Sabah FC have themselves to blame for Terengganu draw
Published on: Sunday, May 21, 2023
By: GL Oh
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Telmo heads the ball for Sabah FC’s first goal against Terengganu FC.
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah FC only have themselves to blame for dropping points in their 2-2 draw in the Super League tie at Likas Stadium , Friday night.They were on course for the maximum points after taking a 2-1 lead when Sony Norde scored from a free kick six minute into injury time.
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The Haitian marksman also scored the first goal for the visitors in the first half injury time from another free kick.
Sabah FC started the game well and Telmo Castanheira headed in the opener from close range after a pinpoint delivery from a free kick taken by skipper Baddrol Bakhtiar in the 26th minute.
Darren Lok then added the second from the spot in the 37th minute after a penalty was given following a handball by Sardor Kulmatov inside the box before Sony reduced the deficit .
Head coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee admitted that his team was not at their best .
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“We did not play as well as we could and I believe Terengganu played much better in terms of possession.
“Although we managed to create some scoring chances, after taking a 2-1 lead at half time, we were unable to add another in the second half and this had put pressure on us.
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“As I had said earlier, Terengganu lost their last two matches before this and that they would try their very best not to return home without a point.
“But we also have ourselves to blame for giving them too much space and time , which they managed to control the game very well,” he said after the game.
He also said despite the absence of first choice players Saddil Ramdani due to injury and the suspended Rizal Ghazali in the starting line-up, the team started rather well .
“We all knew Rizal had to serve a yellow card suspension and Saddil was nursing an injury while Park (Taesu) had just returned from injury, but the players called upon played well and managed to take a two-goal lead.
“Unfortunately they failed to control the game after that and the goal was conceded in the last minute of first half.
“That should have been prevented and if it did not go in, the final result could have been very different,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sabah FC will next take on Perak FC at home on May 23 before facing Kuala Lumpur FC in the quarterfinal of the FA Cup competition also at Likas Stadium on May 28.
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