Rhinos undone by quick counters
Published on: Saturday, December 16, 2023
By: James Wong
WHAT we had hoped for was dashed last night (Thursday) at Likas Stadium.
We crashed to a 1-3 defeat to PSM Makassar FC in the last AFC Cup group stage tie. This was the same team that we thrashed 5-0 in the first round tie held at their home ground in Indonesia.
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Though match statistic showed that Sabah FC had 73 per cent of play against PSM’s 27 per cent, we were unfortunately at the losing end.
Not that we had fielded reserves in the game, we lost because of their counter attacks starting with a brilliant goal by Yakob Sayuri in the 15th minute.
It was a spectacular strike as he fired a long range shot into the top left corner from outside the box after receiving the ball from Kenzo Nambu.
To make matters worse, Sabah FC conceded an own goal by Dominic Tan in the 35th minute after Everton Nascimento’s cross hit his leg and wrong footed Rhinos goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat following a quick breakaway which started from their own box.
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That practically took the wind out of Sabah FC even though we were dominating in passes.
Despite the possessions, we were unable to make any headway to get through the PSM defence.
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A lifeline came for Sabah FC in the 74th minute when Telmo Castanheira headed home from a corner kick taken by Saddil Ramdani.
But despite the goal, the game looked literally over as Sabah FC’s players looked tired and were unable to produce the comeback that the crowd had hoped for.
PSM then made it 3-1 in the extra minutes of play through a penalty converted by Everton after Ricky Pratama, who was clear on goal, was floored by Rizal Ghazali inside the box.
Congratulations to PSM Makassar who fought from the first whistle until the end for a victory they fully deserved.
While the loss did not affect the standing of Sabah FC in Group H as they had already qualified for the next round before the game, the focus now is towards the last and final match in the Super League against Kedah FC this Sunday.
I hope Sabah FC can pick up their game and be more effective in the attacks. Perhaps the loss to PSM Makassar was a good eye opener and coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee can rectify the glaring weaknesses in the team.
So let’s forget the loss to PSM Makassar and put our 100 per cent focus on the game against Kedah FC.
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