Kota Kinabalu: Sabah FC have missed out an automatic berth in the AFC Cup competition after losing 0-3 to Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) FC in their final Super League match at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Saturday night.
This followed Terengganu FC’s 3-1 win over Kedah FC in their final league match on the same night, and the results meant the Rhinos finished in third place in the final standing with 42 points, two behind Terengganu.
Sabah FC’s only hope to qualify for the AFC Cup now is to win the Malaysia Cup or to see JDT or Terengganu lifting the Cup.
This follows the Malaysian Football League’s (MFL) statement which states that if that happens, then the slot will be given to the team that finished third in the Super League.
The match on Saturday saw a depleted Sabah FC side with Park Taesu, Saddil Ramdani and Taiki Kagayama as their only foreign imports in the starting line-up.
The hosts were in total control from the start and the Sabah FC defence soon collapsed in the 17th minute when Bergson da Silva scored the opener with a close range strike.
The second came from Arif Aiman’s with a well taken free kick in the 39th minute before Bergson’s bicycle kick added the third in the 55th minute.
Sabah FC head coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee said after the match that JDT deserved the victory as the Rhinos were unable to play their best due to the absence of several first team players.
“We knew it was not going to be easy playing here and furthermore we did not have several of our first choice players for the match and this has given our opponent the advantage especially against a team like JDT.
“But to finish in third place this season is very good for the team, If not because of missing out on the automatic AFC slot, the whole team should have been celebrating our achievement.
“However, we shouldn’t give up hope as we still have the Malaysia Cup to play for and we will try our very best to progress as far as we can.”
Meanwhile, he praised Sabah Football Association (Safa) president Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin and the management team for their support in building the team this season, and hinted that more new players may join the team next season.
“We do not have depth in the team and we need more players next season to cover the positions left vacant due to injuries, suspensions and other issues.
“This season we can see a lot of hiccups, and certain departments that need to be rectified in order for us to improve further next season.”
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