Kota Kinabalu: Sabah FC brushed aside Melaka FC 4-0 in a friendly match held at Likas Stadium on Wednesday night.
It was the Rhinos’ second pre-season match following their 6-0 win over Singapore’s Premier League side Geylang International FC last Saturday.
Newly signed striker Jacob Njoku who played for Kelantan United FC last season struck the opener from the edge of the box in the 26th minute.
Another new recruit Talmo Castanheira added the second with a header in the 39th minute before Stuart Wilkin put the home side three-nil up from close range two minute before the first half whistle.
Sabah FC failed to repeat their dominant display in the second half and the visitors were able to raise their game with some threatening runs at Sabah defence but were unable to find the target while Brazilian new signing Jailton Da Silva punished them with the fourth deep into injury time to the delight of the home supporters .
Despite their prowess in attacks with 10 goals scored in two matches and managed a clean sheet, Sabah FC head coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee was not too pleased with their defensive play.
“It was good to have all the players on the list to play in the match. Once again, I wasn’t looking at the result and there are still some weaknesses especially in the second half where we allowed them to create some openings.
“Therefore it is very important that we are able to rectify these weaknesses before the next match (friendly) against Tampine Rovers FC (February 18),”he said.
Sabah FC are due to play PDRM FC in the season opener on February 25 here at home.
Ong had earlier said he hoped to build a well balanced team ahead of the long Super League season which will only end in December.
Apart from the league competition, they will also be involved in the FA Cup and Malaysia Cup as well as the AFC cup competition .
