Kota Kinabalu: Sabah FC went down fighting to Johor Darul Ta’zim FC 1-3 in the Super League match at Likas Stadium, Saturday night.
Despite missing Darren Lok, Saddil Ramdani up front, they took the game to the league leaders with S. Kumaahran and Jafri Chew both missing scoring chances after the team went a goal down in the 21st minute.
Sabah FC’s custodian Khairul Fahmi Che Mat failed to intercept the ball from a corner kick taken by Arif Aiman and Romel Morales was able to head home for the opener.
In the 31st minute, Kumaahran did well to escape his marker to shoot with his weaker left foot that narrowly missed the target.
Four minutes later, Jafri tried his luck from outside the box but shot straight at the goalkeeper instead.
The visitors then went two-up before the first half whistle when Romel added his second in the 44th minute after receiving a through ball from Francisco Geraldes.
Sabah FC continued to press in the second half and their efforts were rewarded in the 50th minute when they were awarded a penalty after Park Taesu was pulled down by Matthew Davies inside the box and Gabriel Peres had no problem scoring from the spot.
Any chance of a late equaliser was dashed deep into injury time, when the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) awarded a penalty to the visitors for a foul committed by Rawilson Bautil on Arif Aiman which was converted by Bergson.
Datuk Ong Kim Swee was upset with the result but praised the players for their fighting display.
“It was a disappointing result for sure. However, we were able to execute the game pattern that we wanted to play even without a few of our first choice players.
“The two goals conceded in the first half were the result of our own mistakes and that made our task even more difficult.
However, we were able to show our competitiveness and managed to score a goal in the second half, and the penalty conceded was very disappointing,” he said.
He also said the absence of Darren Lok and Saddil Ramdani due to injuries has opened the door for the local players.
“Azhad Harraz and Harith Naem were given the opportunity to show their capabilities. I believe they need more time to adjust but we can see that they have given their very best.”
Meanwhile the loss was Sabah FC’s first in the new season. They are in fourth place with seven points from two wins and one draw.
Their next match is away to Negri Sembilan FC at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium on July 27.
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