Draw denies safety for Rhinos
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah must wait to confirm their Premier League safety after they were held 1-1 by Johor Darul Takzim II (JDT II) at the Likas Stadium last night.
The Rhinos captain Rawilson Batuil headed Sabah in front only for Muhammad Hadi Fayydah Abd Razak to equalise.
A victory coupled with favourable results elsewhere would have secured Sabah their Premier League safety but the wait continues.
Sabah remained eighth after the game and moved to 21 points with four games to play.
The match got off to a quick start with both teams using every inch of the pitch playing an open, attacking game.
Sabah’s Lee Gil Hoon and JDT II’s Muhammad Hadi Fayydah Abd Razak had chances inside five minutes of play but went begging.
It set the tone for an exciting first half from the teams, although there were little goalmouth actions to go with their enterprising displays.
The much anticipated first goal of the night finally arrived in the 31st minute with midfielder Sabri Sahar, the two-goal hero against MISC-MIFA, getting the assist.
Rawilson was unmarked at the far post to head home a perfectly floated free-kick from Sabri to send the over 3,000 fans into a frenzy.
JDT II bounced back and replied with Hadi Fayydah’s shot in a goalmouth melee following Nicolas Albverto Fernandez’s free kick which flew across the face of the goal in the 38th minute.
The visitors however were not to be denied in their next bold attack and from another of Fernandez’s free kick, Hadi Fayydah, who was one of three unmarked JDT II players at the far post, headed the ball into the danger area.
Sabah’s Zambian defender Francis Kasonde failed to clear and Shafiq was at the right place and time to beat goalkeeper Rozaimie Rohim from close range for the equaliser one minute before the first half whistle was blown.
The play, as expected, ran at a slower pace when the teams returned for the second period but JDT II grew stronger as the match showed a slight edge over their hosts in terms of ball possession.
The Rhinos however kept their opponents at bay with Rozaimie displaying a safe pair of hands with the numerous chances that JDT II created.
Sabah might have scored what could have been the winning goal in a rare attack in the 75th minute but Paunovic missed the target from a tight angle after receiving a low cross from Lee.
JDT II assistant coach Mohd Hamzani Omar then introduced former national and Sabah team striker Md Rozaimi Abd Rahman to loud cheers from the adoring home fans but he could not inspire his team to victory.
Sabah seemed to find renewed energy late on but could not find the back of the net.
The Rhinos will next face the Armed Forces (ATM)) at the Proton Tanjung Malim Stadium in Perak on August 4.