Sabah women make soccer history
Published on: Monday, September 02, 2024
By: GL Oh
The Sabah FA women footballers celebrate the historic win after the game.
Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah FA women’s football team made history by reaching the group stage of the AFC Women’s Champions League (AWCL) 2024 to be held in China
They defied the odds with an upset 2-1 win over hot favourites AFC Nasaf 2-1 in the final Group C tie of the preliminary rounds at Likas Stadium on Saturday.
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Sabah FA goalkeeper Nurul Azurin Mazlan produced another outstanding display, but it was the two goals scored by another import player Win Theingi Tun from Myanmar that sealed their place in the group stage.
Sabah FA needed the win and three points to top the group while their Uzbekistan opponents only needed a point to progress following their 1-0 win over APF FC in the early match.
The first 10 minutes was evenly matched although Nur Azulin was forced to make a crucial block in the first minute.
Sabah FA had two scoring chances during this period, but Henrietta Justine and Intan Serah both slipped as they were through on goal.
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It was all AFC Nasaf after that with Sabah FA’s players keeping busy to defend their goal until Win scored the opener against the run of play in the 32nd minute.
The opposition’s goalkeeper Gulomova Kumushoy was unable to stop her shot from going in following a layoff from Henrieta who had earlier received the ball from Siti Serah.
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AFC Nasaf had several opportunities to draw level after the setback but was wasteful in their finishing and Julianka Barek also did well to stop a goal-bound shot before it was headed clear by Siti Nurfaizah Saitin.
Gulomova then made another error in the 41st minute when she conceded a penalty following a clash with Henrieta as she tried to catch the ball spilled by her from a free kick taken by Steffi Sarge Singh.
Although she was able to block the initial shot from the spot kick taken by Eri Narita, she was left helpless when Win reacted the quickest to slot home the rebound to double the lead.
AFC Nasaf continued their dominance in the second half but again unable to find the target until the 66th minute when Karachik Lyudmila put the ball in the net but her effort was ruled offside.
Sabah FA’s defence finally caved in eight minutes before normal time as Alvine Ngonja’s close range shot reduced the deficit, but despite their desperate attempts, AFC Nasaf were unable to score the second goal until the final whistle.
Head coach Justin Ganai admitted that it was an unexpected result and praised the players for their spirited display.
“I must thank my players. It was not an easy job but they did very well to get the victory.
“This win is for all Malaysians especially Sabahans and Chief Minister Datuk Hajiji Mohd Noor as we are celebrating Sabah Day today.
“I must also thank Sabah FA for the support and our team manager Arziz Afizy for his effort to ensure the success of this team,” he said.
In the next round, Sabah FA are drawn in Group A with Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC from China, Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC of Korea and UAE’s Abu Dhabi Country Club.
Justin said they will soon start their preparation and reckoned it will be an even difficult task but hopes the players will deliver their best.
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