Kota Kinabalu: Luckless Sabah President Cup squad drew 1-1 with PKNP at the Likas Stadium on Thursday.The home team dominated the game but were unable to break the stubborn visitors' defence and PKNP also had the referee to thank for with a controversial decision.Sabah who were hoping for a winning start in the new season took the lead as early as in the 10th minute when Fazriel Hanafi Stephanus opened the scoring with a looping header that beat the keeper at the far right corner.
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The players were in control after that as the visiting team which featured several players from their Sukma-winning squad in Kuching failed to mount any dangerous moves and only opted for a defensive strategy that worked against the onslaught by Sabah.The restart saw PKNP mounting a lightning attack from the opening whistle that caught Sabah off guard and with Sabah's players completely losing focus, they easily found the equaliser with a strike by Muhd Aizzat Maidin Koty.
That was the only noteworthy attacking move that the visitors had in the second half as Sabah regained control with waves of attacks but they just could not find the net.Hamran Peter did manage to put one in the net late in the half but the referee ruled a foul had been committed earlier even though the keeper was clearly knocked down by his own defender in the box.
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Team manager Datuk Juil Nuatin was pleased with the players even though they failed to take advantage of home support.
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"It was just unlucky for us. The result was not that good but I am very happy with the players' overall performance. Maybe it was their first game because some players were not playing at their best but still we were in total control and the goal was just very unfortunate.
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"I hope they can learn from their mistakes and play to their full potential in the next game against PKNS on March 2," he said after the match. - GL Oh
