GOOD job Sabah FC! Our players showed true grit and determination to edge out Selangor FC in the second leg semi-final FA Cup tie played in an empty MBPJ stadium on Sunday.
It was a nail-biting affair and the match went into penalty shootout with the score tied at 3-3 after extra time, and eventually Sabah FC won the spot kick 5-4.
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The victory on Sunday was really impressive as we had to come back three times in the full 90 minutes of the game.
Selangor FC were the first to open the scoring through Faisal Halim in the 32nd minute. Sabah FC hit back in the 47th minute to level the score with an opportunity strike from Ajdin Mujagic.
The home side went ahead again in the 51st minute through Chrigor Moraes, but Sabah FC did not crack and came back with the equaliser in the 62nd minute.
Faisal then scored his team’s third in the 72nd minute to make it 3-2. Sabah FC never looked like giving up and Ajdin was on the scoresheet for the second time from the spot after Faisal Roslan was fouled.
It was heart-stopping action throughout the match and Selangor FC could have scored the winner towards the end of extra time, but Chrigor drove his shot wide with only Damien Lim to beat.
The follow-up shoot-out added further drama after Ajdin who took the first ball saw his shot saved by the keeper, while Selangor FC converted their first four attempts.
With the score 4-3 to the home side after Darren Lok, Stuart Wilkin, R. Dinesh had scored for Sabah FC, Damien came to the rescue by stopping the fifth penalty taken by Harith Haiqal Adam Afkar.
Sabah FC then took the lead for the first time after Dane Igham converted his and Damien wrote himself into history with another excellent save from Mohd Majed Jamil Abualnadi to send Sabah FC to the final.
Our opponent on December 14 is none other than Johor Darul Ta’zim FC, who comfortably beat Kuching City FC on aggregate score.
Congratulations to the boys for their great fighting spirit to walk away victorious as an underdog in the match against a very experienced side.
It was a very satisfying moment for the fans especially with our difficult start to the league season.
I am very proud of the team. This will also be our fifth final appearance and we had only won the cup once in 1995 with the 3-1 victory over Pahang.
