Kota Kinabalu: Sabah FC returned to winning ways after they beat Kelantan United FC 2-0 in the FA Cup last 16 tie at the Likas Stadium on Saturday night.
The victory was their first in four matches following their two losses to Johor Darul Ta’zim FC (0-4) and Kuala Lumpur FC (0-2) and one draw with Negeri Sembilan FC (1-1) in the Super League played recently. Skipper Baddrol Bakhtiar, who was unlucky not to score in the match against Kuala Lumpur FC, opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a fine header from a cross by Raizal Ghazali.
Saddil Ramdani almost put them two up in the 35th minute but his shot from a free kick was turned away by the opposition’s goalkeeper Ilham Amirullah, and two minutes later Darren Lok also had an opportunity when he charged into the box despite being shadowed by two players but his shot was blocked by Ilham.
The home side continued their dominance in the second half and managed to extend their lead with substitute Stuart Wilkins placing the ball into the far corner following a cutback from Kwan Min Ho in the 59th minute.
SPONSORED CONTENT Shell’s Access to Energy helps power lives of isolated communities in Sabah Kota Kinabalu: In 2017, Sabah Shell Petroleum Co Ltd (SSPC) launched Access to Energy (A2E), a Shell Social Investment programme aimed at providing affordable and continuous supply of electricity from renewable sources for communities who live without connection to the electricity grid. Read more They nearly scored another two minutes later but Saddil was once again denied and this time by the crossbar.
Sabah FC’s head coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee said after the match that the win was very important following their three-game winless run in the Super League.
“The players displayed a very positive attitude and playing as a team with high spirit today and the victory is very important, especially without conceding after letting in a number of goals in our last three matches,” he said.
He added that the team needs to maintain their winning momentum but must also be aware that they cannot take their opponents lightly even with home advantage as they prepare to face Kelantan FC in the league tie on Wednesday (April 19).
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