Kota Kinabalu: Sabah came from behind to beat Johor 2-1 with an injury time winner in their opening match of the President Cup competition at the Likas Stadium on Thursday.Super League player Rozaimie Rahman was the toast of the team as he scored two second half goals to seal the tie.
Sabah started the match with a surprise as they opted for Robson Rining in goal ahead of the more experienced Andre Tipay.
The match was barely sixth minutes old when Robson misjudged a long shot by the Johor captain to allow the goal to go in.
Despite the setback, Sabah was soon in the attack in search of the equaliser.
Driven by the senior trio of Rozaimie, Leopold Aphonso and Sabri Sahar, the visiting team was on the backfoot for the rest of the half.
Leopold and Rozaimie both had several chances to score but all their attempts were thwarted by the Johor keeper. Radzi who was at the top of his game single-handedly denied the home team with at least six brilliant saves in the first half.
Sabah started the second half with the same tempo and they were all over the Johor half. Rozaimie and Leopold were again the driving force with their darting runs into the box. The players were able to unleash several shots on target but again the Johor defence stood firm.
It wasn't until the 66th minute that they managed to break their duck.
It was the result of an early shot by Zackalani Antanom which hit the post and rebounded into Rozaimie's path and he made no mistake with a powerful shot that screamed past Radzi into the far corner.
Sabah remained on top for the rest of the match but their search for the winner was coming to nought as Johor was contented to play deep and hope for a draw.
However, their relentless attacks finally paid off in the dying minutes of the match when substitute Razid Gafar unleashed a shot from outside the box that the keeper spilled and allowed Rozaimie the simple task of heading into the empty net.
Team Manager Juil Nuatin said after the match that he was very pleased with the result.
"We controlled the game from the start. It was just unlucky at the start with the goal conceded but we battled through and had created so many chances and what is important was the final result where we won the three points."
Coach Johnny Dominicus was also happy with the win and he said the team could have played better.
"It was the first match of the season and the pressure was there especially with many new faces in the team. The early season jitters from some of them was expected."
"I must say the tactical change in the second half with Rozaimie and Zackalani switching places paid off for the team."
