Kota Kinabalu: Sabah FC Under-23 squad ended their campaign in this season’s MFL Cup competition on a winning note at Likas Stadium on Monday night.
However, they were made to sweat before coming back from behind to beat FAM-MSN Project Squad 3-1 in the group A tie.
The visiting team comprising young talents from all over the country took a shock lead in the 8th minute after Sabah’s custodian Joffy Johin failed to make a clean catch from a rather weak strike from Nur Haikal Rahim.
Joffy then made amends for his error with a fingertip save to stop Sahil Husni in the 14th minute before Azhad Harraz scored the equaliser in the 31st minute following a mistake by the visitors’ defence.
Azhad who was paired upfront with Hizaz Lokman by head coach Johnny Dominicus for the match then volleyed home the second from a freekick taken by Umareng Bacok in the 43rd minute.
Sabah had a chance to extend the lead in the 86th minute but Faris Kamardi’s shot was denied by the crossbar before Richie Svenson slotted in the third goal deep into injury time.
Johnny said after the match that he was pleased with the performance of his players and the result delivered despite several changes made to the team.
Sabah FC finished the season in sixth place among the eight teams in the group with 12 points from three wins, three draws and eight losses.
