Kota Kinabalu: Sabah FC’s players are urged to raise their game further if they are to do well in the quarter-finals of the Malaysia Cup competition.
Head coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee made the call after watching his players struggle to deal with Premier League side UiTM FC in the return leg of their last 16 clash where the game ended 1-1 at the Likas Stadium on Monday night.
Despite the draw, Sabah FC managed to progress to the next round with a 3-2 aggregate following their 2-1 away first leg victory.
“I am delighted that the team qualified for the quarter-finals but not happy with our overall performance over the last two legs and we need to raise our game if we are to do well in the next rounds.
“It was obviously not easy to play in the heavy rain. At the same time, UiTM played with many defensive players and credit to them for making life difficult for us to penetrate their defence,” said Ong after the game.
He also lamented the players’ lack of concentration allowing the visitors to score late in the game.
“It was the same situation in the first leg where we conceded at the very last minute.
“We were too relaxed after taking the lead and this shouldn’t have happened. We must ensure that we stay focused until the final whistle and it is important for the players to rectify their mistakes before the next game,” he added.
Meanwhile, Monday’s match only started at 9pm due to the heavy downpour and players from both sides struggled to play their usual game on the wet and slippery pitch.
Sabah FC’s players were more adapted to the condition in the early stages and UiTM FC were under immense pressure with their goalkeeper Rendy Rening making a string of saves including one close range strike from Nazirul Naim in the 35th minute.
The deadlock was only broken in the 66th minute when Farhan Roslan scored from the spot after Muhd Afzal Akbar was judged to have handled the ball inside the box.
However, their joy of winning was denied in the dying minutes of the game after the unmarked Muhammad Farez Aiman netted the equaliser from close range.
Meanwhile, Sabah FC’s next opponents are Kuching FC after their 4-3 aggregate win over Penang FC.
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