KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Tambadaus’s latest recruit Aguinaldo Veiga Mendes marked his debut with a stunning goal in the team’s 1-0 victory over UKM FC in a match that finished at 1am, Saturday, at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras.
The Angolan striker, signed only on Monday, made the difference in a tightly contested match in the 49th minute with a well taken half volley after the home side’s goalkeeper punched the ball straight onto his path.
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The victory was also the team’s third consecutive win in the competition and put them in second place in the table standing with 24 points, just a point behind leaders JDT II, while in third place is UiTM with 23 points.
The match which started at 10pm Friday night was interrupted for more than an hour after the floodlights in the stadium went off in the 37th minute and it took more than an hour before power was restored.
Team manager Henry Saimpon was pleased with the three points earned despite the slim win.
“I am glad the team managed to win the match eventhough we only won by a single goal. It made no difference whether we won big or small. What important was for the team to take the three points,” he said on Saturday.
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Sabah also had goalkeeper Rozaimie Rohim to thank for, as he brilliantly pushed away a powerful spot kick from Michael Ijezie after the match referee penalised left back Evan Wensley Wenceslaus for a foul on Wan Mohammad Faiz inside the box in the ninth minutes, which drew strong protest from the Sabah players.
Rozaimie made two crucial saves on the night with the second in the 82nd minute after he dived to his left to turn away a fierce shot from substitute Muhd Baqiuddin Shamsudin.
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Sabah also had a chance to extend their lead but Rodoljub Paunovic’s dipping shot was tipped over by UKM’s keeper in the 88th minute.
Aguinaldo with another import player Ahmet Mendes from Turkmenistan who also made his first appearance for Sabah in midfield received praise from Henry.
“It was only their first match for us and I am very happy with their commitment. I believe they are able to contribute more in our coming matches.
“However, credit must be given to all the players who have worked so hard for the victory. It was not an easy three points.
We had to survive a penalty scare early in the game, and also had to endure the long delay caused by the blackout that halted the match for more than an hour before it resumed again.
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“We are definitely very happy to come out as winner from the match and Azizan Nordin was also voted best player as well,” he added.
Sabah will next take on Penang away on Saturday (May 25) before their next home match against Negeri Sembilan at Likas Stadium on June 15.
