Sabah U-19 thrash Bukit Jalil in dramatic comeback
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah under-19 squad fought back from a goal down to beat the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) Under-16 team 4-1 in the Youth Cup Group A tie at National Sports Council field yesterday.
The state juniors were stunned in the 34th minute when Mohd Aiman Fahmi put the host in front with a fine strike but defender Mohd Syamil Nizam Iqbal Khan equalised just six minutes later to send the teams into the breather tied 1-1.
In the second half, Sabah upped their game and it took them only 10 minutes to take the lead through Owen Piou’s effort, which was the midfielder’s second goal in as many games.
There was no stopping Sabah from there as striker Mohd Hizaz Lokman and midfielder Leonardo Lisua scored in the 61st and 75th minute to make sure of the maximum points.
The victory saw Sabah unbeaten in their last three matches, which were all away fixtures, and more importantly the squad moved up to third in the 11-team Group A.
Team manager Azman Mastar was a picture of happiness at the final whistle.
“I’m happy with the efforts from the players to make sure of the three points.
“We fell behind midway into the first half but the players responded well to equalise and never looked back to take all three points.
“We are now unbeaten in three games and we will continue to work hard to ensure we get the desired result,” he said after the match.
Head coach Mohd Aiyyman Shah Johny Abdullah said it was a well-deserved victory in what was their third straight game away from home.
“It was never easy to play in consecutive away matches inside one week and I am glad the boys showed great commitment to secure the win,” he said when contacted yesterday.
For the record, Sabah have played in five matches and collected 10 points from three wins, one draw and a defeat.
In fact, all of Sabah’s points were achieved in their away matches including the season opener victory over Felda United FC 2-1.
The juniors then lost 0-4 at home to SSMP-AMP Under16 before going unbeaten in their next three away matches against Perak PKNP FC (1-1), Selangor (1-0) and then BJSS U-16 (4-1).
Terengganu FC IV currently top Group A on 14 points from six matches followed by Kuala Lumpur (11 points) and Sabah (10 points), both with a game in hand over the leaders.
Sabah will play away again in their next fixtures where they will take on hosts Pahang on April 4.