YET another disappointment! Sabah FC only managed a 2-2 draw in the Super League match with host Immigration FC in Penang on Sunday.
Despite the return of Dominic Tan and Miguel Cifuentes in the starting first 11, Sabah FC looked out of sorts from the start.
Immigration FC were far more impressive in their game play. I thought our defensive line was so loose that Immigration FC had a field day in penetrating our goal space.
Thankfully, Damien Lim in goal managed to make a few good saves to deny the host taking a comfortable lead at half time and that would be really embarrassing indeed.
Only one goal was conceded in the first half that was scored by our former player Joao Pedro in the 27th minute. This also raised the question of the decision by Sabah FC management who opted to loan him out before the end of last season despite his proven scoring record.
We had a good start in the second half and were able to equalise in the 50th minute after a goalmouth scramble, in which Stuart Wilkin was at the right spot to drive home.
Three minutes later, we took the lead through Cifuentes, who worked tirelessly throughout the game with a well-placed shot at the far corner.
Our failure to extend the lead with missed opportunities in front of the goal allowed the home side to score the equaliser in the 77th minute.
It was a well-executed curved shot by Eduardo Sosa outside the box and again he was given the time and space to pick his target.
Sabah FC did score a late third goal but was later ruled out by VAR and the tie ended 2-2 with both teams still chasing their first win of the season.
Despite earning only one point from the match, Sabah FC moved up two rungs to 10th place with four points.
We are one place above DPMM with a better goal difference after the Brunei outfit were humiliated 10-0 by JDT FC. What a football league we are having! It was a sad scenario with JDT FC so polished and with their strong finances, they could afford to have the best among the best players available.
Without going into details, it is evidently clear that no one team in the league can go near them in the next 10 years or more.
Anyway, Sabah FC’s next match is the FA Cup quarter-final second leg against Kelantan The Red Warrior FC at Likas Stadium on Wednesday (October 29).
Hopefully the boys can recover on time to get the victory and qualify for the semi-final.
