rosdin Wasli Malaysia CB
16 Hardy Charles Parsi Malaysia CB,LB
34 Rawilson Batuil Malaysia CB
Faizol Nazlin Sayuti Malaysia CB,DM
Midfielders
10 Mohd Ezaidy Khadar Malaysia LM,LW,RM,RW
14 Jenius Karib Malaysia DM,RB
18 Shafuan Adli Shaari Malaysia CM
19 R. Surendran Malaysia RM,RW,ST
20 Alto Linus Malaysia RM,RW,LM,LW
26 Muhd Izuan Salahuddin Malaysia LM,LW,RM,RW
27 Maxsius Musa Malaysia RM,RW
28 Didie Arizal Ibrahim Malaysia CM,DM
37 Azzizan Nordin Malaysia CM,DM
Mohd Rozaimi Azwar Mat Noor Malaysia CM,AM
Forwards
6 Joel Chianese Australia AM,ST,RW
9 Éamon Zayed Libya ST
11 El Hadji Diouf (Captain) Senegal ST,RW,LW
17 Leopold Alphonso Malaysia ST
21 Rozaimi Abdul Rahman Malaysia ST,LW
23 Muhammad Shafiq Jamal Malaysia ST

Source:[9]

Transfer In 2015

For recent transfers, see List of Malaysian football transfers 2015

In

Pos. Name From
DL Malaysia Mohd Khairi Kiman Malaysia Perak FA
DC Senegal Abdoulaye Faye England Hull City A.F.C.
DC Malaysia Abdul Thaufiq Abdul Haq Malaysia Cebagoo F.C.
DLC Malaysia Hardy Charles Parsi Malaysia Johor Darul Ta'zim II F.C.
DMC Malaysia Zuraindey Jumai Malaysia Kedah FA
MC Malaysia M. Yogananthan Malaysia Perak FA
MC Malaysia Shafuan Adli Shaari Malaysia PKNS F.C.
AML Malaysia Muhd Izuan Salahuddin Malaysia Sime Darby F.C.
AMR/ST Malaysia R. Surendran Malaysia Perak FA
ST Libya Éamon Zayed Republic of Ireland Shamrock Rovers F.C.
AMRL/ST Senegal El Hadji Diouf England Leeds United A.F.C.
ST Malaysia Muhammad Shafiq Jamal Malaysia Sime Darby F.C.
AM/ST/RW Australia Joel Chianese New Zealand Auckland City FC
DC/DM Malaysia Faizol Nazlin Sayuti Malaysia Kelantan FA (Loan)
AM/CM Malaysia Mohd Rozaimi Azwar Malaysia Kelantan FA (Loan)

Out

Pos. Name To
DRC Malaysia Dendy Lowa Malaysia Released
DC Malaysia Mohd Reithaudin Awang Emran Malaysia Retired
DC Croatia Predrag Pocuca Singapore Tampines Rovers FC
D/MR Malaysia Mohd Shahrul Chankui Malaysia Released
DMC Malaysia Mohd Redzuan Nawi Malaysia Penang FA
AML Malaysia Isma Alif Mohd Salim Malaysia PDRM FA
MC Malaysia Sabri Sahar Malaysia Sarawak FA
AMC Brazil Andrezinho Released
ST Malaysia Rexjeson Pitirus Malaysia Malacca United F.C.
ST Malaysia Mohd Farid Ideris Malaysia Young Fighters F.C.
AMRC/ST Malaysia Zainizam Marjan Malaysia Released
ST Syria Marwan Sayedeh Malaysia Released
ST Liberia Jerome Suku Doe Laos Lao Toyota F.C.
AMR/ST Singapore Fazrul Nawaz Released
DC Malaysia Abdul Thaufiq Abdul Jabar Malaysia Malacca United S.A. April Transfer
MC Malaysia M. Yoganathan Released April Transfer

Season 2014 President's Cup team

For the president's cup squads, see Sabah FA President's Cup Team.

