CONGRATULATIONS! Sabah FC has made its way to the finals of the MFL Challenge Cup following a narrow 1-0 victory over Perak FC at Likas Stadium on Wednesday.
The solitary goal of the match was scored by defender Gabriel Perez, who proved to be the hero for the team with a well-timed header, capitalisng on a well-placed cross from Muhammad Jafri Firdaus Chew.
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We started the match on the front foot, creating several scoring opportunities. However, despite Gabriel’s commendable goal, the inability to convert more chances into goals was a recurring theme.
The coach Juan Torres Garrido may have his reasons, but replacing players including Gabriel early in the second half saw the team losing the momentum.
The substitutions appeared to disrupt the team’s rhythm, allowing Perak FA to seize control of the match.
I am glad our defenc showcased remarkable resilience, holding strong against the relentless attacks from Perak FA.
Goalkeeper Damien Lim once again stood out by making crucial saves that kept the opposition at bay.
In the post-match interview, coach Garrido noted that his team’s performance was significantly affected by fatigue during the second half of the game.
He said it was an unexpected challenge. Despite having a solid first half, fatigue set in during the second half, ultimately impacting their performance.
His comments shed light on the rigorous schedule Sabah FC maintained over the past few weeks, with numerous games and away trips leading up to this tie that pushed the players to their limits.
I believe some fans may raise concerns over the team’s struggle to overcome Perak FA, but cup competitions are well-known for their thrilling unpredictability, where seemingly weaker teams can pull off major upsets against more favored opponents.
Perak FA may be a semi-pro team playing in the lower tier league, but for them to make it to the semi-final stage proved that they are a very strong opponent.
Well done to the boy! This hard-earned victory marks a significant achievement for Sabah FCas it is also our second final of the season following the FA Cup final appearance last December.
We were hammered 0-5 by Johor Darul Ta’zim FC on the night, but in this latest final to be played over two-leg on April 4 and April 19 against Penang FC, I believe the team stands a very good chance to win the trophy for the first time.
