Kota Kinabalu: Sabah FC scraped past Penang FC in a 2-1 victory at the City Stadium on Sunday.
Head coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee said it was a vital three points for his team after losing to Selangor FC 0-1 in the previous game.
Sabah FC’s players eager to bounce back from the disappointment went ahead in the ninth minute after absorbing earlier pressure when Irfan Fazail who was at the right place to tap in from an off-target strike by Daniel Ting.
Newly-signed import Ramon Machado then put them two-up in first half injury time with a header from a perfect cross delivered by Daniel Ting.
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He saw his first effort cleared off the line in the 47th minute followed with a header that just went over the crossbar.
Penang FC’s substitute Alif Ikmalrizal Anuar then beat the offside trap to score in the 76th minute.
His goal set up a nervy finish but Sabah FC managed to hold off the late rally from the home side to secure only their fourth win away from home this season.
“Three very important points for us tonight. We played rather well in the first half and in the second half as well.
“Unfortunately we failed to take our chances and we became too relaxed later in the game that allowed them to score.
“But we managed to defend our one-goal advantage until the very last minute. However, this cannot be repeated, especially playing at our opponents’ ground because once we concede the first goal, it will put immense pressure on us,” said Ong after the match.
Despite the win, Sabah FC remain in fifth place and only one point adrift of third place Kedah FC and Sri Pahang FC in fourth place, but both teams have a game in hand.
They will next take on Johor Darul Ta’zim FC in the league at Likas Stadium on August 9.
The match will be preceded by the Malaysia Cup round 16 tie against Kuching City FC this Saturday (August 5).
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