Kota Kinabalu: Sabah FC secured a decisive 2-0 win over PDRM FC in the quarter-final first leg of the MFL Challenge Cup at Likas Stadium on Sunday night.
The home side almost conceded a goal in the fifth minute and had goalkeeper Damien Lim to thank for when he pulled off a good save to deny Fakhrul Azim’s long range effort.
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After the nervy start, the team began to settle down and Fergus Tierney missed at least four scoring chances to put Sabah FC ahead in the first half.
The breakthrough only came in the 53rd minute when Dane Ingham found the net with a first-time volley from a long ball delivered by new signing Ernesto Amantegui Phumipha.
Fergus then made up for his early misses with a close-range finish five minutes later to put Sabah FC two-up.
Sabah FC could have added another goal on the night but Darren Lok who took the spot kick himself after he was fouled in the box in the 73rd minute saw his attempt saved by goalkeeper Nor Hakeem Hamidun.
Sabah FC’s acting head coach Alto Linus was proud of his players in the win, but admitted that the team was a bit rusty coming into the match.
“We didn’t start well in the first half. Our preparation was slightly disrupted after the last match against Melaka FC.
“There was no friendly match for the team during the two-week break, while PDRM had a game against Kuala Lumpur FC before coming here, but credit to the players for winning the match tonight,” he said.
He also commented on the performance of the newly signed imports and acknowledged the challenges faced by them.
“We know it is not easy for them to settle down so quickly after just coming in from their respective countries.
“It is important for us to provide them the support needed in overcoming the differences in time zones and adapting to the weather conditions here, but overall, they worked hard and tried to help the team,” he said.
He also called for improved performance from all the players in the return leg to be played on Feb 15.
