Ramos saves Sabah with equaliser
Sabah came back from a goal down to force a 1-1 draw against Johor Darul Takzim II (JDT II) at the Likas Stadium last night.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah came back from a goal down to force a 1-1 draw against Johor Darul Takzim II (JDT II) at the Likas Stadium last night.
The outcome in front of around 4,300 fans ensured Sabah put a stop to their run of two defeats in the Premier League.
The Rhinos started the game with some suprises as striker Rahman Shah Marajeh and defender Dendy Lowa were handed their first start in the campaign after injuries and illness robbed the team of regulars Mohd Azzizan Nordin and Jenius Karib.
Sabah, who also missed captain Rawilson Batuil through suspension, never moved out from first gear as their attacks lacked the usual urgency and energy to trouble the visitors.
And for the first half-hour there was little goalmouth action.
The first real chance of the game only came in the 36th minute which unfortunately favoured JDT II.
Former Sabah's golden boy Rozaimi Abdul Rahman evaded the offside trap with a clever run in between defenders Randy Baruh and Francis Kasonde to collect a through ball before smashing the ball home past goalkeeper Robson Rendy Rining.
Sabah did threatened for the equaliser late in the first half but Rahman and Hector Ramos headed efforts failed to trouble Ernest Wen Hao Weng in JDT II goal.
Head coach Jelius Ating introduced Justin Samaan for the half-fit Heo Jaenyeong at the start of the second period but still failed to lift the hosts' game.
JDT II had much of the ball but failed to create anything meaningful at the other end.
The mood within the stadium however changed in the 67th minute when Ramos scored from a header.
Midfielder Sabri Sahar delivered one of his trademark crosses into the box and the Puerto Rican international needed just the slightest of touch to divert the ball past Ernest.
Hopes were high for Sabah to go for the winning goal late on but the JDT II backline led by the lanky Bruno Gabriel Soares stood firm to guard their goal.
With the result, Sabah ended the league first round with 14 points from 10 matches where they registered three wins, five draws and two losses.