Kota Kinabalu: A depleted Sabah FC managed to earn one point in the Super League match against Kedah Darul Aman FC at the Darul Aman Stadium in Alor Setar on Saturday.
The absence of Park Taesu, Daniel Ting, Jafri Chew and Saddil Ramdani due to yellow card suspension saw the team struggle to find their rhythm.
It did not help the players’ confidence when S. Kumaahran was penalised and given a yellow card for raising his foot too high in the box following a corner kick in the 10th minute.
A spot kick was subsequently awarded to the home side after a long VAR review and Amirul Hisyam Awang Kechik made no mistake to strike home the opener.
Sabah FC could have conceded more goals if their opponents were more clinical in their finishing in the remaining half.
The equaliser came in the 61st minute when Darren Lok hit a stunner from 30 yards out. The setback did not deter Kedah Darul Aman FC as they continued to mount attacks to try to grab the three points, but Sabah FC’s defencers was able to hold firm until the final whistle.
Rhinos head coach Martin Stano admitted after the match that the early penalty was a big blow to the team.
“We came here intending to win the three points, but unfortunately it did not happen. We were a bit shocked due to the penalty and we found it hard to come back into the game.
“The transition was not there after losing the ball and the first half performance was not what we expected.
“We made some chances in the second half and the team played much better and managed to get the one point,” he said.
Sabah FC with the additional one point are now 40 points in third place, four ahead of Kuching City FC who have a match in hand.
If Kuching City FC fail to get a point from Johor Darul Ta’zim FC in their home match on Wednesday (April 16), then Sabah FC will be assured the third place finish this season with a match to spare.
Their season ending match is against Perak FC at Likas Stadium on Sunday (April 20).
