Sabah FC head coach Jean-Paul de Marigny has made it clear that his side will not adopt a deep-defensive approach when they face Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) in the Piala FA Malaysia 2025/26 final.
The French tactician dismissed suggestions that Sabah might mirror the “Shanghai Port model” — a defensive, damage-limitation strategy used by the 2025 Chinese Super League champions when they held JDT to a draw in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26.
In that match at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Shanghai absorbed relentless pressure, conceding 48 attempts, including 12 on target, yet still escaped with a point
For de Marigny, however, defence is only one component of Sabah’s overall philosophy — not the foundation.
“No. Of course defending is part of our principles, just like attacking. When we are in transition, it is the same,” he said during the pre-match press conference.
“The game is the same in terms of challenges, so we must realise all aspects of the game as well as possible.
“If you have followed us over the last eight matches, we are an attacking team and we want to score goals. We have scored goals and we will continue to score goals.”
De Marigny believes abandoning Sabah’s natural attacking instincts would be a mistake, especially given their recent scoring form.
The FA Cup final represents far more than just silverware for Sang Badak, who are chasing their first FA Cup title since 1995 — a drought stretching nearly three decades.
The clash also carries an element of revenge, after JDT humiliated Sabah with an 8-0 league victory in September.
Credit Photo : Sabah FC