Sabah President's Cup Squad

No. Name Nationality Position
Goalkeepers
1 Mohd Fazrul Iman Malan Malaysia GK
22 Masran Masri Malaysia GK
25 Datu Mohd Armin Datu Muhammad Malaysia GK
Defenders
2 Mohd Azfizam Norli Malaysia RB
3 Mohd Nazrien Saini Malaysia CB
5 Randy Baruh Samson Malaysia CB
11 Mohd Ikhmal Akid Bahari Malaysia LB,LM
12 Josesua Jubin Malaysia RB
13 Amirjan Yunus Malaysia LB
20 Rawilson Batuil Malaysia CB
23 Dyrrance Junaidih Malaysia CB
Zulhafiz Abdul Mahal Malaysia CB
Midfielders
4 Mohd Zulfadlisham Roseland Malaysia CM
7 Mohd Asharafi Abdan Malaysia CM
9 Saliun Mastar Malaysia AM,ST
10 Hafizan Jahar Malaysia RM,RW,LM,LW
14 Rafis Etin Malaysia AM,CM
16 Mohd Khosnol Amat Malaysia LM,LW
19 Ummareng Bacok Malaysia RM,RW
24 Mohd Fazzrey Karim Malaysia LM,LW
Fazriel Hanafi Stepanus Malaysia CM
Forwards
6 O'Neil Shanahan Marcellinus Bungkilan Malaysia ST
8 Mohd Azwan Abdul Fattah Malaysia ST
17 Ridzuan Raymend Malaysia ST
21 Rahman Shah Marajeh Malaysia ST

U19 team

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
3 Malaysia DF Masmilan Anil Matlan
4 Malaysia DF Ranilson Batuil
5 Malaysia DF Mohd Sellehudin Akmad
6 Malaysia MF Mohd Syazwan Roslan
7 Malaysia MF Rickson Pang Tabias
8 Malaysia MF Mohd Juraidi Lijas
9 Malaysia FW Mohd Syazwan Jamain
10 Malaysia FW Fazrel Hanafi Stepanus
12 Malaysia MF Mohd Fuad Amin
13 Malaysia DF Mohd Syafiq Mohd Nor
14 Malaysia DF Bellry Renno Ripin
15 Malaysia MF Malik Jukup
18 Malaysia FW Mohd Reezam Roslee
No. Position Player
19 Malaysia FW Masrani Mohd Asri
20 Malaysia MF Fazrian Shah Azri
21 Malaysia FW Mohd Zaki Sapri
22 Malaysia GK Mohd Sakri Masri
23 Malaysia FW Yussedy Yusman
24 Malaysia DF Mohd Ramzainee Ramlee
25 Malaysia GK Mazlan Norli
26 Malaysia FW Nik Mohd Ileyzley Rosley
28 Malaysia DF Jeniun Karib
42 Malaysia MF Mohd Shahrul Asmadin
44 Malaysia DF Mohd Yazid Abdul Rashid
45 Malaysia DF Mohd Aidil Shahrolmizan Asimin

Source:[10]

Current coaching staff

Position Name
Chairman Malaysia Musa Aman
Deputy chairman 1 Malaysia Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan
Deputy chairman 2 Malaysia Lawrence Limbang
C.E.O Malaysia Goh Thian Chuan
Manager Malaysia Goh Thian Chuan
Tecnical Director Malaysia Justin Ganai
Head Coach England Mike Mulvey
Assistant Coach Malaysia Burhan Ajui
Coach Malaysia Jelius Ating
Goalkeeping coach Malaysia Mohd Noor Abdullah @ Francis Xaverius Sanga
Fitness coach Malaysia Andrew Majanggim
Physiotherapist Malaysia Matlan Basir
U21 Manager Malaysia Datuk Juil Nuatim
U21 Head team coach Malaysia R. Gopal Krishnan
U21 Assistant coach Malaysia Awang Sabtu Jamil
U21 coach Malaysia Matasan Ahmad
U21 Goalkeeping coach Malaysia Mark Damun Sagar
U21 Fitness coach Malaysia Rozlee Idris
U21 Physiotherapist Malaysia James Edwin
U19 Manager Malaysia Othman Abdullah
U19 Head team coach Malaysia Mohd Razali Zinin
U19 Assistant coach Malaysia Ahmad Fakhrurazi Hamzah
U19 Goalkeeping coach Malaysia Jasrin Jabidin
U19 Physiotherapist Malaysia Azirul Hassan
Massuer Malaysia Mr. Hu
Kitman Malaysia Anizam Zainudin

