KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee aims to book an early ticket to the AFC Cup zonal semifinals when they meet Singapore's Hougang United in a Group H match at the Jalan Besar Stadium tomorrow.
The Rhinos lead the group with nine points after four matches, three more than second-placed Hai Phong of Vietnam.
Indonesia's PSM Makassar, who also have six points, are third on inferior goal difference. Hougang are bottom with three points.
With two more group matches remaining, the door to the zonal semifinals is still wide open.
Kim Swee has warned his men not to underestimate the Singaporean side.
Hougang, nicknamed the Cheetahs, held Lion City Sailors to a 1-1 draw in the Singapore Cup last Saturday.
Kim Swee downplayed his experience of having guided Harimau Muda in the 2012 S-League.
"I expect a tough and interesting game.
"It's good to be back here (in Singapore). It's totally different now. I was with a youth team, Harimau Muda, in the S-League before, and now I'm with a club team.
"But it doesn't mean with a past record in Singapore, it will be easy (for Kim Swee). We can only get good results with hard work."