Juniors lose top spot after loss
Published on: Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah President Cup squad suffered a shock 3-2 defeat to Pahang in the second round of their Group A tie at Likas Stadium on Monday.The Junior Rhinos, who had beaten the visitors 1-0 away earlier in the season, were under immerse pressure from the start.With captain Zaki Sapri out of the team serving a one-match suspension, and Ranilson Batuil who was unwell, the defence were not their usual selves.
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Within 15th minutes they were a goal down from a strike by Jadulhaq Sairul Fauzi, and it was only after that then the players started to play well and mounted waves of attacks towards the opponents half.However, despite their efforts, they were unable to find the net until Shariman Mukarim put a grounder past the Pahang goalkeeper in the 21st minute.They had several chances towards the end of the half to take the lead but failed to do so, and the best came from Ariusdius Dias who shot over the bar from close range.The team then had a disastrous start in the second half when Pahang captain Nik Muhd Sharif Haseefy Mohd Lazim capitalised on a defensive error to score his team's second in the 49th minute.
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The visitors played with more confidence after regaining the lead and Nik Muhd Sharif then added his second of the match in the 65th minute.Credit to the Sabah players, despite being two goals down and being the first time they conceded more than one goal in a match this season, they tried hard to come back.
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However, luck was not with them as Stanley Sulong and Yuseddy Yusiman each struck the post before Zulkifly Harun scored with a header in the 78th minute.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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