Kota Kinabalu: Sabah FC edged PDRM FC 1-0 in the Malaysia Super League encounter at the Likas Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Rhinos skipper Dominic Tan headed in the only goal of the game in the 42nd minute from a corner kick delivered by Saddil Ramdani.
The victory also avenged the 1-2 defeat by PDRM FC early in the season last July.
Despite playing with the home ground advantage, it was the visitors who were the more aggressive side from the start.
Rhinos goalkeeper Damien Lim made a crucial save in the 11th minute to deny defender Kyaw Min Oo’s looping header from going in before Daniel Ting cleared the danger.
Five minutes later, Dominic threw his body on the ground to block a shot by Muhd Eizrul Ashraf Noe Effendy, who also missed another opportunity in the 27th minute with a tame shot straight at Damien.
PDRM FC had a great chance to draw level two minutes after the restart when Aremu Timothy Oluwaseun had a clear run on goal but Rawilson Batuil was quick to kick away the ball from his feet before he could pull the trigger.
Minutes later at the other end, S. Kumahraan shot sky high from close range and Darren Lok was denied by the visitors’ goalkeeper Nor Hakeem Hamidun.
Damien then made two great saves from Mohd Safiee Ahmad and Bruno Junichi Suzuki while Miguel Angel Garrido Cifuentes also cleared the ball off the line in the dying minutes to secure the three points.
Head coach Martin Stano was pleased with the team’s win after the one month break.
“It was a tough game today for the players especially after the Ramadan and Hari Raya celebration. We did not have a competitive match for one month and it was difficult for the players.
“We seemed to lack confidence at the start and gave away a lot of spaces to our opponents that allowed them to create some shooting chances.
“But in the second half, we came out much stronger and played better. It was more open with both teams creating many scoring chances.
“In the end, we have to be happy to get the three points at Likas Stadium and we are now one step closer to our target of finishing third,” he said.
Sabah FC are now in third place following the win, three points ahead of Kuching City FC in the table standing with two more matches to go.
The Rhinos will next take on Kedah FC away on April 12 before the season-ending tie against Perak FC at home on April 20.