Transfers

For recent transfers, see List of Malaysian football transfers 2015

Managers and coaches

Managers

  • Malaysia Goh Thian Chuan (1999)
  • Malaysia Osman Jamal (2000–2001)
  • Malaysia Mohd Joehari Mohd Ayub (2004–2005)
  • Malaysia Abdul Rahman Zakaria (2006–2009)
  • Malaysia Mohd Asyraaf Fong Abdullah (2009)
  • Australia Gary Phillips (2010–2011)
  • Malaysia Shahriman Abdullah (2011–2012)
  • Malaysia Alijus Sipil (2013–2014)
  • Malaysia Abdul Rahman Zakaria (2014)
  • Malaysia Goh Thian Chuan (2015)

Coaches

  • Malaysia Stanley Chew (197?–1979)
  • West Germany Gerd Schmidt (1980–1983)
  • Malaysia James Wong (1984)
  • Malaysia Stanley Chew (1985)
  • Malaysia Azah Ezrein (1986)
  • Malaysia Stanley Chew (1987–1988)
  • England Frank Upton (1989–1990)
  • England Roy Lorenson (1990–1992)
  • Czech Republic Oldřich Sedláček (1992–1995)
  • Malaysia Kelly Tham (1995–1996)
  • Australia Ron Smith (1996–1997)
  • England Ken Shellito (1998)
  • Malaysia Justin Ganai (1999)
  • Australia Ken Worden (1999)
  • England David Woodfield (2000–2001)
  • England Peter Butler (2001–2004)
  • Portugal José Garrido (2004–2005)
  • Portugal José Luis (2005)
  • Malaysia Justin Ganai (2005–2006)
  • Croatia Drago Mamic (2007–2008)
  • Iraq Wathiq Naji Jasim (2008–2009)
  • Malaysia Mohd Asyraaf Fong Abdullah (2009)
  • Australia Gary Phillips (2010–2011)
  • Malaysia Justin Ganai (2011–2012)
  • Malaysia Andrew Majjangkim (2012)
  • Northern Ireland David McCreery (2012–2013)
  • Malaysia Johnny Dominicus (2013)
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina Milomir Seslija (2014)
  • Malaysia Justin Ganai (2015)
  • England Mike Mulvey (2015–)

Former notable players

Locals

Players that played for the Malaysia national football team while playing for Sabah.

Football Clubs

Affiliated Clubs within the Association

Affiliated Clubs outside the Association

References

  1. ↑ www.fussballtempel.net
  2. ↑ 1979 – that golden year
  3. ↑ EnglandFC 1990 to 1995
  4. ↑ Malaysia League 2001
  5. ↑ Youtube.com – Amri Yahyah Golden Boy
  6. ↑ http://www.sabahrhinos.com/2010/01/sabahhawks/
  7. ↑ http://www.sabahrhinos.com/2010/01/sabah-is-now-known-as-sabahawks/
  8. ↑ http://www.nst.com.my/node/52051
  9. ↑ "Sabah 2015". sabahfa.com. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  10. ↑ "25 PEMAIN MUDA GALAS TUGAS SABAH DI MELAKA". sabahfa. Retrieved 30 July 2014.

External links