KOTA KINABALU: Sabah FC continued their good start of the Super League season as they secured their second win by beating Penang FC at Likas Stadium.
It was a commanding performance from the home team, but the players faced challenges due to heavy rain and strong winds that made conditions difficult for both teams from the start.
The breakthrough for Sabah FC arrived in the 40th minute when Gonzalo Di Renzo managed to beat the offside trap. He found the back of the net from close range after receiving a precise pass from Miguel Cifuentes.
They extended their lead in the 53rd minute when defender Hanafie Tokyo struck a powerful shot after a cutback from teammate Fayadh Zulkifli.
Despite creating several opportunities, Penang FC struggled to penetrate Sabah’s solid defence, resulting in the 2-0 defeat.
Sabah FC’s head coach Juan Torres Garrido praised the players for their solid performance despite the appalling condition.
“It was a solid performance from the players. We had a game plan. However, the conditions were not ideal, yet the players managed to leverage the advantage of a better pitch in the first half, allowing us to establish a strong foothold in the game.
“The pitch’s condition deteriorated in the second half, but they maintained their composure and continued to play effectively. It is a good sign they were able to perform well despite the adverse conditions,” he said.
Meanwhile, Penang FC’s team manager Wan Rohaimi Wan Ismail stated that his team’s main obstacle was not the heavy rain, but the strong winds that blew the ball off target, especially in the first half.
According to him, the condition completely ruined their game plan and led to mistakes that allowed Sabah FC to score the first goal.
“We struggled in the first half—not because of the rain, but the wind. It was so strong we couldn’t even kick the ball up the field. Fighting the wind was tough, and it cost us an easy goal in the final five minutes.
“We tried to fight back in the second half, but another mistake led to Sabah’s second goal. Overturning a two-goal deficit is always tough. While we generated scoring opportunities, our finishing just wasn’t sharp enough,” he said.
TERENGGANU FC (TFC) head coach Mohd Nafuzi Zain admitted that careless mistakes by his defensive line were the main reason for their 0-3 defeat to Selangor FC in a Super League match at Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium.
The former national Under-23 team coach said his players’ lapses in concentration proved costly, as they were punished with three goals in front of more than 11,000 spectators.
However, Nafuzi praised his players’ commitment and hard work, saying they continued to fight until the final minute of the match.
“We also failed to capitalise on several chances we had in the first half. We did not play as we should have and conceded three goals.
“Tonight, we lost to a strong team like Selangor. There are many things we can take from this match to further improve the team’s performance in the future,” he said.
Meanwhile, The Red Giants’ head coach Kim Pan Gon said his players had to endure strong resistance before securing the impressive victory.
The former Harimau Malaya head coach praised his players’ style of play and fighting spirit, which enabled them to score three goals in the second half.
“I think it was a very tough game… the environment, circumstances and hot weather. But we did a great job. I am very proud of our players. They gave 100 per cent in this game.
