Sabah Rhinos trounce Brunei

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Rhinos featuring mostly reserve players eased 5-0 past the Brunei Under-21 team in a friendly match at the Likas Stadium on Monday.

Ummareng Bacok bagged a brace and one each from Jenius Karib and Justin Samaan as well as a Brunei own goal completed the score.

Sabah went into the match with only Mohd Azzizan Nordin, who captained the side, Zambian Francis Kasonde and Jenius as head coach Jelius Ating's regulars in the Premier League.

Justin returned from a long injury lay-off to score the opener for Sabah. He played a neat onetwo with Leopold Alfonso Otong before sending a low drive to beat the Brunei goalkeeper in the 20th minute.

It was two-nil eight minutes later when Ummareng scored from a simple tap in despite the returning Rahman Shah Marajeh's seemed to have deliberately handled the ball when directing a cross from Leopold inside the box.

There was no stopping the Rhinos from then on as an owngoal from a Brunei defender made it 3-0 on the 36 minute of the match.

Jenius then added the fourth from a 30-metre free-kick that arrowed into the back of the net before Ummareng completed the five-goal blitz in the first half with a cool finish just before the half time break.

In the second half, Jelius sent on the fringe players to get them minutes on the pitch including Melky Balang, Elias Sulaiman and Mazalan Yahya for Azzizan, Justin and Rahman.

Mohd Azuan Abd Fattah and Alto Linus also entered the fray for Jenius and Kasonde shortly after before Leopold, Ricco Nigel Milus and Umai made way for Stanley Sulong, Mohd Aidil Safee and Dawira Sazan.

Goalkeeper Rozaimi Rohim and defenders Dendy Lowa and Randy Baruh were the only players to finish 90 minutes.

Meanwhile, the Rhinos are to face a much tougher opponents in Brunei DPMM FC on April 1 as they look for a quality game during the Premier League month-long break.

The Rhinos will resume the league with consecutive home matches against UiTM FC and Felda United FC on April 10 and April 14 respectively.