Kota Kinabalu: Sabah FC’s 27-year wait is over as they qualified for the FA Cup final after defeating Selangor FC 5-4 on penalties in the second leg semi-final at the MBSJ Stadium in Kelana Jaya on Sunday.
Goalkeeper Damien Lim was the hero on the night with two superb stops in the shoot-out after both teams were tied 3-3 after extra time.
He first dived to his right to block a weak effort from Harith Haiqal Adam Afkar to cancel out Ajdin Mujagic’s earlier miss before pushing away the strike from Mohammad Abualnadi to book Sabah FC’s spot in the final against Johor Darul Ta’zim FC on Dec 14.
The match played in an empty stadium saw Faisal Halim put the home side ahead in the 33rd minute after he was given a free run towards goal from midfield.
Sabah FC were able to equalise two minutes after the restart with defender Dane Ingham scoring a curved shot with his left foot.
Selangor FC regained the lead through Chrigor Moraes in the 51st minute after he was allowed to shoot from outside the box.
Ajdin then showed his poacher’s instinct to level the score in the 62nd minute as he was the quickest to react and poked in the loose ball after the initial effort from Stuart Wilkin struck the crossbar.
Selangor FC found themselves in front again 10 minutes later when Faisal scored from close range but it was soon cancelled out by Ajdin from the penalty spot in the 88th minute after Farhan Roslan was fouled inside the box.
In the shoot-out, Sabah FC’s goals were converted by Darren Lok, Stuart, Daniel Ting, R. Dinesh and Dane.
Head coach Jean-Paul de Marigny was proud of his players and praised their response after going behind thrice in the match.
“We started well in the first few minutes and then we stopped playing our passing game in the first half.
“It was about the reaction when we conceded one, so the start of the second half was very tremendous and they kept on believing and when you are brave, the game will reward you.
“The game is the desire not to lose with work ethic and everyone involved looking after each other.
“I am so very proud of the players and happy for the staff that work extremely hard and also for our supporters,” he said after the match.
